New Delhi: The Central Government has notified the appointment of three High Court Chief Justices as judges of the Supreme Court of India. The appointments follow the recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium on September 28, 2026.
The three judges elevated to the apex court are Justice Sunita Agarwal, Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court; Justice D.K. Upadhyaya, Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court; and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court.
Following their appointments, the Supreme Court will have 37 judges against its sanctioned strength of 38.
The appointments mark an important development in the composition of the country’s highest judicial body, bringing three senior High Court judges to the Supreme Court.
Three High Court Chief Justices Appointed to Supreme Court
The Central Government’s notification follows the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium, which considered the appointments on September 28.
The newly appointed Supreme Court judges are:
- Justice Sunita Agarwal: Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court.
- Justice D.K. Upadhyaya: Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
- Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh: Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court.
All three judges have held senior judicial positions and have extensive experience in the legal profession and the High Courts.
With these appointments, the Supreme Court’s working strength will increase to 37 judges, compared with its approved strength of 38.
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Justice Sunita Agarwal: Legal Career and Judicial Experience
Justice Sunita Agarwal was serving as the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court before her elevation to the Supreme Court. She originally served as a judge of the Allahabad High Court and assumed office as Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court in July 2023.
She graduated in law from Awadh University in 1989 and entered the legal profession in December 1990. After practising law for more than two decades, she was appointed as a judge in November 2011.
Key details of Justice Sunita Agarwal’s career:
- Legal education: Awadh University, 1989.
- Enrolled in the legal profession: December 1990.
- Appointed as a judge: November 2011.
- Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court: Since July 2023.
- Expected retirement from the Supreme Court: April 2031.
Her judicial career includes service at the Allahabad High Court and leadership of the Gujarat High Court before her appointment to the country’s highest court.
Justice D.K. Upadhyaya: From Allahabad High Court to Supreme Court
Justice D.K. Upadhyaya was serving as the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court before being appointed to the Supreme Court.
He studied law at Lucknow University and enrolled as an advocate in May 1991. During his legal career, he served as the Chief Standing Counsel for the Government of Uttar Pradesh from May 2007 until his elevation as a judge in November 2011.
In July 2023, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. He was subsequently transferred to the Delhi High Court, where he took charge as Chief Justice in January 2025.
Key milestones in Justice Upadhyaya’s career:
- Legal education: Lucknow University.
- Enrolled as an advocate: May 1991.
- Chief Standing Counsel, Uttar Pradesh: May 2007 onwards, until his elevation as a judge.
- Elevated as a judge: November 2011.
- Chief Justice of Bombay High Court: July 2023.
- Chief Justice of Delhi High Court: January 2025.
His experience across different judicial institutions and his service as Chief Justice of two High Courts preceded his elevation to the Supreme Court.
Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh: Judicial Career and High Court Appointments
Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh was serving as the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court before his appointment to the Supreme Court. He studied law at the University of Delhi and enrolled as an advocate in 1990. He practised before the Patna High Court from 1990 to 2000 before continuing his legal practice at the Jharkhand High Court.
Justice Singh was elevated as a judge of the Jharkhand High Court in 2012. He subsequently served as Acting Chief Justice of the High Court during the period from December 20, 2022, to February 19, 2023.
He was later appointed Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court and took oath on April 17, 2023. He was subsequently transferred to the Telangana High Court, where he took oath as Chief Justice on July 19, 2025.
Key milestones in Justice Singh’s career:
- Legal education: University of Delhi.
- Enrolled as an advocate: 1990.
- Practice at Patna High Court: 1990–2000.
- Elevated as a judge: Jharkhand High Court, 2012.
- Acting Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court: December 2022 to February 2023.
- Chief Justice of Tripura High Court: Took oath on April 17, 2023.
- Chief Justice of Telangana High Court: Took oath on July 19, 2025.
His judicial career includes service at the Jharkhand, Tripura and Telangana High Courts before his elevation to the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court’s Strength to Reach 37 Judges
The appointment of the three High Court Chief Justices will bring the Supreme Court’s strength to 37 judges against its sanctioned capacity of 38. The Supreme Court is India’s highest judicial authority and plays a central role in interpreting the Constitution, hearing appeals and adjudicating significant legal and constitutional matters.
The Collegium’s recommendation and the subsequent government notification form part of the established process for appointing judges to the apex court. The elevation of Justices Sunita Agarwal, D.K. Upadhyaya and Aparesh Kumar Singh adds their judicial experience to the Supreme Court as it continues to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
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