Union Cabinet approves proposal to increase Supreme Court judge strength from 33 to 37 through a new amendment bill, aiming to reduce pendency, improve efficiency, and ensure faster delivery of justice in India.
In a significant step toward judicial reform, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a proposal to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India from the existing 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, which seeks to amend the existing law governing the strength of the apex court.
The primary objective of increasing the judge strength is to enable the Supreme Court to function more efficiently and address the growing backlog of cases. With rising litigation across the country, the apex court has been under increasing pressure to dispose of cases in a timely manner.
“The increase in the number of Judges will allow Supreme Court to function more efficiently and effectively ensuring speedy justice,” the government stated.
By adding four more judges, the government expects to strengthen the court’s capacity to handle a larger volume of cases, thereby improving access to justice for citizens.
The move is also seen as a response to long-standing concerns about judicial delays, which have been a critical issue affecting India’s legal system.
?? Key Highlights
· Judge strength to increase from 33 to 37 (excluding Chief Justice)
· Amendment Bill, 2026 to be introduced in Parliament
· Aims to reduce case backlog and improve efficiency
· Supports faster delivery of justice
· Additional expenditure to be borne by Consolidated Fund of India
Financial and Administrative Implications
The increase in judge strength will involve additional expenditure, including salaries, allowances, and infrastructure for judges and supporting staff. The government has clarified that these costs will be met through the Consolidated Fund of India.
Despite the financial implications, the move is widely viewed as necessary to strengthen judicial infrastructure and uphold the rule of law.
Constitutional and Legislative Background
The strength of the Supreme Court is governed by Article 124(1) of the Constitution, which provides that the court shall consist of a Chief Justice and such number of other judges as Parliament may determine by law.
The The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 originally set the number of judges (excluding the Chief Justice) at 10. Over time, this number has been revised multiple times to meet the growing demands of the judiciary.
Key milestones in this evolution include:
· 1960: Increased to 13 judges
· 1977: Increased to 17 judges
· 1986: Increased to 25 judges
· 2008: Increased to 30 judges
· 2019: Increased to 33 judges
The current amendment seeks to further raise this number to 37, marking another step in the gradual expansion of the apex court.
“Expanding the judge strength is essential to ensure timely justice and improve the overall efficiency of the judicial system.”
The Cabinet’s approval reflects a broader effort to modernise India’s judicial system and make it more responsive to the needs of citizens. Increasing the number of judges is a crucial structural reform aimed at addressing systemic delays and improving case disposal rates.
As the Amendment Bill moves to Parliament, its passage is expected to significantly strengthen the functioning of the Supreme Court and reinforce public confidence in the justice delivery system.
With this decision, the government has signalled its commitment to ensuring that justice is not only delivered but delivered in a timely and effective manner.
