Appointment of Judges: Collegium System Definition, Types, Examples & Uses

Appointment of Judges: Collegium System

Subject: Polity

Book: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

Developed through Supreme Court judgments (Three Judges Cases), the collegium comprises the Chief Justice of India and senior justices who recommend appointments/transfers of higher judiciary judges. The President mostly approves their recommendations, limiting executive discretion. Proponents say it preserves judicial independence, while critics accuse the collegium of opacity, nepotism, or lack of transparency. Efforts to replace it with the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) were struck down as unconstitutional. Calls persist for reforms—public disclosure of selection criteria, diverse representation, structured feedback. This system remains pivotal in shaping India’s judiciary, balancing independence with demands for accountability and clarity.