Justice Shree Chandrashekhar sworn in as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court

Introduction

• Justice Shree Chandrashekhar has been sworn in as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
• This marks a significant transition in the judiciary of one of India’s most prominent and busiest High Courts.

Why in news?

• The oath was administered by Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan at a formal ceremony at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.
• The ceremony drew senior state leadership, reflecting the court’s judicial significance.

Background

• He had been serving as Acting Chief Justice following the elevation of Justice Alok Aradhe to the Supreme Court of India.
• Known for a deep understanding of constitutional and civil law, backed by years of judicial experience.
• His stint as Acting Chief Justice provided firsthand experience in managing the High Court’s vast caseload and administrative responsibilities.

Significance

• The Chief Justice’s leadership is central to overseeing judicial efficiency and timely case disposal.
• The role upholds constitutional values and strengthens justice delivery in a highly influential High Court.
• It steers legal reforms and technological adoption as courts focus on digitisation, reducing case backlogs, and enhancing public access to justice.

Facts/General knowledge

• The Bombay High Court was established in 1862 and is among the oldest in India.
• Its jurisdiction spans Maharashtra, Goa, and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
• Dignitaries in attendance included Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Rahul Narwekar, Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, and Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla.

Appointment of T.C.A Kalyani as 29th Controller General of Accounts

Introduction

• C.A Kalyani, a 1991 batch Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) officer, has been appointed as the 29th Controller General of Accounts (CGA) in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Why in news?

• The Government of India appointed her with immediate effect from 1 September 2025.
• She succeeds S.S. Dubey, who retired on 31 August 2025 after serving since March 2023.

Background

• Served as Principal Chief Controller of Accounts in the Ministry of Home Affairs, overseeing budgeting and accounting.
• Worked across key ministries: Ministry of Defence; Department of Telecommunications (Ministry of Communications); Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers; Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; and Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Contributions include leading DBT rollout for farmers’ fertiliser purchases; digital transformation of MTNL billing systems; and restructuring financial frameworks at Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited (FCIL).
• Recognised for transparency and efficiency, leading innovative initiatives to improve public expenditure management and digital accounting.

 Significance

• Recognised as a champion of transparency and efficiency, with a record of advancing public expenditure management and digital accounting.
• As the Principal Accounting Adviser to the Government of India, the CGA’s role entails maintaining a technically sound management accounting system and analysing fiscal indicators.

 Facts/General knowledge

• The CGA prepares monthly and annual analyses of expenditure, revenues, borrowings, and fiscal indicators of the Government of India.
• It leads digitisation of government payments, Public Financial Management System (PFMS), and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• It frames and enforces government accounting rules, procedures, and standards.
• It manages the Central Payment and Accounting System through Pay & Account offices and the Central Pension Accounting office.
• The CGA’s functions are governed by the Allocation of Business Rules, 1961 (framed under Article 77 of the Constitution).
• Eligibility and appointment: Senior ICAS officers with over 30 years of service are appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on the recommendation of the Ministry of Finance.

Additional Charge of Maharashtra Governorship to Acharya Devvrat

 Introduction

• Acharya Devvrat, the Governor of Gujarat, has been assigned additional charge as Governor of Maharashtra after C.P. Radhakrishnan resigned following his election as Vice President of India.

Why in news?

• The Maharashtra Governor’s post fell vacant when C.P. Radhakrishnan was elected Vice President of India in September 2025 and resigned.
• Acharya Devvrat was given additional charge of Maharashtra to address the vacancy.

 Background

• Article 153 of the Indian Constitution allows the same person to be appointed Governor of two or more states.
• This provision enables temporary or permanent overlapping governorships for smooth governance.
• The President of India issues an order assigning such additional charges when vacancies arise.
• Acharya Devvrat continues as Governor of Gujarat and previously served as Governor of Himachal Pradesh.
• He is known for promoting natural farming and yogic sciences.

 Significance

• Maintains continuity of the Governor’s constitutional functions in Maharashtra during the transition.
• Ensures governance stability during vacancies, as facilitated by Article 153.

Facts/General knowledge

• Acharya Devvrat was appointed Governor of Gujarat in July 2019.
• The oath ceremony for the additional charge was held at Mumbai’s Raj Bhavan, with the oath administered in Sanskrit.
• The Governor is the constitutional head of a state, appointed by the President of India.

