The Supreme Court Collegium, led by the Chief Justice of India, has officially approved the proposal to appoint Smt. Justice Manjusha Ajay Deshpande as a Permanent Judge of the High Court of Bombay. The decision was formalized during a Collegium meeting held on April 14, 2026.
Justice Manjusha Ajay Deshpande has been serving as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court. The transition from an Additional Judge to a Permanent Judge is a standard procedure within the Indian judiciary, following a period of observation and evaluation of the judge’s performance, judicial conduct, and disposal of cases.
The Collegium’s Decision
In a brief statement released following the meeting, the Collegium noted that it had considered the proposal for the appointment of Justice Deshpande and subsequently approved her elevation to the status of a Permanent Judge.
The statement, bearing the court’s motto “Yato Dharmastato Jayah” (Where there is Dharma, there is Victory), confirms the resolution:
“The Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on 14th April, 2026 has approved the proposal for appointment of Smt. Justice Manjusha Ajay Deshpande, Additional Judge as Permanent Judge of the High Court of Bombay.”
Under the current system of judicial appointments, Additional Judges are typically appointed for a period of two years. Their performance is then reviewed by the High Court Collegium and subsequently the Supreme Court Collegium. If found fit, the Supreme Court Collegium recommends their appointment as Permanent Judges to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, which then processes the recommendation for the President’s approval.
The recommendation will now be forwarded to the Central Government for final notification and the subsequent administration of the oath of office.
