Supreme Court Expansion: Centre Clears Proposal To Increase Judges To 38 - How Will It Help?

In a major step aimed at improving the justice delivery system, the Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India. The decision will raise the court's strength from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.

The move comes as part of the government's effort to deal with rising case loads and ensure faster disposal of cases.

What the New Bill Proposes

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared the introduction of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament.

Currently, the Supreme Court has 34 sanctioned judges, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The proposed amendment will:

• Increase the number of judges by four
• Raise the total strength to 38 judges (including the CJI)

The government said the change is necessary to help the court function more efficiently.

Why the Increase Is Important

India's top court handles a very large number of cases every year. Over time, the workload has increased significantly, leading to delays in hearings and judgments.

By increasing the number of judges, the government aims to:

• Reduce the backlog of pending cases
• Speed up the delivery of justice
• Improve overall efficiency of the court

This move is expected to benefit both litigants and the legal system.

Constitutional Provision

The structure of the Supreme Court is defined under Article 124(1) of the Constitution of India.

It states that the court will consist of a Chief Justice and other judges, with the exact number to be decided by Parliament through law.

This gives the government the flexibility to increase the number of judges when needed.

How the Court's Strength Has Grown Over Time

The Supreme Court has seen a steady increase in the number of judges since its establishment:

• 1950: Started with 8 judges (including the CJI)
• 1956: Increased to 11 judges
• 1960: Raised to 14 judges
• 1977: Increased to 18 judges
• 1986: Expanded to 26 judges
• 2009: Raised to 31 judges
• 2019: Increased to 34 judges
• 2026 (proposed): To be increased to 38 judges

This gradual expansion reflects the growing demands on the judicial system.

What Happens Next

The proposed amendment bill will now be introduced in Parliament. Once passed, the new law will officially increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court.

After that, appointments will be made as per the existing judicial appointment process.
The decision to increase the number of Supreme Court judges marks an important step towards strengthening India's judiciary. As the number of cases continues to rise, such reforms are crucial to ensure timely justice.

If implemented effectively, the move could significantly improve the efficiency and functioning of the country's highest court.