The Gauhati High Court is set to get two new Additional Judges following the Central Government’s notification approving the appointments of advocate Nchumbemo Mozhui and judicial officer Helen Dawngliani.
The appointments were made by the President of India in accordance with the constitutional procedure and after consultation with the Chief Justice of India. The Union Ministry of Law and Justice announced the appointments on September 8, 2026.
Two Appointments for the Gauhati High Court
The latest appointments comprise professionals from two different backgrounds.
Nchumbemo Mozhui, an advocate, has been appointed as an Additional Judge of the Gauhati High Court. Helen Dawngliani, who is serving in the judicial service, has also been appointed as an Additional Judge.
The Centre’s notification followed the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium, which had considered their names at its meeting held on August 18, 2026.
The Collegium had recommended Mozhui and Dawngliani for appointment as judges of the Gauhati High Court. Their names were subsequently cleared through the required governmental process before the appointments were formally notified.
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Nchumbemo Mozhui’s Appointment
Nchumbemo Mozhui is an advocate from Nagaland whose elevation to the High Court bench represents an important development for the state’s legal community.
His name was among those approved by the Supreme Court Collegium in August for appointment to the Gauhati High Court. Following the Centre’s notification, he will serve as an Additional Judge of the High Court.
The appointment is also significant from the perspective of representation of legal professionals from the northeastern region in the higher judiciary.
Helen Dawngliani Joins the High Court Bench
Helen Dawngliani has been appointed from the judicial service.
Before her elevation, Dawngliani had held several judicial and legal responsibilities in Mizoram. Reports state that she has served as a District and Sessions Judge and has also held administrative and legal positions, including work connected with the Gauhati High Court’s Aizawl Bench.
Her appointment is notable because she is reported to become the second Mizo woman to serve as a judge of the Gauhati High Court, following Justice Marli Vankung.
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Supreme Court Collegium Had Recommended Their Names
The appointments followed a recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium on August 18, 2026.
The Collegium had considered two candidates for the Gauhati High Court—advocate Nchumbemo Mozhui and judicial officer Helen Dawngliani. The recommendation was subsequently processed by the Central Government before the President formally approved their appointment as Additional Judges.
This reflects the established process for appointments to the higher judiciary, involving consideration by the Supreme Court Collegium followed by the necessary constitutional and governmental formalities.
Gauhati High Court’s Judicial Strength
The appointment comes at a time when the Gauhati High Court has vacancies against its sanctioned judicial strength.
According to reports following the appointments, the High Court had a working strength of 24 judges against a sanctioned strength of 30. The addition of two Additional Judges is therefore expected to strengthen the available judicial manpower.
The appointments may also contribute to the court’s ability to deal with its workload more effectively.
Appointment Comes Through Constitutional Process
The official notification states that the appointments were made by the President in exercise of constitutional powers and in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
The development is part of a wider round of judicial appointments. On the same occasion, the Centre also notified the appointment of three judicial officers as judges of the Chhattisgarh High Court.
For the Gauhati High Court, however, the two appointments involve one advocate and one judicial officer, bringing professional experience from different areas of the legal system to the bench.
What the Appointments Mean for the Gauhati High Court
The induction of Nchumbemo Mozhui and Helen Dawngliani adds two more judicial officers to the Gauhati High Court at a time when the court remains below its sanctioned strength.
Their appointments are also significant for the northeastern region, particularly because they bring representation from Nagaland and Mizoram into the higher judiciary.
With the formal notification now issued, both appointees will join the Gauhati High Court as Additional Judges in accordance with the applicable judicial appointment process.