Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Polity and Governance
Why in News?
Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, increasing the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court Judges from 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India).
Key Provisions
- Increase – Judge strength raised from 33 to 37.
- Exclusion – Chief Justice of India not counted in this number.
- Objective – Strengthen judicial capacity, expedite disposal of cases, ensure timely justice.
Article 124 – Deals with Appointment and strength of SC judges.
Background
- Original Act – Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
- Ordinance – President promulgated an ordinance in May 2026 to raise judge strength.
- Reason – Rising pendency of cases; over 92,000 cases pending as of 1 January 2026.
Reference
News on AIR | SC Judge Bill
