The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a proposal to increase the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court of India from 33 to 37 judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
For this purpose, the government will introduce the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament to amend the existing Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act 1956.
Why Has the Government Taken This Decision?
The decision comes at a time when India’s judiciary is facing:
- Increasing pendency of cases
- Growing workload on judges
- Rising number of constitutional, civil, and criminal matters
The government believes that increasing the number of judges will help the Supreme Court function more efficiently and improve the speed of case disposal.
At present, the Supreme Court handles thousands of pending matters every year, making judicial reforms and capacity expansion essential.
Constitutional Provision Related to Supreme Court Judges
Article 124 of the Constitution of India
Article 124(1) : There shall be a Supreme Court of India consisting of a Chief Justice of India and such number of other Judges as Parliament may by law prescribe.
Article 124 of the Constitution of India lays down the constitutional framework for the establishment and composition of the Supreme Court.
The Article states that:
- There shall be a Supreme Court of India
- It shall consist of:
- Chief Justice of India (CJI)
- Such number of other judges as Parliament may prescribe by law
This means Parliament has the authority to increase the number of Supreme Court judges whenever required.
What Does the Amendment Propose?
The proposed amendment seeks to:
- Increase the number of Supreme Court judges by 4
- Raise the sanctioned strength from:
- 33 judges → 37 judges
- This count excludes the Chief Justice of India
Once implemented, the Supreme Court will have:
- 1 Chief Justice of India
- 37 other judges
Financial Implications
The expenditure related to:
- Salaries of additional judges
- Supporting staff
- Infrastructure and facilities
will be met through the:
- Consolidated Fund of India
Historical Evolution of Supreme Court Judge Strength
The strength of the Supreme Court has been increased several times after Independence to meet growing judicial demands.
| Year | Strength of Judges (Excluding CJI) |
|---|---|
| 1956 | 10 |
| 1960 | 13 |
| 1977 | 17 |
| 1986 | 25 |
| 2008 | 30 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2026 (Proposed) | 37 |
Initially, the Constitution provided for:
- Chief Justice + maximum 7 judges
Over the decades, Parliament expanded the court’s strength through amendments.
Importance of the Decision
Faster Disposal of Cases
Additional judges will help:
- Reduce backlog
- Increase the number of benches
- Speed up hearings
Improved Judicial Efficiency
The Supreme Court deals with:
- Constitutional disputes
- Appeals from High Courts
- Public interest litigations
- Centre-State disputes
More judges will improve administrative and judicial efficiency.
About the Supreme Court of India
Supreme Court of India:
- Established on 28 January 1950
- Highest judicial authority in India
- Guardian of the Constitution
- Located in New Delhi
Conclusion
The Cabinet’s decision to increase the strength of Supreme Court judges reflects the government’s effort to strengthen India’s justice delivery system. As legal disputes and constitutional matters continue to rise, expanding the court’s capacity is expected to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and ensure quicker access to justice for citizens.
The proposed amendment also highlights the flexibility provided under the Constitution for Parliament to adapt judicial institutions according to the nation’s evolving needs.