The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from the current 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice of India. The decision aims to address the growing pendency of cases in the apex court and enhance judicial efficiency.
Key Details of the Proposal
The increase in the strength of Supreme Court judges will be effectuated through an amendment to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. The proposal was cleared by the Cabinet in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Once implemented, the total sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court will rise to 38, including the Chief Justice.
Reasons Behind the Move
The government cited the mounting backlog of cases as the primary reason for the increase. As of March 2026, over 70,000 cases were pending in the Supreme Court. The additional judges are expected to expedite the disposal of cases, particularly those involving constitutional matters and public interest litigations.
The Law Ministry had earlier recommended the increase after consultations with the Chief Justice of India and other stakeholders. The proposal also aligns with the recommendations of various parliamentary committees that have called for strengthening the judiciary.
Reactions and Implications
Legal experts have welcomed the decision, stating that it will help reduce the burden on existing judges and improve the quality of judgments. However, some have raised concerns about the need for adequate infrastructure and support staff to facilitate the new appointments.
The increase in judges is also expected to streamline the process of constitution of benches and reduce the time taken for hearings. The government has assured that the necessary budgetary allocations will be made to accommodate the expansion.
Previous Increases
The strength of the Supreme Court has been increased periodically. In 2019, the number was raised from 31 to 34. The current proposal marks the first increase under the Modi government's third term. The amendment bill is likely to be introduced in the upcoming session of Parliament for approval.
The move is part of broader judicial reforms aimed at ensuring timely justice for citizens. The government has also been working on filling vacancies in high courts and lower judiciary to address pendency at all levels.
