Collegium system

Collegium system

About: The collegium system is headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. India’s Constitution originally stipulated that the judges of the Supreme Court and high courts would be appointed by the President based on a process of “consultation” with senior judges. The present collegium system emerged later based on three key rulings.

• In 1981, the “First Judges Case” ruled that the process of consultation with the CJI and other judges did not require a consensus about recommendations.
• In 1993, the “Second Judges Case” overturned this decision and introduced the collegium system, arguing that “consultation” required “concurrence.”
• In 1998, the “Third Judges Case” ruled that the collegium would be a five-member body, establishing the system that is most similar to the one currently being followed.