Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 Introduced to Increase Judges Strength

Key Facts

• The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in Lok Sabha on 20 July 2026 during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
• The Bill seeks to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, increasing the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India — making total sanctioned strength 38 including the Chief Justice.
• The last increase in sanctioned strength occurred in 2019, when the number of judges was raised from 30 to 33, excluding the Chief Justice of India.
• The Union Cabinet approved the proposal for this amendment on 5 May 2026.
• The Bill is intended to replace the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, which was promulgated by the President in May 2026 when Parliament was not in session.
• There is a backlog of approximately 92,385 cases pending in the Supreme Court, which this increase in judges aims to help address.
• The increase in number of judges under the Act requires only a simple majority in Parliament, as it amends a statutory law, not the Constitution.

Background & Context

• The Supreme Court of India is the apex judicial body established under Part V of the Constitution of India.
• The number of judges in the Supreme Court is governed by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, a statutory law which can be amended by Parliament through ordinary legislation (requiring a simple majority), without any constitutional amendment.
• An ordinance under Article 123 of the Constitution is a temporary law promulgated by the President when Parliament is not in session; the 2026 Ordinance served as an immediate measure pending the Bill's formal passage.
• The judiciary faces significant delays due to a substantial backlog of cases, currently around 92,385 pending in the Supreme Court.

Why This Matters for Exams

• Understanding the legislative procedure for increasing the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges illustrates how statutory laws relating to judiciary composition can be amended without constitutional amendment.
• This change highlights current efforts to tackle judicial backlog, a key issue relevant to governance and current affairs sections.
• Important names, dates, numbers, and institutional processes are frequently tested, including: 20 July 2026 (Bill introduction), 5 May 2026 (Union Cabinet approval), sanctioned strength details, and the concept of ordinance to Bill transition.
• This topic combines constitutional provisions, parliamentary procedure, judicial administration, and legislative intent—critical for exam preparation in law, polity, and general studies.

Points to Remember

• The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on 20 July 2026 to raise judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India.
• The change is aimed to improve judicial functioning and reduce backlog of around 92,385 cases.
• The Bill replaces the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 which was promulgated earlier in May 2026.
• The Union Cabinet approved the proposal on 5 May 2026.
• The Supreme Court is established under Part V of the Constitution, but the number of judges is fixed by a statutory act, amendable without a constitutional amendment.
• Increasing judges requires a simple majority in Parliament since it amends a statutory law, not the Constitution.