Union Cabinet Approves Increase in Supreme Court Judge Strength from 33 to 37

Key Facts

• The Union Cabinet approved the proposal on 5 May 2026.
• The sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges excluding the Chief Justice of India will increase from 33 to 37.
• The total strength including the Chief Justice will increase from 34 to 38 judges.
• The Supreme Court currently faces a backlog of over 92,000 cases.
• The increase aims to facilitate the constitution of more benches to hear cases simultaneously.
• The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 governs judge strength; this amendment will require legislative changes through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026.
• Additional costs for judges, staff, and infrastructure will be charged to the Consolidated Fund of India.
• The last increase in judge strength was in 2019, from 30 to 33 judges excluding the Chief Justice.
• Article 124 of the Constitution provides for the appointment, qualifications, and conditions of service of Supreme Court judges.

Background & Context

The size of the Supreme Court has been periodically increased since the original act in 1956 provided for 10 judges excluding the Chief Justice. Subsequent amendments increased the number to 13 (1960), 17 (1977), 25 (1986), 30 (2008), and 33 (2019). The increase to 37 judges is intended to help reduce the significant backlog of over 92,000 pending cases in the Supreme Court by enabling more benches, including constitution benches, to operate concurrently. The judiciary's efficiency and speedy justice delivery are key goals driving this expansion.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

This development is significant for students and aspirants preparing for competitive examinations focusing on Indian polity, governance, and judiciary. Understanding the constitutional provisions under Article 124, the legislative process for judicial reforms, and the administrative challenges faced by the Supreme Court in handling pendency are essential topics. Questions may focus on the judicial infrastructure, amendment bills, and recent reforms in India's apex court.

Points to Remember

• The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, is the legislation proposing the increase.
• The Chief Justice of India is not included in the increase; however, total strength including the Chief Justice will reach 38.
• The pending cases backlog is a key reason for the judge strength increase.
• The amendment aligns with Article 124 of the Indian Constitution and modifies The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
• The Consolidated Fund of India will bear additional expenditure related to the increased judge strength.
• The increase allows the Supreme Court to constitute more benches, improving access to speedy justice.
• Periodic increases in judge strength reflect evolving judicial needs and workload.