Union Cabinet Approves Increasing Supreme Court Strength to 37 Judges Plus CJI
Why it matters
Under the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, Parliament holds the authority to adjust the size of the top court. The original 1950 framework provided for just eight judges, including the Chief Justice. The latest Cabinet decision to increase the strength to 37 (plus the CJI) marks the first expansion since 2019, when the limit was raised to 34.
The move addresses the mounting pressure of pending litigations and the necessity of forming specialized benches. Specifically, it enables the court to convene more Constitution Benches under Article 145(3), which mandates a five-judge minimum for interpreting constitutional law. The onus now shifts to the Supreme Court Collegium to recommend names for these newly created vacancies.
| Year of Amendment | Total Sanctioned Strength (Incl. CJI) |
|---|---|
| 1950 (Original) | 8 |
| 2019 Amendment | 34 |
| 2024 Approval | 38 |
Glossary
CJI: The Chief Justice of India, the highest-ranking officer of the Indian federal judiciary.
Constitution Bench: A specific bench of five or more judges designated to hear cases involving substantial legal questions regarding the Constitution.
NaukriSync Exam Angle
Polity & Governance. Remember: the total sanctioned strength is now 38 (37 + 1). The governing legislation is the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. Questions often target the specific total number or the year of the last major amendment.