Allahabad High Court: History, Jurisdiction, and Structure of India's Largest High Court

The allahabad high court, officially known as the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, serves as the highest judicial authority for the state of Uttar Pradesh. As one of the oldest high courts in India, it is distinguished not only by its historical legacy but also by its scale, maintaining the highest number of serving judges of any high court in the country.

Institutional Overview and Leadership

The court operates under the authority of the Constitution of India, with judges serving until a mandatory retirement age of 62. As of February 5, 2024, the court is led by Chief Justice Arun Bhansali [1].

One of the most notable aspects of the court is its composition. It has a sanctioned strength of 160 judges, which is the highest in India. This capacity is split between permanent and additional positions, with one source noting a structure of 120 permanent and 40 additional judges [1].

Seats and Jurisdiction

The court manages its vast jurisdiction through two primary locations to ensure better accessibility for litigants across Uttar Pradesh:

• Principal Seat: Located in Prayagraj (formerly known as Allahabad).
• Permanent Circuit Bench: Located in Lucknow, the administrative capital of the state.

Historically, the court's jurisdiction was even broader; until November 9, 2000, it also held jurisdiction over the districts that now comprise the state of Uttarakhand, prior to the establishment of the Uttarakhand High Court [1].

Historical Evolution

The court's origins date back to the mid-19th century. It was established on March 17, 1866, in Agra under the Indian High Courts Act 1861, replacing the old Sadr Diwani Adalat [1]. The seat of the court later shifted to Allahabad in 1875, and its name was officially changed to the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad on March 11, 1919 [1].

Further expansion occurred on February 25, 1948, when the Chief Court of Oudh, based in Lucknow, was amalgamated with the Allahabad High Court, leading to the current dual-seat arrangement [1].

Recent Search Trends

In early October 2026, there was a notable spike in search interest for the "allahabad high court" in India. Google Trends recorded approximately 500 searches with a 200% growth rate around October 5-6, 2026 [2]. This surge coincided with the publication of legal roundups and monthly digests by LiveLaw, which typically summarize key judgments and proceedings from the court.