Under which constitutional provision can a High Court judge resign?

Proviso (a) to clause (1) of Article 217 specifically allows a High Court judge to resign by giving written notice to the President. Relevant for GS2.

Explain the constitutional procedure for the resignation of a High Court judge.

A judge must submit a written notice to the President. The President forwards it to the Governor of the concerned state. Upon acceptance, the resignation is communicated officially, creating a vacancy that the President fills after consulting the Chief Justice of India and the collegium. Relevant for GS2.

Discuss the significance of judicial appointments and resignations in maintaining the independence of the Indian judiciary.

Cover how Article 217 and the collegium system balance executive and judicial inputs, the role of resignations in upholding accountability, recent trends, and suggestions for reforms to strengthen independence. Relevant for GS2.

Justice Alok Kumar Verma Resigns from Utta...

On 27 May 2026, the Ministry of Law and Justice announced that Justice Alok Kumar Verma resigned from the Uttarakhand High Court, effective 30 April 2026, invoking Proviso (a) to clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution. The event highlights constitutional provisions on judicial tenure and is pertinent to UPSC topics on the Indian judiciary and governance.

On 27 May 2026 , the Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification (even number dated 27.05.2026) stating that Justice Alok Kumar Verma has tendered his resignation from the office of Judge of the Uttarakhand High Court . The resignation is made under Proviso (a) to clause (1) of Article 217 of the Article 217 of the Constitution of India , effective from 30 April 2026 . The release is catalogued as Release ID 2266020 by the PIB . Key Developments 27 May 2026: Official notification of resignation issued. Resignation submitted by Justice Alok Kumar Verma. Effective date of resignation: 30 April 2026. Resignation invoked under Proviso (a) to clause (1) of Article 217. Notification released through PIB (Release ID 2266020). Important Facts The resignation of a High Court judge is a rare administrative event. Under Article 217 , a judge may resign by giving a notice in writing to the President of India, who then forwards it to the Governor of the concerned state. The notice period and procedural formalities are governed by the same article. In this case, the resignation was accepted by the President and communicated by the Ministry of Law and Justice. UPSC Relevance This development touches upon several UPSC syllabus points. It illustrates the functioning of the Indian judiciary (GS2: Polity) and the constitutional provisions governing the tenure of High Court judges. Understanding Article 217 helps candidates answer questions on judicial independence and appointment processes. The role of the Ministry of Law and Justice and the PIB in communicating such events is also relevant for questions on governance and public communication. Way Forward While the resignation does not alter the composition of the Uttarakhand High Court , a vacancy will arise that the President, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, must fill. Aspirants should monitor the appointment process, as it will involve the collegium system and may set precedents for future judicial appointments. Keeping track of official releases via the PIB will provide timely updates on such administrative actions.

<p>On <strong>27 May 2026</strong>, the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ministry of Law and Justice — Central government ministry responsible for legal affairs, judicial administration, and law reform in India (GS2: Polity)">Ministry of Law and Justice</span> issued a notification (even number dated 27.05.2026) stating that <span class="key-term" data-definition="Justice Alok Kumar Verma — A sitting judge of the Uttarakhand High Court who submitted his resignation in 2026 (GS2: Polity)">Justice Alok Kumar Verma</span> has tendered his resignation from the office of Judge of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Uttarakhand High Court — The highest judicial authority in the state of Uttarakhand, part of India's High Court system (GS2: Polity)">Uttarakhand High Court</span>. The resignation is made under <span class="key-term" data-definition="Proviso (a) to clause (1) of Article 217 — Specific clause that allows a High Court judge to resign by giving notice (GS2: Polity)">Proviso (a) to clause (1) of Article 217</span> of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Article 217 of the Constitution — Provides for the appointment and conditions of service of High Court judges; includes provisions for resignation (GS2: Polity)">Article 217</span> of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Constitution of India — The supreme law establishing the framework of government, fundamental rights, and duties (GS1: Polity)">Constitution of India</span>, effective from <strong>30 April 2026</strong>. The release is catalogued as Release ID 2266020 by the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Press Information Bureau (PIB) — Official government agency that disseminates information and releases to media (GS2: Polity)">PIB</span>.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>27 May 2026: Official notification of resignation issued.</li> <li>Resignation submitted by Justice Alok Kumar Verma.</li> <li>Effective date of resignation: 30 April 2026.</li> <li>Resignation invoked under Proviso (a) to clause (1) of Article 217.</li> <li>Notification released through PIB (Release ID 2266020).</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The resignation of a High Court judge is a rare administrative event. Under <span class="key-term" data-definition="Article 217 of the Constitution — Provides for the appointment and conditions of service of High Court judges; includes provisions for resignation (GS2: Polity)">Article 217</span>, a judge may resign by giving a notice in writing to the President of India, who then forwards it to the Governor of the concerned state. The notice period and procedural formalities are governed by the same article. In this case, the resignation was accepted by the President and communicated by the Ministry of Law and Justice.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>This development touches upon several UPSC syllabus points. It illustrates the functioning of the Indian judiciary (GS2: Polity) and the constitutional provisions governing the tenure of High Court judges. Understanding <span class="key-term" data-definition="Article 217 of the Constitution — Provides for the appointment and conditions of service of High Court judges; includes provisions for resignation (GS2: Polity)">Article 217</span> helps candidates answer questions on judicial independence and appointment processes. The role of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ministry of Law and Justice — Central government ministry responsible for legal affairs, judicial administration, and law reform in India (GS2: Polity)">Ministry of Law and Justice</span> and the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Press Information Bureau (PIB) — Official government agency that disseminates information and releases to media (GS2: Polity)">PIB</span> in communicating such events is also relevant for questions on governance and public communication.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>While the resignation does not alter the composition of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Uttarakhand High Court — The highest judicial authority in the state of Uttarakhand, part of India's High Court system (GS2: Polity)">Uttarakhand High Court</span>, a vacancy will arise that the President, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, must fill. Aspirants should monitor the appointment process, as it will involve the collegium system and may set precedents for future judicial appointments. Keeping track of official releases via the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Press Information Bureau (PIB) — Official government agency that disseminates information and releases to media (GS2: Polity)">PIB</span> will provide timely updates on such administrative actions.</p>

Quick Reference

Key Insight

Judge’s resignation under Article 217 highlights constitutional safeguards for judicial independence.

Key Facts

27 May 2026: Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification of resignation.
Justice Alok Kumar Verma tendered resignation from Uttarakhand High Court.
Resignation became effective on 30 April 2026.
Resignation invoked Proviso (a) to clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution.
Article 217 requires a written notice to the President, who forwards it to the state Governor.
The President accepted the resignation and communicated it through PIB (Release ID 2266020).
The vacancy will be filled by the President after consulting the Chief Justice of India and the collegium.

Background

Article 217 governs the appointment, service conditions and resignation of High Court judges, ensuring procedural safeguards and judicial independence. A judge's resignation is rare and highlights the constitutional checks involving the President, Governor, and the collegium system.

Mains Angle

GS‑2 (Polity) – candidates can discuss how the resignation process reflects judicial independence and the collegium’s role in filling vacancies, linking it to broader debates on judicial reforms.

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Justice Alok Kumar Verma Resigns from Uttarakhand High Court under Article 217 — Implications for Judiciary

Overview

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Analysis

Practice Questions

Prelims MCQ

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Mains Essay

Quick Reference

Key Insight

Key Facts

Background

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