New Delhi: The Government of India officially notified the appointment of Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court, marking a significant development in the Indian judiciary ahead of the scheduled retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice.
This appointment follows the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium and continues the constitutional tradition of judicial leadership transfer within India’s High Courts.
Background of Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta Appointment
The notification issued by the Department of Justice under the Union Ministry of Law and Justice confirms that Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, currently serving as a judge of the Allahabad High Court, will assume office as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court upon the superannuation of the present Chief Justice, Justice Guhanathan Narendar, on January 9, 2026.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal shared the official notification on social media, stating:
> “In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, the President of India, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, Judge, Allahabad High Court as Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of the office consequent upon the superannuation of Shri Justice Guhanathan Narendar.”
This transition underscores the procedural collaboration between the Executive and the Judiciary as envisaged under Article 217(1) of the Constitution of India.
Who is Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta
Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta is the chief justice of Uttarakhand high court. His education and career are as follows;
Born: October 9, 1964.
Legal Education: Graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Lucknow University in 1987 and enrolled as an advocate later that year on December 6, 1987.
Before his elevation to the bench, Justice Gupta practised primarily on civil, rent control, and constitutional law matters.
Judicial Career and Elevation: Elevated as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court on April 12, 2013.
- Took oath as a Permanent Judge on April 10, 2015.
- Served as Acting Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court in 2023.
As one of the senior judges of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Gupta has a long record of adjudicating complex civil, constitutional, and service law matters.
Supreme Court Collegium’s Role in Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta Appointment
The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, recommended Justice Gupta’s elevation in its December 18, 2025 meeting.
This recommendation was aimed at ensuring a seamless judicial transition following the impending retirement of Justice G. Narendar.
The Collegium’s decision reflects a broader pattern of judicial reassignments and leadership updates across several High Courts in India—a process closely watched for its implications on judicial administration and court effectiveness.
