Breaking: SC Collegium Recommends Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai as Chief Justice of Patna High Court

In a landmark decision for gender diversity and judicial excellence, the Supreme Court Collegium has officially recommended the appointment of Ms. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai as the next Chief Justice of the High Court of Judicature at Patna.

As per the official statement released by the Collegium, the recommendation was finalized during its meeting held on May 22, 2026. Justice Rai, who is currently serving as a senior judge at the High Court of Sikkim, will succeed the incumbent Chief Justice following their retirement on June 4, 2026.

The official release detailing this momentous transition can be viewed below:

A Major Milestone for Gender Diversity in Patna High Court

The recommendation of Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai marks a deeply significant milestone in the history of the Patna High Court. While the court has previously been led by a woman, Justice Rekha Manharlal Doshit, who served as the first female Chief Justice from 2010 to 2014, it has been over a decade since a woman has occupied the top judicial chair in Bihar.

Justice Rai’s impending appointment injects a fresh wave of representation and inspiration into the state’s legal framework, emphasizing the judiciary’s ongoing focus on gender inclusivity at its highest echelons.

Who is Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai? A Profile in Excellence

Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai brings a wealth of administrative acumen and a trailblazing track record to her new role. Her career is filled with several historic “firsts” for her home state of Sikkim:

• Distinguished Education: Born on July 12, 1964, she completed her schooling in Gangtok and Kurseong. She graduated with honors in Political Science from the prestigious Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, and went on to earn her LLB from the Campus Law Centre, Delhi University, in 1989.
• Early Practice: She enrolled with the Bar Association of Delhi in 1990, practicing before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India.
• Sikkim Judicial Services Pioneer: On December 11, 1990, she made history as the first woman from Sikkim to be appointed as a Judicial Magistrate 1st Class.
• Rise Through the Ranks: Over the next two decades, she served with distinction across various capacities, including Chief Judicial Magistrate, District & Sessions Judge, and Registrar General of the Sikkim High Court.
• High Court Elevation: On April 15, 2015, she smashed yet another glass ceiling by becoming the first female judge of the High Court of Sikkim.
• Leadership Experience: Proving her steady leadership, she has successfully stepped in as the Acting Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court on multiple occasions (in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2025).
• Social Advocacy: Alongside her courtroom responsibilities, she has been deeply committed to legal aid, actively pushing for equal opportunities for the girl child and driving awareness campaigns for domestic abuse victims and accessible mediation.