Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The government has promulgated the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, to increase the number of Supreme Court judges. This ordinance amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
Background
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 originally fixed the strength of Supreme Court judges. Over the years, the strength has been increased through amendments to address the growing caseload. The last increase was in 2019, raising the strength to 34 judges (including the Chief Justice of India).
Key facts
The ordinance amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
It increases the number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 36 (including the Chief Justice of India).
The ordinance was promulgated by the President under Article 123 of the Constitution.
It must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of reassembly to become a permanent law.
The increase aims to reduce pendency of cases in the Supreme Court.
The ordinance is titled 'The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026'.
The Ministry of Law and Justice is the administering ministry.
Prelims pointers
- Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956
- Article 123: Ordinance-making power of the President
- Current strength of Supreme Court: 34 judges (including CJI)
- Proposed strength: 36 judges (including CJI)
- Ordinance must be laid before Parliament within six weeks of reassembly
Mains angles
- Discuss the need for increasing the number of Supreme Court judges in light of judicial backlog and pendency.
- Critically examine the use of ordinance-making power for amending the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act.
- Analyze the impact of increasing judges on the efficiency and independence of the judiciary.