Parliament on Wednesday passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, paving the way for an increase in the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India.
The legislation received Parliament’s approval after the Rajya Sabha returned the Bill to the Lok Sabha following a discussion. The Lok Sabha had passed the Bill on Monday. The amendment revises the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to enhance the apex court’s judicial capacity.
The move follows an ordinance promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu in May this year, which had increased the number of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37.
Replying to the debate in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Narendra Modi government was committed to the principles of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas”. He described the legislation as part of the government’s broader judicial reform agenda, aimed at improving the efficiency of the Supreme Court.
Meghwal said the strength of judges in the apex court is revised periodically in accordance with the judiciary’s requirements and clarified that the increase was intended to strengthen the court’s ability to deliver timely justice.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha also passed the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026. The Bill, moved by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeks to modernise the legal framework governing evidence related to bankers’ books by aligning it with contemporary digital banking practices.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed concern over the repeated disruptions in the House by Opposition members, saying the continued protests were affecting the functioning of Parliament.
