The beginning of the new year would be with a new collegium where the exit of Justice Kaul after his retirement would be filled by justice Anirudha Bose.

On Tuesday last, Justice Aniruddha Bose joined the five-judge Supreme Court Collegium responsible for recommending candidates for elevation to the Supreme Court and the transfer of high court judges.

The current Supreme Court Collegium is comprised of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr D.Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices Sanjeev Khanna, B.R. Gavai, Surya Kant, and Justice Bose. However, Justice Bose's tenure in the collegium will be brief, as he is set to retire on April 10 next year.

With Justice Kaul's retirement, Justice Gavai will now join the CJI and Justice Khanna in the three-judge collegium responsible for recommending appointments of judges to high courts. Justice Kaul's departure has created a clear vacancy in the Supreme Court.

The collegium, headed by CJI Chandrachud, has made a total of 14 appointments to the Supreme Court. Looking ahead, the slated retirements of Justices Bose, A.S. Bopanna, and Hima Kohli on April 10, May 19, and September 1 next year, respectively, suggest that the Supreme Court is likely to witness the addition of four more judges during CJI Chandrachud's leadership.

CJI Chandrachud is set to retire on November 10 next year, indicating a period of significant changes in the composition of the Supreme Court in the coming months.