During a parliamentary session on Thursday, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, disclosed that 110 judges had been appointed to High Courts in the year 2023.

In response to a query posed by Shaktisinh Gohil, a Member of Parliament from Gujarat's Rajya Sabha, regarding the status of vacancies in the Supreme Court and High Courts, as well as the number of proposals put forth to address these vacancies, the revelation about the appointment of 110 judges to High Courts in 2023 was made by Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal during the parliamentary session on Thursday.

Meghwal clarified that the Supreme Court was operating with a complete roster of judges. However, in the High Courts, out of the sanctioned strength of 1,114 judges, 790 were actively presiding, indicating a vacancy count of 324 positions.

Meghwal revealed that at the start of the year, there were 171 proposals received from High Court Collegiums in different stages of processing. Throughout the year, an additional 121 new proposals were received, bringing the total number of proposals to be considered to 292.

From the total of 292 proposals, 110 judges were appointed, while 60 recommendations were sent back to the High Courts following the advice of the Supreme Court Collegium. This left 122 proposals pending. Out of these 122, 87 were forwarded to the Collegium for advice, and the Collegium has offered guidance on 45 proposals, currently undergoing different stages of processing within the government. Meanwhile, 42 proposals are awaiting consideration by the Collegium.

Additionally, there are 35 new proposals received recently, currently in the process of being reviewed to seek the advice of the Collegium.