Which landmark judgment of the Supreme Court established the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) as unconstitutional and void, reaffirming the Collegium system?

💡 Solution & Explanation

In the Fourth Judges Case, specifically Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association versus Union of India in 2015, the Supreme Court struck down the ninety-ninth Constitutional Amendment Act and the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act as unconstitutional for violating judicial independence. Earlier precedents like the Second Judges Case of 1993 had originally laid down the foundation for the judicial Collegium appointment mechanism. This judgment reinforced the primacy of the judiciary in appointing judges to the higher courts of India.