Lok Sabha Passes Supreme Court Judge Strength Bill

The Lok Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, on 3 August 2026 without debate. The Bill seeks to raise the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.

Supreme Court Strength in India

The Supreme Court of India was established under Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India. Article 124 provides for the composition of the Supreme Court, and Parliament has the power to regulate the number of judges by law. The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court was increased to 33 judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2019. That change raised the total strength to 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.

Legislative Process for Judge Strength

The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on 20 July 2026. The Union Cabinet approved the legislative proposal in May 2026. The Bill replaces the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, which was promulgated by the President in May 2026. The Ordinance had increased the number of judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India.

Case Pendency and Judicial Capacity

As of 1 January 2026, the Supreme Court had 92,101 pending cases. The court has operated with nearly its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges since 2019, while the number of fresh cases has continued to exceed disposals. Increasing sanctioned strength is a statutory measure used to expand judicial capacity in the apex court. The Supreme Court hears constitutional matters, civil appeals, criminal appeals, and special leave petitions under Article 136 of the Constitution.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Supreme Court of India was inaugurated on 28 January 1950.
• Article 124 of the Constitution deals with the establishment and composition of the Supreme Court.
• Parliament can change the number of Supreme Court judges through ordinary legislation.
• The Chief Justice of India is included in the total sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court.

Previous Amendment

In 2019, Parliament passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2019, on 8 August 2019. That law increased the sanctioned strength from 30 to 33 judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India.