Supreme Court Judge Strength Increased to Speed Up Justice Delivery

New Delhi, May 17, 2026 In a significant move aimed at strengthening India’s judicial system, President Droupadi Murmu has approved an increase in the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. The decision reflects the government’s focus on reducing the growing burden of pending cases and improving the overall pace of justice delivery in the country. The approval came through the promulgation of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice. With this amendment, the total strength of the apex court, including the Chief Justice of India, will now rise to 38 judges. The move is expected to help the court manage its expanding workload more efficiently and ensure quicker hearings in important cases. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that the amendment revises the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. The proposal had earlier received approval from the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The increase in judicial strength is being seen as an important administrative reform to support the functioning of the country’s highest court. The Supreme Court’s sanctioned strength has been revised multiple times since Independence, with the last expansion taking place in 2019 when the number of judges was increased from 30 to 33. The latest decision marks another step toward improving judicial efficiency and ensuring faster access to justice for citizens across India.