New Delhi, India — May 17, 2026
President Droupadi Murmu has approved a major judicial reform measure by signing the ‘Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026,’ increasing the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court of India.
With the new ordinance coming into effect, the number of Supreme Court judges has been increased from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. Including the Chief Justice, the total sanctioned strength of the apex court will now rise to 38 judges.
The move is aimed at reducing the growing burden of pending cases and improving the efficiency of India’s judicial system. The government believes that expanding the bench strength will help accelerate hearings and ensure faster delivery of justice to citizens.
Government Says Move Will Help Reduce Pendency
The decision comes amid mounting concerns over the large number of pending cases before the Supreme Court. By increasing the number of judges, authorities expect quicker disposal of long-pending matters and smoother judicial functioning.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal shared details of the ordinance on social media platform X, confirming that the President had approved amendments to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
The ordinance follows the Union Cabinet’s recent approval of a proposal to create four additional judge positions in the Supreme Court.
Cabinet Cleared Proposal Earlier This Month
Earlier on May 5, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal to introduce the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, in Parliament.
According to the government, the growing workload in the apex court and the increasing volume of pending litigation made the expansion necessary. Officials stated that additional judges would strengthen the court’s capacity and significantly reduce delays in hearings.
Previous Expansion Took Place in 2019
The original law governing the number of Supreme Court judges was enacted in 1956. Since then, the sanctioned strength has been revised multiple times to meet the judiciary’s evolving needs.
The last major increase came in 2019, when the number of judges was raised from 30 to 33. The latest expansion is being viewed as another significant step toward strengthening India’s judicial infrastructure and improving timely access to justice for the public.
