New Delhi Aug 5 (UNI) Parliament on Wednesday approved the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, after the Rajya Sabha passed the legislation, paving the way for an increase in the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. The government said the measure is aimed at addressing mounting case pendency and improving the efficiency of the country's highest court.
The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha after a brief discussion following a boycott by Opposition members. Having already been cleared by the Lok Sabha, the legislation has now completed the parliamentary process and will be sent to the President for assent.
Moving the Bill for consideration and passage in the Upper House, union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said, "I move that the Bill further to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, as passed by the Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration and returned."