Cabinet approves Bill to raise Supreme Court judge strength from 33 to 37
On 5 May 2026 the Union Cabinet approved introducing the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament to raise the number of Supreme Court judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, from 33 to 37.
Summary
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which would raise the number of Supreme Court judges by four, from 33 to 37 excluding the Chief Justice of India, was approved for introduction in Parliament by the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi on 5 May 2026. The Bill amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, and the cost of salaries and staff will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India. Article 124(1) of the Constitution originally provided for a Chief Justice and not more than seven other judges until Parliament prescribed a larger number. The 1956 Act set the number at 10; amendments raised it to 13 (1960), 17 (1977), 25 (1986), 30 (2008) and 33 (2019).
Key facts
- Decision
- Cabinet, 5 May 2026 — introduce SC (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Change
- 33 → 37 judges, excluding the CJI
- Parent Act
- Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956
- Article 124(1)
- Originally CJI + not more than 7 other judges
- History
- 10 (1956) → 13 (1960) → 17 (1977) → 25 (1986) → 30 (2008) → 33 (2019)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Under the Bill approved by the Cabinet in May 2026, the number of Supreme Court judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, will rise to:
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Correct answer: B — 37
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 raises the strength by four, from 33 to 37, excluding the CJI.
The Bill approved in May 2026 to raise the Supreme Court's judge strength amends which law?
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Correct answer: D — The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956; Parliament fixes the number by law under Article 124(1).
Consider the following statements: 1. Article 124(1) of the Constitution originally provided for a Chief Justice of India and not more than seven other judges, until Parliament by law prescribed a larger number. 2. Before the 2026 proposal, the Supreme Court's judge strength was last raised from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) by an amendment in 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Article 124(1) originally fixed the CJI plus up to seven judges; the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2019 raised the strength from 30 to 33.