New Delhi, May 31, 2025
In a significant development for India’s judiciary, the Supreme Court of India welcomed three new judges on Friday, May 30, 2025, bringing the apex court to its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Chief Justice B.R. Gavai administered the oath of office to Justices N.V. Anjaria, Vijay Bishnoi, and A.S. Chandurkar in a ceremony that marked a milestone for the court’s capacity to address its caseload.
The appointments were formalized by the Union government on May 29, 2025, following recommendations from the Supreme Court Collegium, headed by CJI B.R. Gavai, on May 26, 2025. The newly appointed judges bring diverse experience from their tenures at various High Courts. Justice N.V. Anjaria, previously the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, began his judicial career as an Additional Judge of the Gujarat High Court in 2011. Justice Vijay Bishnoi, former Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, has a background rooted in the Rajasthan High Court. Justice A.S. Chandurkar, elevated from the Bombay High Court, joined the bench after a legal career that started in 1988, practicing in Mumbai and Nagpur.
Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced the appointments, emphasizing the government’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary. “The President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, was pleased to appoint these distinguished judges to the Supreme Court,” Meghwal stated in a post on X. The move comes at a critical time, as the Supreme Court had been operating below its full strength following the retirements of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and A.S. Oka, reducing the bench to 31 judges.
With these appointments, the court is poised to tackle its pending cases more effectively. However, the relief may be temporary, as Justice Bela M. Trivedi is set to retire on June 9, 2025, creating a new vacancy. The Collegium’s proactive recommendations reflect a strategic effort to maintain judicial efficiency.
Justices Anjaria and Chandurkar are expected to serve nearly five years each, while Justice Bishnoi’s tenure will be slightly shorter. Their diverse backgrounds from the Karnataka, Gauhati, and Bombay High Courts are anticipated to enrich the apex court’s perspectives. This development coincides with the Collegium’s broader reshuffle, including recommendations for new Chief Justices for five High Courts and the transfer of 21 High Court judges, signaling a transformative phase for India’s judicial system.