Approval Granted for Increase in Number of Judges in Supreme Court

• On May 5, 2026, the Central Government (Government of India) approved a proposal to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court.

• According to this decision, the number of judges—excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI)—will be increased from 33 to 37.

• Consequently, including the Chief Justice, the total strength of the Supreme Court will now rise from 34 to 38.

• The objective of this move is to expedite the disposal of pending cases in the court and to render the judicial process more efficient and effective.

• Given the growing population and the rising volume of cases, the pressure on the judiciary had been steadily mounting; this decision was taken to alleviate that pressure.

• The number of judges in the Supreme Court is determined under *The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956*.

• To implement this new increase, *The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026* will be introduced in Parliament.

• Furthermore, Article 124 explicitly outlines the provisions regarding the establishment, composition, and appointment of judges of the Supreme Court.

• In essence, this decision is regarded as a significant step towards making the justice system more robust, expeditious, and effective.