Justice V. Mohana Sworn In As Supreme Court Judge, Second Woman Elevated Directly From Bar
On 2 June 2026, Justice V. Mohana took oath as a judge of the Supreme Court of India, becoming the 12th woman to serve on the apex court. Her appointment is notable as she became the second woman lawyer to be directly elevated from the Bar to the Supreme Court, following Justice Indu Malhotra's precedent in 2018. The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, recommended her elevation on 27 May 2026, with government clearance received on 31 May 2026. Following her appointment, the Supreme Court's working strength rose to 37 against a sanctioned strength of 38 judges. Justice Mohana is expected to retire in June 2031 after nearly five years on the bench.
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Key Facts
- Justice V. Mohana was sworn in as a Supreme Court judge on 2 June 2026.
- She is the 12th woman judge in the history of the Supreme Court of India.
- She is the second woman lawyer directly elevated from the Bar to the Supreme Court, after Justice Indu Malhotra in 2018.
- The Supreme Court has a sanctioned strength of 38 judges and a working strength of 37 after her appointment.
- The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, recommended her elevation on 27 May 2026; the Central Government approved it on 31 May 2026.
- Justice Mohana is expected to retire in June 2031.
Background & Context
The Supreme Court of India, established under the Constitution and functioning since 28 January 1950, is the highest judicial authority in India and is situated in New Delhi. Judges to the Supreme Court are appointed by the President based on recommendations from the Supreme Court Collegium system, which consists of the Chief Justice of India and the four senior-most judges. The Collegium plays a vital role in judicial appointments and transfers, aiming to maintain independence and integrity of the judiciary.
Justice V. Mohana's appointment is significant in terms of enhancing gender diversity at the highest judicial level and is an uncommon example of a woman lawyer directly elevated from Bar to Supreme Court bench — a practice seen only once before with Justice Indu Malhotra in 2018.
Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance
This appointment is a key current affairs topic relevant for exams focusing on Indian Polity, Judiciary, and Gender Representation. Understanding the collegium system, significant appointments, and diversity in the judiciary is essential for constitutional law and governance-related questions in competitive examinations.
Points to Remember
- Justice V. Mohana sworn in on 2 June 2026 as the 12th woman Supreme Court judge.
- Second woman directly elevated from the Bar after Justice Indu Malhotra (2018).
- Supreme Court Collegium is headed by CJI Surya Kant as of 2026.
- Supreme Court’s sanctioned strength: 38 judges; working strength rose to 37 post-appointment.
- Collegium recommended her elevation on 27 May 2026; government cleared it on 31 May 2026.
- Expected retirement is June 2031, which implies a tenure of nearly 5 years.
Sources & Further Reading
| Document / Website | Link |
|---|---|
| Justice V. Mohana sworn in as Supreme Court judge | Open Justice V. Mohana sworn in as Supreme Court judge ↗www.gktoday.in |
| Collegium Recommends Elevation of 4 Chief Justices and Senior Advocate V. Mohana to Supreme Court | Open Collegium Recommends Elevation of 4 Chief Justices and Senior Advocate V. Mohana to Supreme Court ↗www.scconline.com |
| Since 2014, 170 Women Judges have been appointed in the High Courts, including 96 in the last five years and 06 in the Supreme Court | Open Since 2014, 170 Women Judges have been appointed in the High Courts, including 96 in the last five years and 06 in the Supreme Court ↗www.pib.gov.in |
| Collegium System in India - UPSC Notes | Open Collegium System in India - UPSC Notes ↗vajiramandravi.com |
| List of female judges of the Supreme Court of India | Open List of female judges of the Supreme Court of India ↗en.wikipedia.org |