Justice Bibhu Prasad Routray appointed acting Orissa High Court chief

Justice Bibhu Prasad Routray has been appointed to perform the duties of Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court following the retirement of Chief Justice Harish Tandon. The notification was issued on 13 November 2026. Tandon is due to retire on 15 November 2026, so the announcement concerns an impending leadership transition rather than a claim that the retirement has already occurred.

The appointment invokes Article 223 of the Constitution. That provision allows the President to appoint another judge of the same High Court to perform the Chief Justice's duties when the office is vacant or when the incumbent cannot perform them because of absence or another reason. Routray was elevated to the Orissa High Court on 8 November 2019. For examination purposes, the central point is the constitutional mechanism that maintains continuity in the Chief Justice's office. The expression acting Chief Justice identifies the performance of those duties under the provision; it should not be treated as interchangeable with a permanent appointment to that office.

Facts to remember

• Notification issued: 13 November 2026; High Court: Orissa.
• Appointed judge: Justice Bibhu Prasad Routray; outgoing Chief Justice: Harish Tandon.
• Tandon’s retirement date: 15 November 2026; Routray’s High Court elevation: 8 November 2019.
• Constitutional provision: Article 223; appointing authority: President of India.

Background

Article 223 addresses two situations: a vacancy in the Chief Justice's office and inability of a serving Chief Justice to discharge its duties. It selects the person who performs those duties from the court's other judges. Reading the trigger, eligible appointee and appointing authority separately helps distinguish this provision from other judicial-appointment provisions.

Why it matters for exams

For CLAT Polity, Judiciary and UGC-NET Law, match Article 223 with an acting High Court Chief Justice and distinguish the notification date from the leadership transition.