New Delhi: India’s judicial leadership underwent significant restructuring on Thursday as the Central Government officially notified the appointment of new Chief Justices to two High Courts and the transfer of an incumbent Chief Justice, acting on the recommendations of the Supreme Court Collegium.
These changes reflect routine yet critical adjustments within the judiciary, designed to maintain continuity, seniority, and administrative efficiency across high courts in the country.
Background: How High Court Appointments and Transfers Are Made
Under Article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President makes appointments and transfers of High Court Chief Justices and judges, acting on the advice of the Central Government, which in turn considers the recommendations of the Supreme Court Collegium — a body comprising the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and senior Supreme Court judges. This two-tiered process aims to balance judicial independence with executive oversight.
Appointments and transfers of High Court judges are essential for:
- Upholding judicial efficiency, especially in courts with high pendency.
- Ensuring the seniority principle and equitable distribution of judicial experience.
- Addressing upcoming retirements and resulting vacancies.
Major Judicial Reshuffle on the First Day of 2026
Here are the major judicial reshuffle on the 1 January;
1. Justice Soumen Sen Transferred to Kerala High Court
Justice Soumen Sen, who was serving as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, has been transferred to the Kerala High Court to assume the position of Chief Justice.
This transfer aligns with the impending retirement of the incumbent Kerala Chief Justice, whose term ends on 9 January 2026.
Upon retirement, Justice Sen will take charge as Kerala HC’s Chief Justice, ensuring no leadership gap in the state’s judicial system.
This move reinforces the practice of transferring Chief Justices to states where vacancies are imminent and provides continuity in judicial leadership.
2. Justice Revati P. Mohite Dere Appointed as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court
The Centre cleared the appointment of Justice Revati Mohite Dere, a judge of the Bombay High Court, as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.
This elevation follows the transfer of Justice Soumen Sen to Kerala.
Justice Dere was recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium in its December 18, 2025 meeting and subsequently cleared by the Central Government.
She had been serving on the Bombay High Court bench since her elevation as an additional judge in 2013 and permanent judge in 2015.
Her appointment marks a notable leadership change for the judiciary in the Northeast and reinforces gender representation in senior judicial positions.
3. Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo Elevated as Chief Justice of Patna High Court
Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, a senior judge of the Orissa High Court, has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.
His elevation follows collegium recommendations and was notified by the Department of Justice on 1 January 2026.
Justice Sahoo’s transfer aims to ensure experienced leadership at one of India’s oldest and most vital judicial institutions.
Pending Collegium Recommendations
Despite the recent notifications, several appointments recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium remain pending with the Central Government, including:
- Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta (Allahabad High Court), recommended as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court
- Justice M.S. Sonak (Bombay High Court), recommended for Jharkhand High Court chief justice role
- Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque (Kerala High Court), recommended for Sikkim High Court chief justice position
These appointments are expected to be cleared soon, ahead of upcoming retirements and expanding judicial workload.
