Justice Revati Mohite Dere Appointed as Second Female CJ of Meghalaya HC | 14 Jan 2026

Why in News? 

Recently, Justice Revati Mohite Dere was sworn in as the newest Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, becoming the second woman to hold this position in the state's history. 

Key Points

• Appointment: The appointment was made by the President of India under Article 217 of the Constitution, following the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium. 
• Meghalaya High Court: Established on 23rd March , 2013, after an amendment to the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971. 
  • First Chief Justice: Justice T. Meena Kumari was the first female Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, sworn on 23rd March, 2013, following the court's establishment. 
• Appointment Process: The Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the Governor of the state. 
• Significance:Meghalaya is known for its matrilineal social structure, making the appointment of a female Chief Justice particularly symbolic for the state's judicial leadership.  
• Gender Parity: In 2026, India continues to push for higher representation of women in the higher judiciary, where women currently constitute less than 15% of the total judge strength.