President Appoints Additional Judges to Karnataka High Court under Article 224

In a recent press communiqué, the Ministry of Law and Justice announced that the President has exercised powers under Article 224 to make three appointments to the Karnataka High Court . Key Developments Smt. Rajeshwari Narayana Hegde appointed as an Additional Judge effective from the date she assumes charge, serving until her superannuation on 17 March 2028 . Smt. Kedambadi Ganesh Shanthi appointed as an Additional Judge for a period of two years, from the date she assumes charge. Shri Brungesh Mahadevappa appointed as an Additional Judge for a period of two years, from the date he assumes charge. Important Facts The appointments are made under the President’s authority per Article 224, which allows for temporary judges to manage increased caseloads. The tenure of the two-year appointments ends automatically after the period unless extended. The first appointment is a permanent post until retirement, reflecting the need for a long‑term judicial presence. UPSC Relevance Understanding the constitutional provision of Article 224 is essential for GS 2 (Polity) as it illustrates the balance between executive power and judicial independence. The role of the Ministry of Law and Justice in communicating such appointments highlights administrative procedures. Knowledge of judicial appointments aids in answering questions on the Indian judicial system, separation of powers, and constitutional mechanisms. Way Forward Monitoring the performance of the newly appointed judges will be crucial to assess the effectiveness of additional judges in reducing case backlogs. Future appointments may follow a similar pattern, reinforcing the importance of Article 224 in maintaining judicial efficiency.