
What is Article 216 of Indian constitution
Article 216 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Constitution of High Courts
🔹 Text Summary:
Article 216 states that each High Court shall consist of a Chief Justice and other judges as appointed by the President of India from time to time. It does not fix any minimum or maximum number of judges.
📌 Full Provision:
“Every High Court shall consist of a Chief Justice and such other Judges as the President may from time to time deem it necessary to appoint.”
🧠 Key Takeaways:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Who appoints judges? | The President of India (under Article 217). |
| How many judges? | No fixed number — depends on the workload and recommendation by the judiciary/government. |
| Who decides strength? | The President, based on the advice of the Chief Justice of India, Governor of the State, and the Chief Justice of the High Court. |
| Type of Judges | Permanent Judges and Additional/Acting Judges (under Articles 224 & 224A). |
🏛️ Real-Life Example:
-
The Allahabad High Court has the highest sanctioned strength among all High Courts in India, with over 160 judges, including Chief Justice.
-
The President may increase or decrease this strength based on caseload or government/judicial recommendations.
⚖️ Related Articles:
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| 216 | Constitution of High Courts |
| 217 | Appointment and conditions of judges |
| 224 | Appointment of Additional and Acting Judges |
| 214 | High Court for each State |
| 215 | High Court as a Court of Record |

Follow Us