Appointment of Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak as Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court

Introduction

• Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak has been sworn in as Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.

Why in news?

• The oath of office was administered by Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar.
• The ceremony was held at the Birsa Munda Mandap, Lok Bhavan, Ranchi.

Background

• The appointment was made by the President of India under Article 217 of the Constitution.
• It followed the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium and the advice of the Union Law Ministry.
• Before this elevation, he served as a judge of the Bombay High Court.

Significance

• He will serve until his retirement on 28 November 2026.
• He is the 18th Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.

Facts/General knowledge

• He succeeded Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan.

Appointment of Justice A Muhamed Mustaque as Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court

Introduction

• The Sikkim High Court has a new Chief Justice, marking a leadership transition in the state’s judiciary.
• The appointment brings experience from other High Courts and aims to strengthen the delivery of justice.
• It is expected to contribute to efficient judicial administration.

Why in news?

• A Muhamed Mustaque took oath as the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court on 4 January 2026.
• The swearing-in ceremony was held at Lok Bhawan in Sikkim.
• The oath of office was administered by Om Prakash Mathur.
• The ceremony was attended by Prem Singh Tamang, members of the Council of Ministers, senior government officials, and representatives of the legal fraternity.

Background

• The Chief Justice of a High Court is responsible for judicial administration, case allocation, and the overall functioning of the court.
• Appointments are made by the President of India in consultation with constitutional authorities.
• Before this appointment, Justice A Muhamed Mustaque served as the Acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.
• He is known for judicial experience and administrative capabilities, handling constitutional, civil, and criminal matters effectively.
• He succeeds Biswanath Somadder, who retired recently.

Significance

• The transition ensures continuity in the judicial process and upholds institutional stability.
• Strong leadership at the High Court level supports access to justice and the rule of law at the state level.
• Experience from other High Courts is expected to strengthen court administration in Sikkim.

Facts/General knowledge

• Justice A Muhamed Mustaque is the 24th Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court.
• Fixed procedures for appointments help maintain the independence and credibility of the higher judiciary in India.

Appointment of Shri A. K. Balasubrahmanian as AERB Chairman

Introduction

• Shri A. K. Balasubrahmanian is a Distinguished Scientist and mechanical engineer with training in nuclear engineering.
• He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE).
• He now serves as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

Why in news?

• He took over charge as Chairman, AERB on 1 January 2026 from the outgoing Chairman, Dr. D. K. Shukla.

Background

• Previously served as Chairman, Project Design Safety Committee for Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)–based Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs).
• Member, Safety Review Committee for Operating Plants of AERB.
• Nearly 40 years’ experience spanning design, development, safety assessment, construction and commissioning of Nuclear Power Plants.
• Extensive work on developing ageing management strategies related to PHWRs.
• Contributed to first-of-a-kind (FOAK) systems featuring innovative design and safety features, alongside indigenisation efforts for PHWR technology.
• Considered an all-round expert in reactor technology and well-versed in different reactor technologies beyond PHWRs.

Significance

• Places at the helm a professional with nearly four decades of comprehensive Nuclear Power Plant experience.
• Brings deep expertise in PHWR technology, including ageing management and FOAK systems with innovative safety features.
• Ensures continuity through prior roles within AERB’s safety review and PHWR design safety committees.

Facts/General knowledge

• AERB stands for Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.
• PHWR stands for Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor.
• NPPs stands for Nuclear Power Plants.
• FNAE stands for Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering.

Leadership changes in ITBP and BSF

Introduction

• The Union government announced leadership changes in India’s border security forces, appointing Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor as Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Praveen Kumar as Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF).
• These appointments are part of routine administrative restructuring to ensure continuity and effectiveness in internal security.

Why in news?

• On 14 January 2026, the Centre appointed Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor as DG of ITBP and named Praveen Kumar as DG of BSF.
• The appointments were issued through orders by the Ministry of Personnel.

Background

• Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, a 1990-batch IPS officer currently serving in his cadre state Haryana, will succeed Praveen Kumar as ITBP chief and serve until 31 October 2026, the date of his superannuation.
• Praveen Kumar, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre and the incumbent ITBP chief, has been appointed as BSF Director General with a tenure until 30 September 2030.

Significance

• Leadership continuity in ITBP and BSF is crucial amid evolving challenges such as cross-border infiltration, transnational crime, and regional instability.
• The appointments underline the Centre’s focus on professional and experienced leadership in border management.

Facts/General knowledge

• Both appointments were approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• High-level postings in Central Armed Police Forces are made after careful consideration of seniority, experience, and operational exposure.
• Fixed tenures help ensure stability in leadership for forces responsible for border management and internal security.
• The ITBP guards India’s borders with China across high-altitude and inhospitable terrain, while the BSF secures borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Praveen Kumar takes additional charge as BSF Director General

Introduction

• Praveen Kumar, the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), has assumed additional charge as the Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF).
• He took over following the retirement of former BSF chief Daljit Singh Chawdhary.

Why in news?

• He stepped into the BSF role on Sunday after Daljit Singh Chawdhary’s retirement.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order on Friday granting him additional charge “until a permanent appointment is made or until further notice.”

Background

• A 1993-batch IPS officer from the West Bengal cadre.
• Appointed as the 35th ITBP chief in October 2024.
• Served in the Intelligence Bureau from 2009.
• Worked as Deputy Inspector General in the Naxal-affected Midnapore Range.
• Led multiple security operations in challenging areas.

Significance

• As ITBP Director General, he announced the creation of 10 all-women forward posts along the India–China border during the 64th Raising Day Parade in Udhampur, covering the 3,488-km stretch from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

Facts/General knowledge

• The handover ceremony took place at a BSF camp in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
• Such ceremonies are usually held at the BSF headquarters in New Delhi.
• The Raipur venue was chosen as both officers were attending the DGs–IGs national police conference held from Friday to Sunday.