The Supreme Court of India has designated seven former High Court judges as Senior Advocates. The decision was finalized during a Full Court Meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of India and the Judges of the Supreme Court. The designations have been made effective from May 20, 2026.
The conferment of the distinction of “Senior Advocate” is governed under Section 16 of the Advocates Act, 1961, which empowers the Supreme Court or a High Court to designate an advocate as a Senior Advocate if, by virtue of their ability, standing at the Bar, or special knowledge or experience in law, they are deserving of such distinction. Under the current procedural guidelines, retired High Court judges can request designation as Senior Advocates, which is subsequently placed before the Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates (CDSA) and the Full Court of the Supreme Court for approval.
The administrative clearances for the latest round of designations were processed by the CDSA. On May 21, 2026, a formal notification was issued under the authority of Shri Devender Pal Walia, Registrar, Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates (CDSA), reflecting the resolution passed by the Full Court on the preceding day.
The Supreme Court’s Notification
According to the official notification issued by the Supreme Court of India:
“In a Full Court Meeting held on 20th May 2026, the Chief Justice of India and the Judges of the Supreme Court of India have designated the following former Judges of the High Courts as Senior Advocates with effect from 20th May 2026…”
The designated jurists represent several High Courts across the country, including the High Court of Kerala, the High Court of Orissa, the High Court of Manipur, the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, and the High Court of Bombay.
List of Designated Senior Advocates
The notification list features seven former judges in alphabetical order:
- Shri Justice Babu K.
- Former Assignment: Judge, High Court of Kerala
- Shri Justice Debabrata Dash
- Former Assignment: Judge, High Court of Orissa
- Shri Justice Khwairakpam Nobin Singh
- Former Assignment: Judge, High Court of Manipur
- Shri Justice Mahboob Ali
- Former Assignment: Judge, High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
- Shri Justice N. Nagaresh
- Former Assignment: Judge, High Court of Kerala
- Shri Justice Shrikant Dattatraya Kulkarni
- Former Assignment: Judge, High Court of Bombay
- Shri Justice V.G. Arun
- Former Assignment: Judge, High Court of Kerala
The High Court of Kerala has the highest representation in this list, with three former judges being designated as Senior Advocates.
