Second Woman Judge for Elevation to Supreme Court in 2026 Proposed by the Collegium

Gist The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, has recommended Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal alongside two other Chief Justices for elevation to the apex court. This marks the second instance in 2026 of a woman being proposed for the Supreme Court Bench, following the direct elevation of Justice V. Mohana from the Bar earlier in the year. For civil services aspirants, this development is significant as it touches upon GS Paper II themes of gender representation in the higher judiciary, the operational dynamics of the Collegium system, and the newly increased sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court to 38 judges. Background The Supreme Court Collegium is the institutional mechanism responsible for the appointment and transfer of judges in the higher judiciary, evolved through a series of Supreme Court judgments rather than parliamentary legislation. It is headed by the Chief Justice of India and comprises the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court, making it a five-member body. Appointments to the Supreme Court are formally made by the President of India under Article…