• President Droupadi Murmu recently appointed five new Judges to the Supreme Court after the Centre cleared the proposal by the Collegium that was shared in December last year.
• Accepting the recommendations made by SC collegium, Centre notified the appointment of 5 Judges.
• With these appointments, working strength of SC will rise to 32 against sanctioned strength of 34.
  • Sanctioned strength is prescribed by law made by Parliament (Article 124 (1)).
• Chief Justice of India (CJI) and Judges of SC are appointed by President under Article 124 (2) of Constitution on the basis of Memorandum of Procedure (MoP).
• Under MoP, Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs consider the recommendations forwarded by Cll.
• Collegium system is the way by which judges of SC and HC are appointed and transferred.
• SC collegium is a five member body, which is headed by incumbent CJI and comprises four other senior most judges of the court at that time.

Evolution

Collegium system has evolved with Three Judges case

1. First Judges Case, 1981 (S P Gupta Case): SC ruled that recommendation made by CJI to President can be refused for-cogent reasons’: thereby giving greater say to executive.
2. Second Judges Case, 1993 (SC Advocates on Record Association (SCARA) vs Union of India): CJI only need to consult two senior-most judges over judicial appointments and transfers.
3. Third Judges Case, 1998: CJIs should consult with four senior-most SC judges to form his opinion on judicial appointments and transfers.