The Union Law Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that 371 posts of judges are currently vacant across various High Courts in the country, and more than half of these vacancies are pending without any recommendations from the respective High Court collegiums.
Responding to a written question from Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that as of July 18, 2025, only 751 judges are in position against the sanctioned strength of 1,122 judges in the High Courts.
Out of the 371 vacant posts, recommendations have been received and are under various stages of processing for 178 positions. However, the remaining 193 vacancies are still awaiting proposals from the High Court collegiums.
Meghwal pointed out that under the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) — the document that guides the appointment, elevation, and transfer of judges — it is the responsibility of the Chief Justice of a High Court to initiate recommendations for appointments at least six months before a vacancy arises.
“This time limit is rarely observed,” the minister noted, adding that delays from the High Court collegiums are contributing significantly to the backlog.
The Law Minister also highlighted that appointments to the High Courts require inputs from the respective state governments and consideration of all available intelligence and background reports regarding the proposed candidates.
The update comes amid continued concerns from the judiciary and bar over rising pendency of cases, especially in High Courts, where mounting vacancies have directly impacted judicial efficiency.
The government has frequently pointed to delays in recommendations from the judiciary, while the Supreme Court Collegium has raised issues with the Centre over long delays in clearing names once proposed — a point of friction that continues to underline the ongoing debate around judicial appointments in India.
