What is Collegium System?
Historical Background
Key Points
8 points- 1.
The CJI heads the Collegium and plays a crucial role in the selection process.
- 2.
The Collegium recommends names of judges to the government for appointment.
- 3.
The government can raise objections to the Collegium's recommendations, but if the Collegium reiterates its recommendation, the government is generally bound to appoint the judge.
- 4.
For appointments to the High Courts, the Collegium consists of the CJI and two other senior-most judges.
- 5.
The Collegium system aims to ensure the independence of the judiciary by minimizing executive interference in judicial appointments.
Recent Real-World Examples
5 examplesIllustrated in 5 real-world examples from Feb 2026 to Mar 2026
Source Topic
Bombay High Court Judges Protest Junior's Appointment as Permanent Judge
Polity & GovernanceUPSC Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
81. What is the Collegium System and what is its constitutional basis?
The Collegium System is the method of appointing and transferring judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts of India. It consists of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and four other senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. It's a system evolved through judicial pronouncements. The Collegium System is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.
Exam Tip
Remember that the Collegium System is not a constitutional body. It evolved through judicial interpretations.
2. How does the Collegium System work in practice?
In practice, the CJI heads the Collegium and plays a crucial role in the selection process. The Collegium recommends names of judges to the government for appointment. The government can raise objections, but if the Collegium reiterates its recommendation, the government is generally bound to appoint the judge. For High Courts, the Collegium consists of the CJI and two other senior-most judges.
- •CJI heads the Collegium.
