Question

Regarding the Appointment of High Court Judges in India, which of the following statements are accurate according to the provisions in the Indian Constitution?

• A. High Court judges are appointed solely by the President without any consultation.
• B. The Governor of the State is primarily responsible for the appointment of High Court judges.
• C. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the Governor of the State are consulted in the appointment process.
• D. The Chief Justice of the High Court has the authority to appoint judges without any external consultation.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the Governor of the State are consulted in the appointment process.

Appointment of High Court judges.

• Article 217 of the Indian Constitution specifies the process for the appointment of High Court judges.
• It states that the Judge of a High Court shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), the Governor of the State.
• For the appointment of other judges, the chief justice of the concerned high court is also consulted.
• In the case of a common high court for two or more states, the governors of all the states concerned are consulted by the President.

Eligibility Criteria for High Court Judge

• The qualifications of High Court judges are as follows:

  1. Must be a citizen of India.
  2. Must have held a judicial office in India for at least 10 years. OR
  3. Should have been an advocate in any of the High Court for at least 10 years.