The Lok Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026 on August 4, 2026, raising the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India). Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the Bill, citing over 92,000 cases pending in the Supreme Court as of January 2026. The Bill amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act 1956. India's Supreme Court, established on January 28, 1950, is one of the world's most powerful apex courts with original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction.
Polity
Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Increase Supreme Court Judges from 34 to 37 — 92,000 Pending Cases Drive Reform
Key Points
- The Lok Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026 on August 4, 2026, raising the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India)
- Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the Bill, citing over 92,000 cases pending in the Supreme Court as of January 2026
- The Bill amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act 1956
- India's Supreme Court, established on January 28, 1950, is one of the world's most powerful apex courts with original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction
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• Lok Sabha: Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026 passed (August 4, 2026) • Raises SC judges from 34 to 37 (excluding CJI); amends Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act 1956 • Context: 92,000+ cases pending in SC (January 2026); improves judicial capacity • Law Minister: Arjun Ram Meghwal; Supreme Court est. January 28, 1950; current CJI: Sanjiv Khanna
