Politics
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Parliament clears bill raising Supreme Court to 38 judges
The Hindu··6 Aug
Parliament completed passage of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, raising sanctioned strength from 34 to 38 including the Chief Justice. The Rajya Sabha approved it by voice vote on August 5 after the Lok Sabha cleared it on August 3. The bill replaces a May ordinance and was handled as a Money Bill.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Litigants with pending Supreme Court matters can track whether four added posts translate into more sitting benches.
- Students of constitutional process can note the increase again travelled as a Money Bill returned to the Lok Sabha.
- Anyone watching judicial capacity can separate sanctioned strength from actual filled vacancies and hearing speed.
What's Happening
- The Rajya Sabha on August 5 cleared a bill raising Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice.
- The Lok Sabha had passed the bill on August 3; it replaces a May ordinance and was treated as a Money Bill.
- Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal linked the increase to judicial capacity and pendency reduction.
How The Judge-Strength Increase Reached Both Houses
- An ordinance earlier raised strength to 38; the amendment bill puts that change on statutory footing.
- The same Money Bill route was used in 2019 when sanctioned strength moved to 34.
- Opposition members questioned ordinance timing and raised diversity concerns during Upper House discussion.
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