Five new High Court Chief Justices appointed, four Chief Justices transferred
On 14 July 2025, the President, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, appointed five Chief Justices of High Courts and transferred four sitting Chief Justices.
Summary
The Ministry of Law and Justice notified in New Delhi on 14 July 2025 that the President, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, appointed five judges as Chief Justices of High Courts: Sanjeev Sachdeva (Madhya Pradesh), Vibhu Bakhru (Karnataka), Ashutosh Kumar (Gauhati), Vipul Manubhai Pancholi (Patna) and Tarlok Singh Chauhan (Jharkhand). Four Chief Justices were transferred: Manindra Mohan Shrivastava from Rajasthan to Madras, Aparesh Kumar Singh from Tripura to Telangana, M. S. Ramachandra Rao from Jharkhand to Tripura and K. R. Shriram from Madras to Rajasthan. Under Article 217, a High Court judge is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal and holds office until the age of sixty-two years.
Key facts
- New CJs
- Sanjeev Sachdeva (MP), Vibhu Bakhru (Karnataka), Ashutosh Kumar (Gauhati), Vipul Manubhai Pancholi (Patna), Tarlok Singh Chauhan (Jharkhand)
- Transfers
- M. M. Shrivastava Rajasthan→Madras; Aparesh Kumar Singh Tripura→Telangana; M. S. Ramachandra Rao Jharkhand→Tripura; K. R. Shriram Madras→Rajasthan
- Consultation
- With the Chief Justice of India
- Article 217 (static)
- HC judge appointed by President by warrant; holds office until 62; transfer by President vacates the office in the earlier HC
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Vibhu Bakhru was appointed on 14 July 2025 as Chief Justice of which High Court?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Karnataka High Court
Law Ministry communique: Vibhu Bakhru, Judge (Delhi), appointed Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court.
Consider the following statements regarding Article 217 of the Constitution: 1. Every Judge of a High Court is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. 2. A permanent High Court Judge holds office until the age of sixty-five years. 3. To qualify, an advocate must have practised in a High Court for at least seven years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. Article 217(1) sets the retirement age at sixty-two years (not 65), and Article 217(2)(b) requires at least ten years as an advocate of a High Court (not seven).
Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh was transferred on 14 July 2025 from the Tripura High Court to which High Court?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Telangana High Court
Law Ministry communique: Aparesh Kumar Singh transferred from Tripura to Telangana as Chief Justice.