Justices Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and R Mahadevan were elevated to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, bringing the court back to its sanctioned strength of 34 judges, including the Chief Justice.

Justice N Kotiswar Singh, currently the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, becomes the first judge from Manipur to be appointed to the Supreme Court. The SC Collegium highlighted this historic representation of the Northeast and Manipur specifically in its July 11 recommendation. Initially appointed as a judge of the Gauhati High Court in October 2011, Singh was transferred to the Manipur High Court upon its formation. He became Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in February 2023 and will serve until February 2028, upon reaching 65.

Justice R Mahadevan, now the acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, also joins the Supreme Court. The Collegium noted his representation of a backward community from Tamil Nadu, enhancing the Bench's diversity. Born on June 10, 1963, Justice Mahadevan will retire in June 2028. The Collegium emphasized his seniority, noting he ranks third among serving judges of the Madras High Court, including those posted as chief justices elsewhere.

Justice Hima Kohli’s upcoming retirement in September will create another vacancy in the Supreme Court.

Following these elevations, the law ministry announced that Justice Tashi Rabstan will serve as the acting Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, and Justice D Krishnakumar will become the acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.

Justices Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and R Mahadevan were elevated to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, bringing the court back to its sanctioned strength of 34 judges, including the Chief Justice.

Justice N Kotiswar Singh, currently the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, becomes the first judge from Manipur to be appointed to the Supreme Court. The SC Collegium highlighted this historic representation of the Northeast and Manipur specifically in its July 11 recommendation. Initially appointed as a judge of the Gauhati High Court in October 2011, Singh was transferred to the Manipur High Court upon its formation. He became Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in February 2023 and will serve until February 2028, upon reaching 65.

Justice R Mahadevan, now the acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, also joins the Supreme Court. The Collegium noted his representation of a backward community from Tamil Nadu, enhancing the Bench's diversity. Born on June 10, 1963, Justice Mahadevan will retire in June 2028. The Collegium emphasized his seniority, noting he ranks third among serving judges of the Madras High Court, including those posted as chief justices elsewhere.

Justice Hima Kohli’s upcoming retirement in September will create another vacancy in the Supreme Court.

Following these elevations, the law ministry announced that Justice Tashi Rabstan will serve as the acting Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, and Justice D Krishnakumar will become the acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.