Cabinet clears Bill to raise Supreme Court strength from 33 to 37 judges
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UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
On 5 May 2026 the Union Cabinet approved introducing the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament. It amends the 1956 Act to raise the number of Supreme Court judges by four, from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. Salaries will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India.
- Decision
- Cabinet approval to introduce the Bill, 5 May 2026
- Bill
- Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Change
- 33 to 37 judges (excluding the CJI)
- Parent Act
- Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956
- Constitution
- Art 124(1): Parliament may by law prescribe a larger number
- Expenditure
- Consolidated Fund of India
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026: what happened?
The Constitution started the Supreme Court with a Chief Justice and seven other judges, and let Parliament raise that by law. Parliament has done so several times. With heavy case loads, the Cabinet now wants four more judges.
- The Cabinet says more judges will let the Court work faster and ensure speedy justice.
- The Bill still has to be passed by Parliament.
How has the Supreme Court’s strength grown?
| Law | Strength |
|---|---|
| Constitution, Art 124(1) (original) | 7 |
| SC (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 | 10 |
| Amendment Act, 1960 | 13 |
| Amendment Act, 1977 | 17 |
| Amendment Act, 1986 | 25 |
| Amendment Act, 2008 | 30 |
| Amendment Act, 2019 | 33 |
| Amendment Bill, 2026 (proposed) | 37 |
Which Article lets Parliament change the number of SC judges?
- Article 124(1): There shall be a Supreme Court of India consisting of a Chief Justice of India and, until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number, of not more than seven other Judges.
- So the number is set by an ordinary law of Parliament, not by a constitutional amendment.
Why does the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Polity | Parliament’s power under Art 124(1). |
| Justice delivery | More benches for pending cases. |
| Fiscal | Charged to the Consolidated Fund of India. |
| Exam | Classic Prelims fact: who can raise SC strength. |
What are the challenges in the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026?
- More posts help only if vacancies are filled on time.
- Case pendency also depends on adjournments and listing practice.
- Lower courts need capacity too.
What should be done next on the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026?
- Pass the Bill and fill the new posts quickly.
- Pair added strength with case management reforms.
What can Prelims ask on the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026?
- SC strength: 33 now, 37 proposed (excluding CJI).
- Parliament can raise the number by law under Article 124(1).
- Earlier increases: 1956 (10), 1960 (13), 1977 (17), 1986 (25), 2008 (30), 2019 (33).
How to write about the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Mains
Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): Will increasing the number of Supreme Court judges reduce pendency? Discuss in light of the 2026 Bill.
- Intro: Bill 33 to 37.
- Art 124(1) and history.
- Benefits: more benches.
- Limits: vacancies, process.
- Way forward.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-05-05): cabinet approved introducing the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 to raise the number of SC judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice.
- More judges are the most direct answer to pendency.
Quotable data pointCabinet approved introducing the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 to raise the number of SC judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice.
PIB: Cabinet: SC judge strength, 5 May 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: who increases SC strength (Parliament).
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in
Answer (b) & explanation
Article 124(1); Cabinet release, 5 May 2026.
The Constitution originally provided for how many judges besides the CJI?
Answer (b) & explanation
Article 124(1), Constitution of India.
Questions students ask about this
Who can increase the number of Supreme Court judges?
Parliament, by law, under Article 124(1).
What is the proposed new strength?
37 judges plus the Chief Justice of India, up from 33.
When was the strength last increased?
By the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2019, from 30 to 33.
Has the 2026 Bill been passed?
On 5 May 2026 only the Cabinet's approval for introducing it was announced.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Cabinet: SC judge strength, 5 May 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending