Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, who retired from the Supreme Court in October 2014, has become the government's preferred choice for leading crucial national commissions. At 76, she now heads the Eighth Central Pay Commission, tasked with recommending salary and benefit revisions for approximately 50 lakh central government employees and 69 lakh pensioners within 18 months. Her post-retirement career includes chairing the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (2014-2017), the Advance Ruling Authority for Income Tax, and the Lokpal Search Committee since 2018. She also led the Jammu and Kashmir Delimitation Commission in 2020, a politically sensitive assignment following the abrogation of Article 370. The commission's 2022 report increased Assembly seats in Jammu by six and Kashmir by one, enabling the first Assembly elections after the constitutional changes. Additionally, Justice Desai headed expert committees examining Uniform Civil Code implementation in both Uttarakhand and Gujarat. Colleagues praise her meticulous approach, consensus-building skills, and legal acumen. Born in Mumbai, she joined the legal profession in 1973, became a Bombay High Court judge in 1996, and was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2011, delivering several landmark verdicts during her tenure.
Trusted Leader for Politically Sensitive Assignments
Justice Desai has handled several high-stakes government assignments since retirement. In 2020, she chaired the Delimitation Commission for Jammu and Kashmir following the scrapping of its special status. Originally given one year, the deadline extended multiple times due to initial boycotts by National Conference MPs. The commission's May 2022 report increased Assembly seats to 43 in Jammu and 47 in Kashmir, redrawing boundaries for Anantnag and Jammu Lok Sabha constituencies. Though all parties except the BJP contested the findings, the delimitation enabled Assembly elections in 2024. She also chairs the Lokpal Search Committee since 2018, recommending candidates for anti-corruption ombudsman positions. Her ability to navigate complex political and legal terrain has made her indispensable for sensitive national matters.
Leading Uniform Civil Code Initiatives Across States
In 2022, the BJP government in Uttarakhand appointed Justice Desai to examine Uniform Civil Code implementation, following the party's election manifesto promise. Her panel submitted its final report in February 2024, making Uttarakhand the first state to implement a UCC. The Union government reportedly used these findings as a template for drafting its own UCC legislation. The same year, Justice Desai became Chairperson of the Press Council of India. Earlier in 2025, BJP-ruled Gujarat formed a five-member committee under her leadership to assess UCC necessity and draft legislation. Though initially expected within 45 days, the panel sought extensions. The Gujarat High Court rejected demands to include minority community members. Her systematic approach and consensus-building skills have proven valuable in these contentious assignments.
Distinguished Judicial Career and Landmark Verdicts
Born in Mumbai, Justice Desai studied law at Elphinstone College and Government Law College, joining the profession in 1973. She worked in chambers of Justice S C Pratap and her father, criminal lawyer S G Samant. Appointed Government Pleader in 1979, she became Chief Government Pleader in 1995. Elevated to Bombay High Court on April 15, 1996, she famously confirmed Ajmal Kasab's death sentence after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Her Supreme Court tenure from September 2011 included landmark judgments: upholding voters' right to reject candidates through NOTA in 2013, mandating FIR registration for cognisable offences, and rejecting Novartis's patent claim for cancer drug Glivec, ensuring affordable generic medicines. Colleagues consistently praise her meticulous legal knowledge, hard work, and compassionate leadership style.
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