New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has said that teamwork is an important factor when selecting judges for elevation to the Supreme Court of India. He explained that judges must work together to manage the growing number of cases and ensure the smooth functioning of the country’s highest court.
Speaking at a felicitation event organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on November 4, 2026, he also highlighted seniority, performance, regional representation and diversity as important factors in judicial appointments.
Supreme Court Judge Elevation: CJI Surya Kant Highlights The Importance Of Teamwork
CJI Surya Kant said that the Supreme Court is handling a huge number of case filings. He compared the court’s workload to a T20 cricket match, where judges must work efficiently as a team.
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He explained that the ability to work with other judges is one of the factors he considers while recommending candidates for elevation to the Supreme Court.
According to the CJI, the growing number of cases shows that people have increasing trust in the judiciary. However, it also creates challenges by increasing the number of pending cases.
Factors Considered In Supreme Court Judicial Appointments
The CJI explained that the Supreme Court Collegium considers several factors while recommending judges for elevation. These factors include:
- Seniority: The experience and position of a judge in the judicial system.
- Performance: The quality and quantity of a judge’s work.
- Regional Representation: Representation of different regions of India.
- Diversity: Bringing different backgrounds and experiences to the Supreme Court.
- Teamwork: The ability to work effectively with other judges.
He said that judges must have the ability to contribute to the Supreme Court as team members because of its increasing workload.
SCBA Organises Felicitation For Newly Appointed Supreme Court Judges
The Supreme Court Bar Association organised the felicitation ceremony to honour Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh.
Both judges took oath as Supreme Court judges on October 6, 2026, along with Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya.
The event was held at the Main Auditorium of the Supreme Court’s Administrative Buildings Complex. Several senior judges, government law officers and members of the legal community attended the programme.
CJI Surya Kant praised the experience and professional abilities of the newly appointed judges.
CJI Praises Justice Sunita Agarwal’s Administrative Experience
CJI Surya Kant praised Justice Sunita Agarwal for her judicial and administrative abilities.
He particularly appreciated her work on improving judicial infrastructure in Gujarat. He described her as a strong administrator who had contributed beyond her responsibilities as a judge.
Justice Agarwal also spoke about her journey in the legal profession. She described herself as an ordinary girl from a small town who dared to dream.
She recalled her early years at the Allahabad High Court, where some members of the Bar questioned how she would survive in the legal profession.
She said that her experience at the Allahabad High Court helped her learn the basics of law, while her time at the Gujarat High Court gave her further professional experience.
Addressing young women lawyers, she encouraged them to create their own opportunities instead of waiting for opportunities to come to them.
CJI Highlights Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh’s Judicial Experience
CJI Surya Kant also praised Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh for his judicial experience and contribution to the legal system.
He recalled Justice Singh’s tenure as Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court. During this period, an old case that had remained pending for more than 10–12 years was decided.
Justice Singh also addressed the gathering and spoke about his long journey in the legal profession.
He said that he had come to Delhi around 42 years ago as a student and studied law at the University of Delhi.
Reflecting on his 22 years at the Bar, he said that lawyers must remember the human stories behind every legal case.
He explained that a case may be one among hundreds for a court, but it can be the most important matter in the life of the person seeking justice.
Supreme Court Judge Elevation: CJI Emphasises Strong Relationship Between The Bench And The Bar
CJI Surya Kant also highlighted the importance of a healthy relationship between the Bench and the Bar.
He said that lawyers contribute to the development of law through legal arguments, independent views, research and professional knowledge.
He added that judges must remain open to good arguments and constructive criticism from lawyers.
According to the CJI, both judges and lawyers have an important role in strengthening the justice system.
SCBA President Calls For Protection Of Judicial Independence
SCBA President Pradeep Kumar Rai also addressed the gathering and discussed the importance of protecting the reputation and independence of the judiciary.
He stressed that attempts to damage the image of judicial institutions require an appropriate institutional response.
Rai said that freedom of expression must be protected, but the integrity and independence of constitutional institutions must also remain safe. He also thanked the CJI for supporting welfare initiatives for lawyers.
These initiatives included improvements to the ladies’ bar room, canteen facilities, medical services and training opportunities for lawyers in arbitration.
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He compared the Supreme Court to a T20 match because of the increasing number of case filings and the need for judges to work efficiently as a team to manage the workload.
CJI Surya Kant considers teamwork, seniority, judicial performance, regional representation and diversity while recommending judges for elevation to the Supreme Court.
Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh were honoured at the Supreme Court Bar Association’s felicitation ceremony. Both had taken oath as Supreme Court judges on October 6, 2026.
