This House believes that Judicial Appointments need Legislative Interference.
Judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed through the Collegium System, where senior judges recommend candidates.
The collegium consists of the Chief Justice of India and the four senior-most Supreme Court judges. Their recommendations are sent to the government, which may raise objections once, but if the collegium reiterates the name, the appointment must be made.
Supporters argue this protects judicial independence, while critics say the system is opaque and lacks accountability.
In 2014, the government of Narendra Modi introduced the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) to replace the collegium.
The proposed body would include the Chief Justice of India, two senior judges, the Law Minister, and two “eminent persons.” Supporters argued this would make appointments more transparent and accountable.
However, in 2015 the Supreme Court of India struck down the NJAC, ruling that it threatened judicial independence, which is part of the Constitution’s basic structure.
The collegium system therefore remains in place today.
The Division of the House
Ayes to the right of the chair, noes to the left — the benches as they stood.
The Proposition
The Proceeding on Film
Every sitting is filmed in full and published — the argument, the division, and the floor.
