Supreme Court Collegium recommends four High Court Judges as Chief Justices of Delhi, Gujarat, Telangana and Uttaranchal High Courts

The Supreme Court Collegium, at its meeting held on 26 October 2026, recommended four High Court Judges for appointment as Chief Justices of the Gujarat, Delhi, Telangana and Uttaranchal High Courts. The recommendations include:

1. Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak for the Gujarat High Court;

2. Justice Puthichira Sam Koshy for the Delhi High Court;

3. Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty for the Telangana High Court; and

4. Justice Sudhir Singh for the Uttaranchal High Court.

The recommendations follow a series of appointments and interim arrangements made earlier in October, after three High Court Chief Justices were appointed Judges of the Supreme Court.

Also Read: President Appoints 3 Chief Justices as Supreme Court Judges | SCC Times

Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak recommended as Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court

Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak began his judicial career as an Additional Judge of the Gauhati High Court on 22 May 2013 and became a permanent Judge on 12 November 2018. Before his elevation, he served as Standing Counsel for the State of Tripura and the Education Department of the Government of Assam.

Following his transfer to the Orissa High Court in July 2025, Justice Pathak joined the Gujarat High Court in September 2026. On 5 October 2026, the Department of Justice appointed him to discharge the duties of the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court after Justice Sunita Agarwal relinquishes charge consequent upon her elevation as a Judge of the Supreme Court. The Collegium has now recommended his appointment as Chief Justice of the same High Court.

Justice Puthichira Sam Koshy recommended as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court

Justice P. Sam Koshy, presently serving as a Judge of the Telangana High Court and discharging the duties of its Chief Justice, has been recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.

Justice Koshy enrolled as an advocate in 1991 and initially practised before the Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur and subsequently before the Chhattisgarh High Court at Bilaspur. He also served as Government Advocate and Deputy Advocate General for Chhattisgarh.

Justice Koshy became an Additional Judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court in September 2013 and a permanent Judge in March 2016. Following his transfer to the Telangana High Court, he assumed charge in July 2023.

After Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, the then Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court on 5 October 2026, the Department of Justice appointed Justice Koshy to discharge the duties of Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court. The Collegium has now recommended his appointment as Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.

Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty recommended as Chief Justice of Telangana High Court

Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, presently a Judge of the Calcutta High Court, has been recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court.

Justice Chakraborty enrolled as an advocate in May 1991 and practised principally before the Calcutta High Court for approximately 22 years.

He joined the Bench of the Calcutta High Court as an Additional Judge in October 2013 and became a permanent Judge in March 2016. The Collegium has now recommended him to head the Telangana High Court, where Justice P. Sam Koshy is presently discharging the duties of Chief Justice pending a regular appointment.

Justice Sudhir Singh recommended as Chief Justice of Uttaranchal High Court

Justice Sudhir Singh, presently a Judge of the Patna High Court, has been recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the Uttaranchal High Court.

Justice Singh enrolled as an advocate in 1991 and appeared in several capacities before the Patna High Court, including as Central Government Counsel, Railway Advocate for the Ministry of Railways, Additional Standing Counsel for the Indian Audit and Accounts Department and Assistant Solicitor General of India.

Justice Singh joined the Bench of the Patna High Court as an Additional Judge in April 2015 and became a permanent Judge in April 2016. The Collegium has now recommended his appointment as Chief Justice of the Uttaranchal High Court.

Also Read: Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari Appointed Acting Chief Justice of Uttaranchal HC | SCC Times

Acting Chief Justice appointments in October 2026

The recommendations follow the appointment of three High Court Chief Justices to the Supreme Court on 5 October 2026. Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, then Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court; Justice Sunita Agarwal, then Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court; and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, then Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, were appointed Judges of the Supreme Court.

The Department of Justice subsequently appointed three Acting Chief Justice in the respective High Courts:

1. Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre was appointed to discharge the duties of Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.

2. Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak was appointed to discharge the duties of Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court.

3. Justice Puthichira Sam Koshy was appointed to discharge the duties of Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court.

Also Read: President Appoints 3 Acting Chief Justices of High Courts | SCC Times

These appointments took effect on 5 October 2026. The Department of Justice also appointed Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari to discharge the duties of Chief Justice of the Uttaranchal High Court on 6 October 2026.

The Collegium’s recommendations now propose regular appointments for the four High Courts. Justice Pathak has been recommended for the Gujarat High Court, where he is already discharging the duties of Chief Justice, while Justice Koshy has been recommended to head the Delhi High Court. Justice Chakraborty and Justice Singh have been recommended for the Telangana and Uttaranchal High Courts, respectively.

The Collegium’s recommendations form part of the constitutional appointment process. The formal appointment of each Chief Justice will follow the President’s appointment under Article 217 of the Constitution of India. Pending such appointments, the acting arrangements operate under Article 223, which provides for the discharge of the duties of a Chief Justice when the office is vacant or the Chief Justice is unable to perform those duties.

Appointments at a glance