Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo sworn in as the 47th Chief Justice of Patna High Court. Read news update with educational insights on collegium system and judicial appointments.
Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, formerly a Judge of the Orissa High Court, was sworn in on Wednesday as the 47th Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. The oath of office was administered by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan at a ceremonial function held at Lok Bhavan, Patna.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by several high-ranking dignitaries, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Choudhary, Rural Works Minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary, judges of the Patna High Court, and senior government officials.
The Union Ministry of Law and Justice had formally notified Justice Sahoo’s appointment on January 1, following approval by the President of India. His name was earlier recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium during its meeting held on December 18, 2025.
Educational Context: How High Court Chief Justices Are Appointed
For law students and judiciary aspirants, this appointment is a practical example of the Collegium System in action.
Constitutional Framework
- Article 217 of the Constitution governs the appointment of High Court judges.
- Chief Justices of High Courts are appointed by the President of India in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and senior Supreme Court judges (Collegium).
Role of the Supreme Court Collegium
The Collegium evaluates:
- Judicial competence
- Integrity
- Seniority
- Administrative capability
Justice Sahoo’s recommendation highlights the importance of judicial merit and experience in elevation to constitutional posts.
Profile of Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo
Academic Background
Justice Sahoo was born in 1964 and has a strong multidisciplinary academic foundation:
- Matriculation from Nuabazar High School, Cuttack
- Bachelor of Science from Stewart Science College
- Master’s degrees in English and Odia from Utkal University
Exam Insight: Judges often possess diverse academic backgrounds, which aids in interpretation, reasoning, and articulation of judgments.
Legal Training and Early Practice
Justice Sahoo enrolled as an advocate with the Odisha State Bar Council on November 26, 1989.
He received legal mentorship from:
- Sarat Chandra Sahoo, his father and a renowned criminal law expert
- Manoranjan Panda, a noted constitutional law authority
This blend of criminal law and constitutional law training shaped his professional expertise.
Judicial Career and Specialisation
Justice Sahoo earned recognition at the Bar for his command over criminal jurisprudence. Acknowledging his legal acumen, he was appointed as a Judge of the Orissa High Court on July 2, 2014.
During his judicial tenure, he became known for:
- Balanced interpretation of criminal statutes
- Adherence to constitutional values
- Clear and reasoned judgments
Why This News Matters for Law Students
This appointment is important from an exam and academic perspective because it covers:
- Judicial Appointments & Collegium System
- High Court administration
- Career progression from Advocate → Judge → Chief Justice
- Current affairs linked with constitutional law
Judiciary mains & interview relevance: Such profiles are often asked to assess awareness of judicial hierarchy and appointment mechanisms.
Quick Exam Takeaways
- Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo is the 47th Chief Justice of Patna High Court
- Appointment notified on January 1
- Collegium recommendation date: December 18, 2025
- Former Judge of Orissa High Court (appointed in 2014)
- Specialisation: Criminal Law
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