Which landmark Supreme Court ruling institutionalized the 'Collegium System' for the appointment and transfer of judges in the higher judiciary?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Second Judges Case adjudicated in 1993 formally established the Collegium system, ensuring that the Chief Justice of India and senior-most colleagues wielded decisive authority in judicial appointments and transfers. The earlier First Judges Case had granted executive primacy in these appointments, which was subsequently overturned by this landmark ruling. This institutional mechanism aims to safeguard judicial independence from executive interference.