Justice N Kotiswar Singh & Justice R Mahadevan Sworn in as SC Judge

Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and Justice R. Mahadevan were sworn in as Supreme Court judges on 18 July 2024. The Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud, administered the oath of office to both judges in a ceremony at the Supreme Court premises in New Delhi. With the swearing-in of both judges, the total number of judges in the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice of India, is 34. The total number of judges, including the Chief Justice in the Supreme Court, could be 34.

About Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and Justice R. Mahadevan

Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh is from Manipur and was appointed as the Guwahati Gauhati High Court judge in October 2011. In February 2024, he was appointed Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Justice R. Mahadevan was the acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court before he was appointed as the judge of the Supreme Court.

Appointment of the Supreme Court Judges 

The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by the Chief Justice of India, recommended the names of Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and Justice R. Mahadevan to be appointed as the Supreme Court to the government of India on 11 July 2024. 

President Droupadi Murmu, exercising her power under article 124(2) of the constitution, appointed them as Supreme Court judges on 16 July 2024.

Under the Indian constitution, the President has the power to appoint the Supreme Court's judges in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, other Supreme Court judges, and other High Court judges.

Term of the Supreme Court Judges 

The Judges of the Supreme Court remain in office till they attain the age of 65 years. 

They can resign from their office by addressing the resignation letter to the President of India. The president can remove them from office at the recommendation of the parliament.

Qualification to become the Judge of the Supreme Court

The qualification to be appointed as the judge of the Supreme Court is mentioned in Article 124(3) of the Constitution. A person can be appointed as a Supreme Court Judge if he/she is a citizen of India, has been at least a Judge of a High Court for at least 5 years, or is an advocate of a High Court for at least ten years or In the opinion of the President is a distinguished Jurist.

Oath of the Supreme Court Judge 

The proforma of the oath to be taken by the person appointed as the judge of the Supreme Court is mentioned in the Third schedule of the Constitution.

The president or a person nominated by the President administers the oath.