Supreme Court Publishes Full Appointment Procedure For Judges To The Supreme Court And High Courts

In a historic first since India’s independence, the Supreme Court has taken a bold stride towards institutional transparency by making the asset declarations of its judges publicly accessible. This groundbreaking initiative, announced on Monday evening, marks a new chapter in the judiciary’s commitment to openness and public trust.

 

As of now, the asset statements of 21 out of the 33 sitting Supreme Court judges have been uploaded to the Court's official website. These disclosures include details of movable and immovable properties held either individually or jointly with spouses or dependents—something that, until now, remained confidential.

 

In its official statement, the apex court said:

 

> “The full court of the Supreme Court of India has on April 1, 2025, decided that the statements of assets of the judges of this court shall be placed in the public domain by uploading the same on the website of this court. Statements of assets of judges already received are being uploaded. Statements of assets of other judges will be uploaded as and when the current statement of assets is received.”

 

 

 

The decision was taken unanimously by the full court, presided over by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, in the backdrop of rising public discourse around judicial accountability and transparency.

 

Key Declarations: A Glimpse into Judicial Lives

 

Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who assumed office in November 2024 and is set to retire on May 13, 2025, has declared ownership of a three-bedroom DDA flat in South Delhi. His financial assets include Fixed Deposit Receipts and bank balances totalling ?55.75 lakh, a Public Provident Fund (PPF) worth ?1.06 crore, and a 2015 model Maruti Swift.

 

Justice B.R. Gavai, who will succeed CJI Khanna, has disclosed ownership of a house in Amaravati (inherited), a flat in Delhi’s Defence Colony, and agricultural land in Amaravati and Nagpur. His investments include shares, mutual funds, ?76.59 lakh in PPF, and a significant ?2.35 crore in the General Provident Fund (GPF).

 

Justice Surya Kant, next in line to become CJI after Justice Gavai, has declared houses in Chandigarh and Gurugram, and a flat in Delhi. His financial portfolio includes 16 FDRs worth ?4.11 crore and ?3.74 crore in the GPF.

 

 

These declarations are more than numbers—they reflect a willingness by the judiciary to be answerable to the people it serves.

 

A Step Towards Greater Trust

 

Until now, judges were required to file asset declarations confidentially with the Chief Justice of India. With this new policy, the Supreme Court has chosen to go beyond tradition, setting a precedent for openness in public life.

 

As Chief Justice Khanna leads this transformation, the message is clear: public service comes with public accountability. In the spirit of a vibrant democracy, the judiciary has shown that transparency is not just a demand—it is a duty.

 

Accessing the Declarations

 

Citizens can now view the asset disclosures of Supreme Court judges through the official website of the Supreme Court of India:

https://www.sci.gov.in

 

This initiative not only fosters public confidence but also underscores the judiciary’s dedication to the principles of integrity and transparency.

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