Cabinet Approves Bill to Increase Supreme Court Judge Strength from 33 to 37

The Union Cabinet has approved the introduction of the Supreme Court of India (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposing an increase in the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Including the CJI, the total strength of the apex court would rise from 34 to 38 judges. The proposal seeks to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, with the primary objective of reducing judicial backlog and improving the efficiency of the country’s highest court.

The constitutional basis for increasing the strength of the Supreme Court is derived from Article 124(1) of the Constitution of India, which empowers Parliament to determine the number of judges through legislation. Consequently, the increase can only take effect after the Bill is passed by Parliament and receives Presidential assent.

The proposed expansion is expected to strengthen the judiciary by enabling the constitution of more Division Benches and Constitution Benches simultaneously. This would help in faster disposal of cases, especially constitutional, commercial, and public interest matters.

The decision is also expected to benefit citizens directly. Faster adjudication means quicker resolution of disputes, improved access to justice, and reduced legal uncertainty for individuals and businesses. A stronger judiciary can enhance public confidence in the legal system, support economic growth by improving investor trust, and reinforce the rule of law, which remains essential for a democratic society.