Union Cabinet Approves Increase in Supreme Court Judges to 38

The Union Cabinet has officially approved a significant bill aimed at increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India, raising the total from 34 to 38, which includes the Chief Justice. This decision, taken on Tuesday, is seen as a crucial step towards enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the judiciary, particularly in light of the increasing backlog of cases that the apex court faces.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the necessity of this move, pointing out that there are currently nearly 92,000 pending cases awaiting resolution in the Supreme Court. He noted that since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance government assumed power in 2014, the number of judges has surged by almost 50%. This increase reflects the government’s commitment to improving the judicial process and ensuring timely justice for citizens.

The bill, recognized as the 2026 Supreme Court Number of Judges Amendment Bill, seeks to amend the longstanding 1956 law that governs the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court. The move comes ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which is expected to commence in June or July. If approved, this amendment will not only change the numerical strength of the Supreme Court but also signal a proactive approach to managing case backlogs.

Historically, the sanctioned number of judges in the Supreme Court has seen several adjustments. The strength was raised from 26 to 31 in 2009, although it took a decade for those additional posts to be fully occupied. The last increase, which took place in 2019, saw the count rise to 34. In this context, the proposed increase to 38 represents a significant development aimed at effectively addressing the judicial workload.

According to Article 124(1) of the Indian Constitution, it is the responsibility of Parliament to determine the number of judges in the Supreme Court. With the Cabinet’s approval, the bill now awaits parliamentary discussion and approval to amend the existing Act of 1956. Should the legislative process proceed smoothly, it is anticipated that the additional judges will help alleviate the existing burden on the judiciary, thereby enhancing the overall delivery of justice in India.

Source: scroll.in