Cabinet Clears Bill to Expand Supreme Court Strength to 37 Judges.
New Delhi:
In a significant move aimed at improving judicial efficiency, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved a proposal to increase the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court of India from 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India).
The decision paves the way for the introduction of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament. Once passed, the amendment will revise the existing Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, raising the number of judges by four.
Key Highlights of the Proposal
The proposed legislation seeks to address the growing workload of the apex court by expanding its judicial capacity. The increase from 33 to 37 judges (excluding the Chief Justice of India) is expected to enhance the court’s ability to handle a rising number of cases and reduce pendency.
According to official details, the move is intended to ensure more efficient functioning of the judiciary and facilitate quicker delivery of justice. With mounting litigation and constitutional matters requiring urgent attention, the additional judges are likely to ease the burden on the existing bench strength.
Financial Implications
The expenditure related to the salaries of the additional judges, along with their supporting staff and infrastructure, will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India. The government has indicated that the financial outlay is justified in view of the long-term benefits of a more efficient judicial system.
Constitutional and Legislative Background
The provision for determining the number of Supreme Court judges is rooted in Article 124(1) of the Constitution of India. It establishes that the court shall consist of a Chief Justice of India and such number of other judges as Parliament may by law prescribe.
Initially, under the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, the number of judges (excluding the Chief Justice) was capped at 10. Over the decades, this number has been periodically increased to keep pace with the expanding judicial workload.
In 1960, the strength was raised to 13.
In 1977, it was increased to 17.
In 1986, it went up to 25.
In 2008, the number was revised to 30.
Most recently, in 2019, it was increased to 33.
The latest proposal marks the next step in this gradual expansion.
Addressing Judicial Backlog
Legal experts have long emphasized the need for augmenting judicial capacity in India, where courts face a significant backlog of cases. By increasing the number of judges, the government aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Supreme Court and improve access to timely justice.
If enacted, the amendment is expected to play a crucial role in reducing delays, speeding up hearings, and ensuring more effective adjudication of complex legal matters.
The proposed bill will now be introduced in Parliament, where it is expected to be debated before being enacted into law.
