Ordinance Increasing Supreme Court Judges Strength Context: President has promulgated an ordinance increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India. The number of judges has been increased from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 When the 'Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act' was enacted in 1956, the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court of India was fixed as follows: 10 judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India. Increase in strength through the 1960 Amendment Act: From 10 to 13 judges (excluding the Chief Justice). Subsequently expanded to 17 judges. 1986 Amendment Act – Increase to 25 Judges In 1986, another Amendment Act significantly expanded the number of judges in the Court The number of judges was increased from 17 to 25. 2009 Amendment Act – Increase to 30 Judges In 2009, Parliament once again amended the Act to address the increasing workload of the judiciary. 2019 Amendment Act – Current Strength of the Supreme Court The total number of judges, including the Chief Justice of India, was fixed at 34. Total Judicial Strength With this amendment: Total sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court rises from 34 to 38 judges, including the CJI. Constitutional Provision The ordinance was issued under: Article 123 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session. The ordinance is titled: The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026. Parliamentary Approval The ordinance will be placed before both Houses of Parliament after reassembly. It will cease to operate: If Parliament does not approve it within six weeks of reassembly, or If both Houses pass resolutions disapproving it. The President also has the power to withdraw the ordinance. Reason for Increasing Judges The move…
