New Delhi, May 5: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a proposal to present the Supreme Court (Judges’ Number) Amendment Bill, 2026, in Parliament. This bill aims to amend the Supreme Court (Judges’ Number) Act of 1956, increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court (excluding the Chief Justice of India) from the current 33 to 37.
The Supreme Court (Judges’ Number) Amendment Bill, 2026, includes a provision to raise the number of judges by four, bringing the total from 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India).
This increase in judges is expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Supreme Court, ensuring quicker justice delivery.
The expenses related to the salaries and benefits of the judges and supporting staff will be covered by India’s consolidated fund.
Article 124(1) of the Indian Constitution stipulates that there shall be a Supreme Court in India, consisting of a Chief Justice and, until Parliament prescribes a higher number by law, no more than seven other judges.
To increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court, an act was passed in 1956 under the Supreme Court Act, 1956. Section 2 of this act set the maximum number of judges (excluding the Chief Justice of India) at 10.
The number of judges in the Supreme Court was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Judges’ Number) Amendment Act, 1960, and further to 17 by the Supreme Court (Judges’ Number) Amendment Act, 1977. However, the Cabinet had limited the number of judges (excluding the Chief Justice of India) to 15 until the end of 1979, when this cap was lifted at the request of the Chief Justice of India.
The Supreme Court (Judges’ Number) Amendment Act, 1986 raised the number of judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, from 17 to 25. Subsequently, the Supreme Court (Judges’ Number) Amendment Act, 2008 increased the number from 25 to 30.
The number of judges in the Supreme Court was last amended through the Supreme Court (Judges’ Number) Amendment Act, 2019, raising it from 30 to 33 (excluding the Chief Justice of India).
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