Union Cabinet Approves Supreme Court Number of Judges Amendment Bill, 2026 on May 5 to Raise Sanctioned Judge Strength from 33 to 37 Excluding the Chief Justice of India
The Union Cabinet approved the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 on May 5, 2026. It proposes to increase the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. The release links the change to speedier justice, efficiency and Parliament's power under Article 124(1) to prescribe a larger strength by law.
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Key Points for RAS
- The Union Cabinet approved introducing the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament.
- The Bill seeks to raise Supreme Court judge strength from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India.
- The stated impact is more efficient and effective functioning of the Supreme Court and speedier justice.
- Salary and related expenditure will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India.
- Article 124(1) allows Parliament to prescribe a larger number of Supreme Court judges by law.
- Previous increases took place through amendments in 1960, 1977, 1986, 2008 and 2019.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved, on May 5, 2026, the proposal to introduce the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament. The Bill will amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 and raise the sanctioned number of Supreme Court judges from the present 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. The Cabinet described the major impact as improved efficiency and effectiveness of the Supreme Court, with the objective of ensuring speedy justice. Expenditure on salaries of judges, supporting staff and other facilities will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India. The release also placed the proposal in constitutional and legislative context. Article 124(1) of the Constitution provides for a Supreme Court consisting of the Chief Justice of India and, until Parliament prescribes a larger number by law, not more than seven other judges. Parliament enacted the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, whose Section 2 fixed the maximum number of judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, at 10. The strength was raised to 13 by the 1960 amendment and to 17 by the 1977 amendment, though the working strength was kept at 15 until the end of 1979 before that restriction was withdrawn at the request of the Chief Justice of India. Later amendments increased the sanctioned strength from 17 to 25 in 1986 and from 25 to 30 in 2008. The last increase came through the 2019 amendment, which raised the strength from 30 to 33 excluding the Chief Justice of India. The 2026 proposal therefore continues Parliament's role in periodically adjusting the Court's capacity to meet institutional workload and access-to-justice needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 What did the Union Cabinet approve on May 5, 2026?
It approved introducing the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament.
2 What change does the Bill propose?
It proposes to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India.
3 What is the stated impact of increasing judge strength?
The release says it will help the Supreme Court function more efficiently and effectively and ensure speedy justice.
4 From where will expenditure be met?
Expenditure on judges' salaries, supporting staff and facilities will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India.
5 Which constitutional provision forms the background?
Article 124(1), which allows Parliament to prescribe a larger number of Supreme Court judges by law, forms the background.
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