The Centre has approved the appointment of two judges to the Punjab and Haryana High Court as recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium. Shri Ramesh Chande Dimri and Ms. Neerja Kulwant Kalson have been appointed as Additional Judges for a two-year term starting from their assumption of office.
The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, endorsed the elevation of the two judicial officers to the Punjab and Haryana High Court during a meeting held on December 16, 2025. The proposal for their appointment was initially set in motion by the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in consultation with the two most senior colleagues.
According to the memorandum of procedure governing the appointment of High Court judges, the Chief Justice is responsible for initiating the proposal for appointments. If the Chief Minister wishes to propose a name, it must be forwarded to the Chief Justice for consideration. Subsequently, the Governor, upon the Chief Minister’s advice, forwards the recommendation and related documents to the Union Minister of Law and Justice within six weeks of receiving the proposal from the Chief Justice of the High Court.
The Centre reviews the proposal along with other relevant information before sending it to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) for consultation with the two most senior judges of the Supreme Court. Following these consultations, the CJI finalizes a recommendation within four weeks, which is then sent to the Union Minister of Law and Justice. Once the President signs the warrant of appointment, the Department of Justice Secretary informs the Chief Justice, and the appointment is officially announced and notified in the Gazette of India.
