Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026

On 5th August 2026, Parliament passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, increasing the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India, to enhance the Court’s judicial capacity.

Key Points

Legislative Approval: The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 3rd August 2026 and subsequently approved by the Rajya Sabha.
Amendment: It amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
Background: The increase in the number of judges was initially brought into effect through an Ordinance promulgated by the President in May 2026.
Purpose: The government stated that the amendment aims to strengthen the Supreme Court’s judicial capacity and facilitate timely delivery of justice.