Raipur: In a key development in India’s judicial appointments framework, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended that Justice Arvind Kumar Verma — currently serving as an Additional Judge at the Chhattisgarh High Court — be made a permanent judge of the same court.
The December 2, 2025 resolution reflects the Collegium’s assessment that Justice Verma’s work, integrity, and judicial temperament make him well-suited for elevation to a permanent judgeship.
The recommendation will now be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice for further action and eventual approval by the President of India.
Background of Permanent Appointment of Justice Arvind Kumar Verma
India’s constitutional framework mandates a Collegium system for judicial appointments to the Higher Judiciary — including High Courts. The Collegium, typically consisting of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and several senior Supreme Court judges, evaluates candidates proposed for elevation on the basis of merit, legal acumen, experience and judicial conduct.
Appointments to High Courts — whether as additional or permanent judges — are made with an aim to uphold the rule of law and strengthen judicial administration across the country.
Justice Arvind Kumar Verma’s journey to the High Court Bench began with his recommendation by the Collegium in January 2024 for judgeship. Subsequently, he was sworn in as an Additional Judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court on January 23, 2024.
Additional judges are typically appointed for a period of two years, after which their performance is reviewed before confirming them as permanent judges — subject to the availability of sanctioned vacancies.
Collegium’s Recommendation: Key Highlights
Meeting and Resolution
The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by the Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant along with other senior judges, adopted the resolution on December 2, 2025, recommending that Justice Arvind Kumar Verma — then serving as an Additional Judge — be elevated as a Permanent Judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court.
Basis for Recommendation
The Collegium’s recommendation reflects a holistic evaluation of Justice Verma’s tenure, including:
- Consistent judicial performance across civil, criminal, and constitutional matters;
- Judgments noted for clarity, balanced reasoning, and adherence to constitutional principles;
- Positive feedback from the Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court, and inputs provided by the Governor and Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh;
- Reports from intelligence agencies indicating no adverse material against Justice Verma’s professional conduct.
This thorough assessment underscores the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that judges appointed to permanent positions meet the highest standards of probity and competence.
Chhattisgarh High Court: Context and Judicial Strength
The Chhattisgarh High Court, headquartered in Bilaspur, currently functions with a sanctioned strength of 22 judges but has been operating with a reduced bench strength of 16 judges.
Filling vacancies through permanent appointments is essential to ensure timely adjudication of matters and to prevent case backlogs.
With Justice Verma’s confirmation as a permanent judge, the High Court’s judicial capacity will be bolstered, thereby aiding in the efficient delivery of justice across the state.
Profile of Justice Arvind Kumar Verma
Justice Verma’s judicial career reflects a steady rise through the ranks of India’s legal system. Having entered the higher judiciary after his appointment as an additional judge, his tenure on the bench has been marked by judicious handling of a range of legal issues.
Prior to his elevation, he served in various capacities including as a district and sessions judge, contributing significantly to the administration of justice at multiple levels.
His recorded involvement in resolving cases of diverse legal complexity has helped establish a reputation for judicial fairness, making him a fitting candidate for a permanent judgeship.
