The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026. This bill, set to be presented in Parliament, aims to raise the number of judges in the apex court from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. The move is intended to enhance the court’s efficiency and ensure prompt justice delivery.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, with the goal of improving the functioning of the Supreme Court. By increasing the number of judges, the court is expected to handle cases more effectively, reduce backlog, and provide timely justice to litigants. The financial implications of this expansion, including judges’ salaries and necessary infrastructure, will be covered by the Consolidated Fund of India.
The decision to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court is based on Article 124(1) of the Constitution, which allows Parliament to determine the court’s composition. Over the years, the strength of the apex court has been periodically revised through amendments to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. Initially set at 10 judges (excluding the Chief Justice of India), the number has seen increments to reach 33 in 2019. The upcoming Bill is slated for introduction in the forthcoming parliamentary session.
