Justice Joymalya Bagchi has officially taken his place on the Supreme Court bench, with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna administering the oath on Monday. His appointment brings the total number of judges in the country’s highest court to 33, just one short of its full capacity of 34.
The Supreme Court Collegium had endorsed Justice Bagchi’s elevation on March 6, with the central government approving it shortly after on March 10. His legal journey spans over a decade, beginning with his appointment to the Calcutta High Court in 2011. He later served at the Andhra Pradesh High Court before returning to Calcutta in 2021.
With a Supreme Court tenure extending beyond six years, Justice Bagchi is poised to become the Chief Justice of India in May 2031, succeeding Justice KV Viswanathan. However, his tenure as CJI will be brief, concluding in October 2031 upon reaching retirement age. His elevation marks a significant moment, as he will be the first Chief Justice from Calcutta since the tenure of Altamas Kabir, who held the position until 2013.
Justice Bagchi’s appointment leaves just one vacancy in the Supreme Court, maintaining near-full strength as the judiciary continues to navigate critical legal and constitutional matters.