Why govt introduces Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026?

• The Lok Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 on August 3.

What is the purpose of this Bill?

• The volume of litigation of cases in the Supreme Court of India has constantly been on the rise due to persistent gaps between institution and final disposal of cases in the court. 

• As on January 1, 2026, there were 92,101 cases pending in the Supreme Court. 

• Even while working at near-full sanctioned capacity of 34 judges since 2019, the Supreme Court recorded institution of 75,410 fresh matters in 2025 against a disposal of 65,615 cases. 

• There has been a persistent gap between institution and final disposal of cases which highlights the ongoing challenge of managing the docket, particularly in relation to older pending cases and those necessitating the attention and adjudication by larger benches.

• The increase in judge-strength of the court is one of the most exigent and viable solutions for tackling the pending backlog of cases in the Supreme Court. 

• It will also make it possible for the Chief Justice of India to constitute Constitutional Benches for required period of days on a regular basis to hear cases involving substantial question of law.

• In May, President Droupadi Murmu promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.

• The Ministry of Law and Justice notified the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance 2026.

• It amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court.

• The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks to replace the ordinance.

• The increase in the number of judges will allow the Supreme Court to function more efficiently and effectively ensuring speedy justice.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)