New Delhi, Jun 2: In a landmark ceremony held in New Delhi on Tuesday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant administered the oath of office to five newly appointed judges of the Supreme Court. The swearing-in of Justices Sheel Nagu, Shree Chandrashekhar, Sanjeev Sachdeva, Arun Palli, and senior advocate V. Mohana marks a pivotal moment in the judiciary, coming shortly after the sanctioned strength of the apex court was increased from 33 to 37 judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India.

The appointments were made following recommendations by the Supreme Court Collegium in its meetings on May 22 and May 27, 2026. The Centre approved the elevations on Monday, paving the way for the oath ceremony. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced the appointments on social media, noting that the President had given her assent after consultation with the CJI.

Justice Sheel Nagu, who began his judicial career in the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 2011, most recently served as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, elevated to the Jharkhand High Court in 2013, went on to lead the Bombay High Court in 2025. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, who joined the Delhi High Court in 2013, became Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court last year. Justice Arun Palli, appointed to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2013, was serving as Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court before his elevation. Senior advocate V. Mohana, a distinguished practitioner before the Supreme Court, has argued several constitutional, civil, and service law matters, bringing rich experience from the bar to the bench.

Also Read: President Murmu Promulgates Ordinance Raising SC Judges' Sanctioned Strength to 37

The expansion of the Supreme Court’s strength comes in response to the growing backlog of cases and the need for faster adjudication. President Droupadi Murmu recently promulgated the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, which increased the sanctioned number of judges. This move is expected to enhance efficiency and reduce pendency in the apex court.

The induction of these five judges is seen as a significant step toward strengthening the judiciary and ensuring timely justice delivery. With diverse backgrounds and extensive experience across different High Courts and legal practice, the new judges are expected to contribute meaningfully to the functioning of the Supreme Court.