Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Five Andhra Pradesh High Court Additional Judges For Permanent Appointment

In a significant move for the Andhra Pradesh judiciary, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended five additional judges of the Andhra Pradesh High Court for appointment as permanent judges. The decision, taken at the Collegium's meeting on September 23, 2026, paves the way for the judges to assume permanent positions following the issuance of orders by the President of India.

The Five Recommended Judges

The Supreme Court Collegium has approved the following judges for permanent appointment:

  • Justice Maheswara Rao Kuncheam @ Kuncham
  • Justice Thoota Chandra Dhana Sekar @ T.C.D. Sekhar
  • Justice Challa Gunaranjan
  • Justice Avadhanam Hari Haranadha Sarma
  • Dr. Justice Yadavalli Lakshmana Rao

Profiles of the Judges

The Collegium considered the individual qualifications and extensive legal experience of each judge before making its recommendation.

Justice Maheswara Rao Kuncheam @ Kuncham

Justice Kuncheam obtained a Bachelor of Academic Laws & Bachelor of Law (B.A.L., B.L.) from S.V. University, Tirupathi, and enrolled with the Bar Council of India on February 17, 1998. In 2000, he shifted his practice to the High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad. He served as Standing Counsel for several prominent public sector undertakings, including the Food Corporation of India, Central Warehousing Corporation, H.P.C.L., United India Insurance Company, and New India Assurance Company. He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh on October 28, 2024.

Justice Thoota Chandra Dhana Sekar @ T.C.D. Sekhar

Justice Sekhar obtained his Bachelor of Law (B.L.) degree from V.R. Law College, Nellore, and enrolled as an Advocate on March 11, 1999, on the rolls of the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh. He served as the Government Pleader for Commercial Taxes for the State of Andhra Pradesh in the High Court from September 2019 until his elevation to the Bench. He was appointed as an Additional Judge on October 28, 2024.

Justice Challa Gunaranjan

Justice Gunaranjan completed his degree and law studies at Hyderabad and enrolled as an Advocate in 2001. He served as a Standing Counsel for the Medical Council of India from 2011 to 2013 and appeared for various educational institutions at the High Court. He also appeared for various Government of India Public Sector Undertakings as Special Counsel before Tribunals and the High Court. He was appointed as an Additional Judge on October 28, 2024.

Justice Avadhanam Hari Haranadha Sarma

Justice Sarma obtained a B.L. Degree from V.R. Law College, Nellore, affiliated with Sri Venkateswara University, and enrolled as an Advocate on March 2, 1994. He was selected as a District Judge by direct recruitment and joined the Higher Judicial Service in 2007. He served in various capacities, including Special Judge at Mahila Court-cum-VI Additional District and Sessions Judge, Visakhapatnam, and subsequently as Principal District and Sessions Judge in Ananthapur, Guntur, and Visakhapatnam. He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the High Court on January 24, 2025.

Dr. Justice Yadavalli Lakshmana Rao

Justice Rao obtained his B.A.L., B.L. at V.R. Law College, Nellore, and further obtained a Doctorate in Law from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. He served as I Additional District & Sessions Judge, Eluru, and worked in several key judicial roles before being appointed as Registrar (Judicial) and later Registrar General of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. He was elevated as an Additional Judge on January 24, 2025.

Collegium's Resolution

The Supreme Court Collegium stated in its resolution : "The Supreme Court Collegium , in its meeting held on 23rd September 2026 , has approved the proposals for appointment of the following Additional Judges as Permanent Judges of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh ." The judges will take the oath as permanent judges following the issuance of orders by the President of India .

This recommendation ensures the continued strength and experience of the Andhra Pradesh High Court bench, drawing from both the bar and the judicial service to maintain the quality of justice delivery in the state.