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List of High Courts in India: India has 25 High Courts, serving as the top judicial bodies at the state and union territory levels. These courts handle civil and criminal cases from their respective regions and oversee subordinate courts. The oldest High Court is the Calcutta High Court, established in 1862, while the newest is the Andhra Pradesh High Court, re-established in 2019. Each High Court has jurisdiction over one or more states or union territories, with some, like the Bombay High Court, overseeing multiple regions. These courts play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice across the country.
How many High Courts are there in India?
India has a rich judicial system, with a total of 25 High Courts spread across the country. These High Courts serve as the highest judicial authorities in their respective states or union territories. The oldest High Court in India is the Calcutta High Court, established in 1862, while the 25th High Court in India is the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which was re-established in 2019. This is the list of total number of High Courts in India, each responsible for handling cases within its territorial jurisdiction. The number of judges in High Courts of India varies depending on the size and population of the state, with appointments made by the President of India, based on the recommendations of the Collegium system. Here is the List of High Courts in India with their establishment year and current chief justices.
List of Total Number of High Courts in India
| High Court | Year of Establishment | Current Chief Justice | Seat | Bench(es) | Territorial Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allahabad High Court | 1866 | Pritinker Diwaker | Allahabad | Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh |
| Andhra Pradesh High Court | 1954 (Re-established 2019) | Dhiraj Singh Thakur | Amaravati | None | Andhra Pradesh |
| Bombay High Court | 1862 | Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya | Mumbai | Nagpur, Aurangabad, Goa | Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu |
| Calcutta High Court | 1862 | T. S. Sivagnanam | Kolkata | Port Blair | West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
| Chhattisgarh High Court | 2000 | Ramesh Sinha | Bilaspur | None | Chhattisgarh |
| Delhi High Court | 1966 | Satish Chandra Sharma | New Delhi | None | National Capital Territory of Delhi |
| Gauhati High Court | 1948 | Sandeep Mehta | Guwahati | Kohima, Aizawl, Itanagar | Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Gujarat High Court | 1960 | Sunita Agarwal | Ahmedabad | None | Gujarat |
| Himachal Pradesh High Court | 1971 | M.S. Ramachandra Rao | Shimla | None | Himachal Pradesh |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court | 1928 (Re-established 2019) | N. Kotiswar Singh | Srinagar | Jammu | Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh |
| Jharkhand High Court | 2000 | Sanjaya Kumar Mishra | Ranchi | None | Jharkhand |
| Karnataka High Court | 1884 | Prasanna B. Varale | Bengaluru | Hubballi-Dharwad, Kalaburagi | Karnataka |
| Kerala High Court | 1956 | A. J. Desai | Ernakulam | None | Kerala, Lakshadweep |
| Madhya Pradesh High Court | 1936 | Ravi Malimath | Jabalpur | Indore, Gwalior | Madhya Pradesh |
| Madras High Court | 1862 | S.V. Gangapurwala | Chennai | Madurai | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry |
| Manipur High Court | 2013 | Siddharth Mridul | Imphal | None | Manipur |
| Meghalaya High Court | 2013 | Sanjib Banerjee | Shillong | None | Meghalaya |
| Orissa High Court | 1948 | Subhasis Talapatra | Cuttack | None | Odisha |
| Patna High Court | 1916 | K. Vinod Chandran | Patna | None | Bihar |
| Punjab and Haryana High Court | 1947 | Ravi Shanker Jha | Chandigarh | None | Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh |
| Rajasthan High Court | 1949 | Augustine George Masih | Jodhpur | Jaipur | Rajasthan |
| Sikkim High Court | 1975 | Biswanath Somadder | Gangtok | None | Sikkim |
| Telangana High Court | 2019 | Alok Aradhe | Hyderabad | None | Telangana |
| Tripura High Court | 2013 | Aparesh Kumar Singh | Agartala | None | Tripura |
| Uttarakhand High Court | 2000 | Vipin Sanghi | Nainital | None | Uttarakhand |
Important Points About High Courts in India
- Delhi High Court: This High Court is notable for being the first paperless High Court in India, highlighting its commitment to modern technology and efficiency.
- Youngest High Court Judge: The title of the youngest High Court judge in India often garners interest, reflecting the evolving and progressive nature of the Indian judiciary.
- States Without High Courts: Not every state has its own High Court. For instance, states like Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram are covered by other High Courts, raising the question, “which state has no High Court in India?”
- Becoming a High Court Lawyer: To understand how to become a High Court lawyer in India, one needs to first gain experience in lower courts. This is a crucial step before practicing in a High Court.
- Appointment of Chief Justices: The Chief Justice of each High Court in India is appointed by the President of India, based on recommendations from the Chief Justice of India and other senior judges. This answers the query, “who appoints the Chief Justice of the High Court in India?”
- Total High Courts in India: There are a total of 25 High Courts in India, each serving a critical role in the judicial system of its respective region.
List of High Courts in India FAQs
Is there any Indian state that doesn't have its own High Court?
All Indian states have their own High Courts, or they are covered by a common High Court shared with other states or union territories.
Can a state have two High Courts in India?
No, a single state cannot have two High Courts. Each state is served by one High Court, although it may have multiple benches in different locations within the state.
Which High Court has the largest jurisdiction?
The Guwahati High Court has the largest jurisdiction, overseeing legal matters in multiple northeastern states, including Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Which Indian High Court operates the most number of benches?
The Bombay High Court has the most benches, with additional ones located in Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Goa, apart from the principal bench in Mumbai.
