A High Court is the highest court of a state (or of several states, or of Union Territories). India has 25 High Courts. The oldest three, Calcutta, Bombay and Madras, were set up in 1862 under the Indian High Courts Act, 1861; the newest, Andhra Pradesh (Amaravati) and Telangana (Hyderabad), began in 2019. High Court judges are appointed by the President under Article 217 and retire at 62, three years before Supreme Court judges.
Key facts
- 25 High Courts; Calcutta, Bombay and Madras (1862) are the oldest; Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (1 January 2019) the newest. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Judges hold office until 62 (Article 217); qualification is ten years as a judge or as a High Court advocate.
- Gauhati High Court serves Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland; the Bombay High Court has benches at Aurangabad, Nagpur and Panaji.
- High Courts have writ jurisdiction; all courts are bound by Supreme Court judgments under Article 141.
Latest
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh opened a permanent bench for Ladakh in Leh, inaugurated by CJI Surya Kant on 18 October 2026, with hearings from 21 October; a Presidential regulation of 27 August 2026 created it.
Why exams ask about it
Setters ask the count, the oldest and newest, the retirement age, the Article for UT High Courts and new benches.
Pakka yaad trick
62 for High Court, 65 for Supreme Court: three years more at the top.