Q1. Assertion (A): When the Supreme Court Collegium reiterates a recommendation for a High Court judge's appointment unanimously, the executive is bound to act on it. Reason (R): Article 217 of the Constitution, as interpreted in the Second (1993) and Third Judges (1998) Cases, gives the judiciary primacy in the appointment of High Court judges. Choose the correct option:
Explanation
Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion. The Second Judges Case (1993) interpreted 'consultation' under Articles 124 and 217 as requiring the concurrence of the judiciary, and the Third Judges Case (1998) clarified that a unanimous reiteration by the Collegium is binding on the executive. The 14 April 2026 batch of 10 High Court appointments under CJI Surya Kant proceeds within this framework.
