What is Article 224 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 224: Appointment of additional and acting Judges (1) If by reason of any temporary increase in the business of a High Court or by reason of arrears of
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224

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Bare Acts Text

Article 224: Appointment of additional and acting Judges

  • (1) If by reason of any temporary increase in the business of a High Court or by reason of arrears of work therein, it appears to the President that the number of the Judges of that Court should be for the time being increased, the President
    may, in consultation with the National Judicial Appointments Commission, appoint duly qualified persons to be additional Judges of the Court for such period not exceeding two years as he may specify.
  • (2) When any Judge of a High Court other than the Chief Justice is by reason of absence or for any other reason unable to perform the duties of his office or is appointed to act temporarily as Chief Justice, the President may, in consultation with the National Judicial Appointments Commission, appoint a duly qualified person to act as a Judge of that Court until the permanent Judge has resumed his duties.
  • (3) No person appointed as an additional or acting Judge of a High Court shall hold office after attaining the age of sixty-two years.
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Full Definition & Explanation

Article 224 of the Indian Constitution allows for the appointment of additional and acting judges in High Courts under specific conditions. This provision is key during times when there is a temporary surge in cases or major backlog in the courts. The President of India can appoint these judges, but only after consulting the National Judicial Appointments Commission. This ensures that the judicial process remains efficient and that cases do not pile up, impacting the right to justice for citizens. The article outlines two main scenarios for appointing judges. First, if there is an increase in the workload of a High Court, the President can appoint additional judges for a maximum period of two years. This flexibility helps the judiciary manage fluctuating case loads effectively. Second, if a current judge is unable to fulfill their duties due to absence or other reasons, the President can appoint someone to act temporarily until the permanent judge resumes their work. This provision is critical for maintaining judicial continuity and ensuring that justice is not delayed. There are limits to these appointments as well. No additional or acting judge can hold office after reaching the age of 62 years. This age restriction ensures that judges can serve without compromising their capacity to perform their duties effectively. Overall, Article 224 plays a major role in maintaining the efficacy and efficiency of the judiciary, helping to ensure timely justice for individuals seeking redress in the courts.

Historical Context

This provision is key during times when there is a temporary surge in cases or major backlog in the courts. The President of India can appoint these judges, but only after consulting the National Judicial Appointments Commission. This ensures that the judicial process remains efficient and that cases do not pile up, impacting the right to justice for citizens. The article outlines two main scenarios for appointing judges. Article 224 of the Indian Constitution allows for the appointment of additional and acting judges in High Courts under specific conditions. First, if there is an increase in the workload of a High Court, the President can appoint additional judges for a maximum period of two years.

Key Features

– The President can appoint additional judges for High Courts.
– Judges can serve for a maximum of two years.
– The National Judicial Appointments Commission must be consulted for appointments.
– Acting judges fill in for absent judges temporarily.
– No judge can serve beyond the age of sixty-two years.

Importance & Impact

– It helps manage increased case loads in High Courts effectively.
– Ensures continuity in judicial functions during a judge’s absence
– Promotes timely justice by reducing case backlogs
– Maintains the quality of judicial appointments through consultation
– Supports the independence of the judiciary in maintaining its functions.

Sample UPSC Question

Which of the following statements about Article 224 of the Indian Constitution is correct? Consider that: Article 224 of the Indian Constitution allows for the appointment of additional and acting judges in High Courts under specific conditions in the context of Article 224. A) It allows for the appointment of judges for life. B) It mandates the appointment of additional judges during increased workload. C) Additional judges can serve beyond the age of sixty-five. D) The Chief Justice appoints additional judges without consultation. Select the correct answer.

Answer

The correct answer is B. Article 224 allows for the appointment of additional judges in High Courts during times of increased workload, ensuring timely justice. Article 224 of the Indian Constitution allows for the appointment of additional and acting judges in High Courts under specific conditions.

Key Takeaways

✓ The President can appoint additional judges during busy periods.
✓ Acting judges temporarily fill in for absent judges.
✓ Judges appointed cannot exceed the age of sixty-two.
✓ Consultation with the National Judicial Appointments Commission is required.
✓ Timely justice is promoted through these provisions

FAQs

Article 224 of the Indian Constitution allows for the appointment of additional and acting judges in High Courts under specific conditions. This provision is key during times when there is a temporary surge in cases or major backlog in the courts. The President of India can appoint these judges, but only after consulting the National Judicial Appointments Commission.

This flexibility helps the judiciary manage fluctuating case loads effectively. Second, if a current judge is unable to fulfill their duties due to absence or other reasons, the President can appoint someone to act temporarily until the permanent judge resumes their work. This provision is critical for maintaining judicial continuity and ensuring that justice is not delayed.

No additional or acting judge can hold office after reaching the age of 62 years. This age restriction ensures that judges can serve without compromising their capacity to perform their duties effectively. Overall, Article 224 plays a major role in maintaining the efficacy and efficiency of the judiciary, helping to ensure timely justice for individuals seeking redress in the courts.

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Pramod is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of StudyHub. He holds a Master's degree and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geology, alongside more than 7+ years spent building and verifying competitive exam content for Indian aspirants. He leads StudyHub's editorial process across Indian Polity, the Constitution, Indian Economy, History, Geography, Science, and the platform's other subject areas — checking every article against primary sources (bare act text and Gazette notifications for constitutional topics, government and Economic Survey data for economy content, standard reference material elsewhere) and flagging it for re-verification whenever a relevant amendment, policy, or data update makes an earlier version outdated.
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