On May 8, 2025, the Supreme Court of India expressed serious concerns over the prolonged delays by the central government in processing judicial appointments and transfers recommended by the Collegium. The Court highlighted that 70 Collegium recommendations for High Court judges have been pending for over 10 months, causing significant vacancies across the judiciary and leading to a talent drain as prospective candidates withdraw due to uncertainty .

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, leading the bench alongside Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, criticized the government’s practice of selectively approving names from the Collegium’s recommendations, stating that this “pick and choose” approach disrupts the established seniority norms and deters qualified lawyers from accepting judicial appointments . The Court emphasized that such selective clearances are not conducive to attracting successful lawyers to the bench.

The Supreme Court also noted that the government’s delays violate the timelines established in the 2021 PLR Projects judgment, which mandates prompt processing of judicial appointments at various stages . The Court warned that continued non-compliance could lead to further judicial action and stated its intention to monitor the situation closely, with hearings scheduled every 10–12 days until the matter is resolved .

In response, Attorney General R. Venkataramani informed the Court that “sensitive material” is causing delays in clearing some recommendations and offered to submit this information in a sealed cover for the Court’s consideration .

The Court’s firm stance underscores the urgency of addressing the backlog in judicial appointments to maintain the integrity and efficiency of India’s judicial system.

Sources