On 10 July 2026, the President of India, in exercise of powers conferred under Article 223 of the Constitution, appointed Justice Sudhir Singh as the Acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court consequent upon the retirement of sitting Chief Justice of Patna High Court, Justice Meenakshi M. Rai on 11 July 2026. Justice Meenakshi M. Rai was appointed the High Court’s 48th Chief Justice on 2 June 2026.
Also read: President appoints Justice Meenakshi M. Rai as 48th Chief Justice of Patna High Court
Upcoming ACJ Sudhir Singh1 completed his schooling from Vikas Vidyalaya, Ranchi and did his graduation in Political Science from Patna College, Patna University and LL.B. from Patna Law College, Patna University.
Justice Singh hails from a family of legal luminaries as his great grandfather, Late Nand Kishore Prasad Singh practised at the District Court, Chhapra; his grandfather, Late Baldeo Prasad Singh, practised at the Patna High Court and was the President of the Barrister’s Association for a long period of time. Justice Sudhir Singh’s father, Justice N.P. Singh, was Former Judge of Supreme Court of India and also served as the Chairman of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal.
Justice Sudhir Singh’s own legal career began with his enrollment as an advocate in 1991. During this tenure he appeared as Central Government Counsel for the Union of India, Railway Advocate for Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), Additional Standing Counsel for the Indian Audit and Accounts Department and Assistant Solicitor General of India at Patna High Court. Predominantly, Justice Sudhir Singh appeared in Criminal and Writ matters.
After gaining considerable expertise in legal practise, Justice Sudhir Singh was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Patna High Court on 15 April 2015 and was later sworn in as a Permanent Judge on 20 April 2016.
