The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act 1956, as originally enacted, provided for the maximum number of judges (excluding the chief justice of India) to be 10. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday (May 5, 2026) approved an increase in the number of judges of the Supreme Court from 34, which includes the Chief Justice of India, to a total 38.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the top court currently has a sanctioned strength of 33 judges, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). A Bill would be brought in the next session of Parliament to raise this strength by four.
Published – May 05, 2026 08:14 pm IST
