The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of four judges as Chief Justices of the Delhi, Gujarat, Telangana and Uttarakhand High Courts. The recommendations were made on October 26, 2026, by a three-member Collegium comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Vikram Nath and B.V. Nagarathna.
Justice P. Sam Koshy Recommended for Delhi High Court
The Collegium has recommended Justice P. Sam Koshy, currently serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, for appointment as Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
Justice Koshy originally served in the Chhattisgarh High Court. He was appointed as an Additional Judge on September 16, 2013, and became a permanent judge on March 8, 2016. He was transferred to the Telangana High Court on July 27, 2023, and assumed charge as its Acting Chief Justice on October 6, 2026.
The Delhi High Court has been functioning without a regular Chief Justice since October 6, when its then Chief Justice, D.K. Upadhyaya, was elevated to the Supreme Court. Justice Koshy is scheduled to retire on April 29, 2029.
Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak Recommended for Gujarat High Court
The Collegium has recommended Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak for appointment as Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court. Justice Pathak originally belongs to the Gauhati High Court, where he was appointed as an Additional Judge on May 22, 2013, and became a permanent judge on November 12, 2018.
He was transferred to the Orissa High Court on July 21, 2025, and subsequently moved to the Gujarat High Court on September 14, 2026. He is currently serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court following the elevation of former Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal to the Supreme Court. Justice Pathak is due to retire on August 27, 2027.
Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty Recommended for Telangana High Court
Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty of the Calcutta High Court has been recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court.
He was appointed as a judge of the Calcutta High Court on October 30, 2013. If the recommendation is approved, he will take over the leadership of the Telangana High Court following Justice P. Sam Koshy’s proposed elevation to the Delhi High Court. Justice Chakraborty is scheduled to retire on November 26, 2028.
Justice Sudhir Singh Recommended for Uttarakhand High Court
The Collegium has also recommended Justice Sudhir Singh of the Patna High Court for appointment as Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court.
Justice Singh was appointed as a judge of the Patna High Court on April 15, 2015. His retirement is scheduled for December 10, 2027.
Appointment Process
The Collegium’s recommendations mark an important development in the leadership of four High Courts. The appointments will proceed through the prescribed constitutional process, including consideration by the Union Government and the formal appointment by the President of India.
The recommendations are expected to facilitate the appointment of regular Chief Justices in the respective High Courts and ensure continuity in their judicial administration.
Source: Supreme Court Collegium recommendation dated October 26, 2026.
