Can jurists be appointed as Supreme Court Judges? | Explained
Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has questioned why the constitutional provision allowing for the appointment of a 'distinguished jurist' to the Supreme Court has never been utilized. The provision was intended to diversify the bench by including eminent legal scholars alongside traditional judges and advocates.
Why it matters
The discussion touches on the evolution of judicial appointments and the potential for academic influence in high-level legal interpretation.
The story so far: Supreme Court Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on Sunday (August 30, 2026) questioned why a constitutional provision allowing a “distinguished jurist” to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court has remained unused for more than 76 years. Addressing the 13th convocation of National Law University, Delhi’s LL.M. programme, Justice Bhuyan pointed out that Article 124(3) of the Constitution permits the appointment of a person who, in the President’s opinion, is a “distinguished jurist” as a Supreme Court Judge. However, no legal academic has so far been elevated to the Supreme Court under this provision.
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