Home The Constitution Part V Article 127

Art. 127 Part V: The Union

Appointment of Ad Hoc Judges

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) If at any time there should not be a quorum of the Judges of the Supreme Court available to hold or continue any session of the Court, the Chief Justice of India may, with the previous consent of the President and after consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned, request in writing the attendance at the sittings of the Court, as an ad hoc Judge, for such period as may be necessary, of a Judge of a High Court duly qualified for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court...

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article provides a practical solution for a specific, unusual situation — if the Supreme Court genuinely lacks enough sitting judges to maintain quorum, the Chief Justice of India can temporarily bring in a qualified High Court judge as an 'ad hoc' Supreme Court judge, ensuring the Court can continue functioning.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is a rarely-invoked but practically important safety-valve provision, ensuring the Supreme Court's work never grinds to a complete halt purely due to a temporary shortage of available sitting judges.

Read alongside this one

Art. 128 — Attendance of Retired Judges at Sittings of the Supreme Court

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 127

Does an ad hoc judge have the same powers as a regular Supreme Court judge?

During their temporary tenure under this specific arrangement, yes — they exercise the jurisdiction, powers and privileges of a Supreme Court judge for the specific purpose and duration of their appointment.

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The text above reproduces Article 127 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.