SC appointments: What is the collegium system, and how does it work?

The collegium is a group consisting of the Chief Justice of India and the four seniormost judges of the Supreme Court that decides the appointment of judges to the apex court

The collegium led by the Chief Justice of India, UU Lalit, has been in the news of late due to its failure to appoint four Supreme Court judges.

What is the collegium? How does it work?

The collegium is a group of CJI and the four seniormost judges of the Supreme Court that decides on appointments of judges to the apex court.

These appointments could be in the form of elevation when High Court judges are appointed to the Supreme Court or direct appointments when experienced lawyers may be directly appointed as Supreme Court judges. The retiring CJI UU Lalit