New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India is set to witness two significant judicial retirements in 2026, as Justice Sanjay Karol prepares to retire on August 22, while Justice Satish Chandra Sharma is scheduled to demit office on November 29 upon attaining the age of superannuation.
Both judges have had distinguished judicial careers spanning decades, serving as Chief Justices of multiple High Courts before being elevated to the Supreme Court. Their tenure at the apex court has been marked by significant judicial interventions, administrative reforms and contributions to strengthening the justice delivery system.
Justice Sanjay Karol to Retire on August 22
Justice Sanjay Karol, born on August 23, 1961, hails from Garli village in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, a place recognised as India’s first heritage village.
He completed his schooling at St. Edward’s School, Shimla, graduated with History Honours from Government College, Sanjauli, and later earned his Bachelor of Laws from Himachal Pradesh University.
After enrolling as an advocate in 1986, Justice Karol built a successful legal practice covering constitutional, civil, criminal, taxation and corporate matters.
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From Advocate General to Supreme Court Judge
Justice Karol’s rise through the legal profession has been marked by several important milestones.
He served as Advocate General of Himachal Pradesh between 1998 and 2003 and was designated as a Senior Advocate in 1999.
His judicial career began with his appointment as a Judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on March 8, 2007. He later served as Acting Chief Justice before being appointed Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court in 2018.
In 2019, he was transferred as the 43rd Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, where he continued to build a reputation for judicial efficiency and administrative reforms.
Justice Karol was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on February 6, 2023, and is scheduled to retire on August 22, 2026.
Landmark Contributions of Justice Sanjay Karol
Throughout his judicial career, Justice Karol has been known for combining judicial efficiency with administrative innovation.
Among his notable contributions are:
- Reduced case pendency by more than half during his tenure as Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court.
- Delivered a landmark judgment at the Patna High Court recognising access to clean toilets as a fundamental right.
- Personally inspected civic infrastructure during the Shimla water crisis to better understand citizens’ grievances and improve public services.
His judgments have frequently focused on constitutional governance, public welfare and improving access to justice.
Justice Satish Chandra Sharma to Retire on November 29
Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, born on November 30, 1961, belongs to Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
He comes from an academic family. His father, Dr. B. N. Sharma, was a renowned professor and Vice-Chancellor, while his mother, Shanti Sharma, served as Principal and District Education Officer.
Justice Sharma completed his schooling at Christ Church Boys Higher Secondary School and Central School, Jabalpur before pursuing higher education at Dr. Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981 and completed his LL.B. in 1984, graduating with three university gold medals, reflecting his exceptional academic performance.
Distinguished Legal Career
Justice Sharma enrolled as an advocate on September 1, 1984.
His legal career included several important assignments representing the Union Government.
He served as:
- Additional Central Government Counsel in 1993.
- Senior Panel Counsel for the Union of India in 2004.
He was designated a Senior Advocate by the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 2003, becoming one of the youngest lawyers to receive the distinction at the age of 42.
In 2008, he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and became a permanent judge in 2010.
Led Three High Courts Before Apex Court Elevation
Justice Sharma subsequently served in leadership positions across several High Courts.
His judicial journey included:
- Acting Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court.
- Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court in 2021.
- Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court in 2022.
He was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on November 9, 2023 and is scheduled to retire on November 29, 2026.
Focus on Social Justice and Welfare
Justice Sharma has earned recognition for his emphasis on social justice and citizen welfare.
His judicial interventions have included:
- Conducting surprise inspections of welfare institutions.
- Directing improvements in facilities for visually impaired schoolchildren.
- Ensuring timely relief and welfare measures for sanitation workers.
- Supporting legal education through advisory roles at several National Law Universities.
His approach has reflected a commitment to making judicial institutions more responsive to vulnerable sections of society.
Experienced Jurists Leaving the Apex Court
The retirement of Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma will mark another phase in the changing composition of the Supreme Court.
Both judges brought decades of judicial and administrative experience from different High Courts across the country before joining the apex court. Their careers have been characterised by a blend of judicial scholarship, institutional leadership and administrative reforms, leaving behind a significant legacy in India’s judicial system.
With Justice Sanjay Karol retiring in August and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma following in November, the Supreme Court will witness two important vacancies during the latter half of 2026, paving the way for fresh appointments to the country’s highest constitutional court.
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