CP Radhakrishnan elected Vice President of India

Introduction

• CP Radhakrishnan has been elected as India’s 15th Vice President.
• The election followed the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Why in news?

• CP Radhakrishnan defeated former Supreme Court Judge B Sudershan Reddy.
• Vote tally: Radhakrishnan secured 452 votes; Reddy garnered 300 votes.
• Voting turnout was 98.2%.

 Background

• Served as Governor of Jharkhand, Telangana, Puducherry, and Maharashtra.
• Professionally an agriculturist and industrialist.
• Twoterm member of the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore.

Significance

• Holds the secondhighest constitutional office in India (Article 63).
• Serves as the exofficio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• Acts as President in the President’s absence or when the office falls vacant (Article 65).
• Third leader from Tamil Nadu to hold the position of Vice President.

Facts/General knowledge

• Election and eligibility: Elected by MPs from both Houses of Parliament via proportional representation.

• Must be an Indian citizen, at least 35 years old, and qualified for Rajya Sabha membership.
• Term and vacancy: Serves a fiveyear term, with the possibility of continuing until a successor is elected.

• Removal: Can be removed by a resolution in the Rajya Sabha and approval from the Lok Sabha, with a 14day notice (Article 67).

• Notable officeholders and precedents: Only Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (1st and 2nd VP, elected unopposed both times) and Mohammad Hamid Ansari (13th and 14th VP, 2007–2017) have served two consecutive terms.
• Apart from S. Radhakrishnan, M. Hidayatullah (7th VP) and Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (9th VP) were also elected unopposed.
• Krishan Kant (10th VP, 1997–2002) was the first and only Vice President to die while in office.
• Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah is the only person in Indian history to have served as Chief Justice of India, Acting President, and Vice President.

Justice Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri takes oath as Chief Justice of Patna High Court

Introduction

• On 21 September 2025, Justice Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri took oath as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court at Raj Bhavan, Patna.
• The oath was administered by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and other dignitaries.

Why in news?

• Justice Bajanthri has been elevated as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court.
• The oathtaking ceremony in Patna formalised this appointment.

Background

• Justice Bajanthri is a senior judge with vast judicial experience.
• He previously served in other High Courts, contributing significantly to judicial reforms and key constitutional matters.
• His elevation reflects ongoing judicial reshuffles approved by the Supreme Court Collegium and the Government of India to strengthen leadership across High Courts.

Significance

• Judicial leadership: As Chief Justice, he will oversee administration, case management, and reforms in the Patna High Court, one of India’s oldest High Courts.
• Strengthening Bihar’s judiciary: The appointment comes at a crucial time to address pending cases and improve judicial infrastructure in Bihar.
• Part of broader changes: It aligns with recent appointments in several High Courts following the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendations to streamline the justice system.

Facts/General knowledge

• Patna High Court was established on 1 March 1916.
• It was inaugurated by the GovernorGeneral and Viceroy of India, Lord Hardinge.
• Its jurisdiction covers the entire state of Bihar.
• It is known for landmark rulings in constitutional, criminal, and socioeconomic matters.

Justice M Sundar sworn in as Chief Justice of Manipur High Court

Introduction

• Justice M Sundar was sworn in as the 10th Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court on 15 September 2025.
• The oath was administered by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at around 10 a.m.
• The ceremony took place at Darbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, in Imphal.

Why in news?

• The appointment follows the retirement of Justice Kempaiah Somashekar, who had a brief tenure beginning on 22 May 2025 and retired a day before the swearingin.
• It marks another significant appointment in India’s higher judiciary.

Background

• Born on 19 July 1966 in Chennai, Justice Sundar graduated from Madras Law College as part of the first batch of the fiveyear integrated law course.
• He enrolled as an advocate in 1989 and built a strong legal practice over two decades, primarily before the Madras High Court.
• He was elevated as a permanent judge of the Madras High Court in October 2016.
• Before his transfer to Manipur, he was the second seniormost judge at the Madras High Court, reflecting extensive experience and seniority.

Significance

• The appointment aligns with a broader trend of experienced judges from southern high courts being appointed to head northeastern state judiciaries.
• This fosters regional balance and judicial diversity.

Facts/General knowledge

• Justice Sundar’s elevation followed a recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium.
• The Supreme Court Collegium, comprising the Chief Justice of India and senior judges, plays a central role in the appointment of high court judges in India.