President Droupadi Murmu has approved the increase in the judge strength of the Supreme Court of India from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India, taking the total sanctioned strength to 38 judges including the CJI. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had earlier approved the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026 to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, increasing the number of judges by four. The decision was taken in view of the increasing workload of the apex court and the rising number of pending cases, and the expansion is expected to improve efficiency in the disposal of matters and reduce delays in hearings. The expenditure on the salary of judges, supporting staff and other facilities will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India. The judge strength of the Supreme Court was last increased in 2019, when Parliament raised the number from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2019. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, originally fixed the strength at 10 judges besides the CJI, and it has been amended progressively in 1960, 1977, 1986, 2009 and 2019 to keep pace with the growing volume of litigation. Article 124 of the Constitution provides for the establishment of the Supreme Court and empowers Parliament to prescribe the number of judges by law.
President Droupadi Murmu Approves Increase in Supreme Court Judge Strength from 33 to 37 as the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026 Raises Total Sanctioned Strength to 38 Including the Chief Justice of India
President Murmu approved increasing the Supreme Court judge strength from 33 to 37 (excluding the CJI), raising total sanctioned strength to 38; the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026 amends the 1956 Act to address rising pendency, the first such increase since 2019.
Key facts
- President Droupadi Murmu approved increasing Supreme Court judge strength from 33 to 37 (excluding the CJI)
- Total sanctioned strength rises to 38 judges including the Chief Justice of India
- The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026 amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956
- The decision addresses the increasing workload and rising pendency of cases in the apex court
- Expenditure on judges' salaries and facilities will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India
- The strength was last increased in 2019 from 30 to 33; Article 124 empowers Parliament to fix the number of judges
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Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026: 1. It increases the number of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. 2. The number of judges of the Supreme Court is prescribed by Parliament through law under the framework of Article 124 of the Constitution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Both statements are correct. The Bill increases Supreme Court judge strength from 33 to 37 (excluding the CJI), taking total sanctioned strength to 38. Article 124 establishes the Supreme Court and empowers Parliament to prescribe the number of judges by law, which is done through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 and its amendments.
Source: Press Information Bureau
Frequently asked questions
What change in Supreme Court judge strength did President Murmu approve?
President Droupadi Murmu approved increasing the Supreme Court judge strength from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India, taking the total sanctioned strength to 38 including the CJI.
Which law is being amended and by which Bill?
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 is being amended through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026.
Why was the increase in judge strength approved?
The increase was approved in view of the increasing workload of the apex court and the rising number of pending cases, to improve efficiency in disposal of matters and reduce delays.
When was the Supreme Court judge strength last increased?
It was last increased in 2019, when Parliament raised the number from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2019.
Which constitutional provision deals with the Supreme Court and its judge strength?
Article 124 of the Constitution provides for the establishment of the Supreme Court and empowers Parliament to prescribe the number of judges by law.
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