Supreme Court Judges Bill 2026: Strength Up From 34 to 38
Why in the news
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal brought a Bill in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session to make the Supreme Court larger. The step responds to concern about the rising pile of pending cases.
Key facts
- Bill: Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced on 20 July 2026.
- New sanctioned strength: 38 including the CJI (earlier 34), an addition of four judges.
- Amends Section 2 of the 1956 Act: “thirty-three” becomes “thirty-seven” (CJI excluded).
- Replaces the ordinance promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu in May 2026; four judges had already been appointed against the higher strength.
- The collegium system of appointment stays as it is.
- Needs only a simple majority, not a constitutional amendment.
| Year | Sanctioned strength |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 8 |
| 1956 | 11 |
| 1960 | 14 |
| 1977/78 | 18 |
| 1986 | 26 |
| 2009 | 31 |
| 2019 | 34 |
| 2026 (proposed) | 38 |
Constitutional background
- Article 124(1): the Court began with the CJI and 7 judges; Parliament may raise the number by law.
- The previous rise came in 2019 (from 30 to 33 excluding the CJI) after a request from then-CJI Ranjan Gogoi.
- For High Courts, Article 216 lets the President vary strength by executive order, whereas the Supreme Court needs an Act of Parliament.
Exam angle
- Article for judges’ number: 124(1).
- Parent statute: Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
- Contrast: HC strength via Article 216 order; SC strength via Parliament.