NationalSaturday, 8 August 2026·The Hindu - National
Supreme Court examines 2023 CEC appointment law and PM-led selection panel
On July 30, 2026, the Supreme Court heard challenges to the 2023 law on appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, focusing on the PM-led selection panel.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In July 2026, the Supreme Court heard challenges to the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which replaced the CJI with a Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister on the selection panel.
Key specifics
- The hearing was before a Bench headed by Justice Dipankar Datta on July 30, 2026.
- The 2023 Act replaced the Chief Justice of India with a Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister in the CEC selection committee.
- The earlier Anoop Baranwal judgment had envisaged a panel of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and the CJI.
- The Constitution Bench in March 2023 described the CEC as needing “fierce independence, neutrality and honesty”.
- The Court reserved judgment on whether the matter should go to a five-judge Constitution Bench.
Exam lens
Polity and constitutional law question, CEC appointment process, Anoop Baranwal case, 2023 Act, selection committee composition; TNPSC may ask who was removed from the panel and what the earlier judgment said.