Centre Strengthens Apex Court: Number of judges in SC to be increased from 33 to 38

With lakhs of cases pending, the Centre has approved a major expansion of the Supreme Court. Will adding more judges finally speed up justice delivery, or are deeper reforms still needed?

Post Published By: Ayushi Bisht

Updated : 5 May 2026, 8:01 PM IST

Number of judges in SC to be increased (Img: Internet)

New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at addressing mounting judicial delays, the Union Cabinet has approved an increase in the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 33 to 38 judges.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over the rising backlog of cases in the country’s highest court.

Push for Faster Justice Delivery

The government said the expansion is intended to improve efficiency and ensure quicker disposal of cases. With over 90,000 matters reportedly pending before the Supreme Court, the move is being seen as an attempt to strengthen the institution’s capacity and reduce delays in delivering justice.

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court from the present 33 to 38

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The proposal, cleared at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will now require legislative backing. An amendment to the existing law governing the number of judges is expected to be introduced in Parliament.

A Look at Past Expansions

The strength of the Supreme Court bench has been revised multiple times over the decades to keep pace with increasing caseloads. Originally set at a much lower number, the bench size has gradually expanded through legislative changes. The last major revision took place in 2019, when the number of judges was increased from 30 to 33.

Under Article 124 of the Constitution, Parliament has the authority to determine the number of judges in the Supreme Court, apart from the Chief Justice of India.

Will More Judges Solve the Backlog?

While the decision has been welcomed as a necessary step, experts point out that simply increasing the number of judges may not be a complete solution. Structural reforms, improved case management systems, and strengthening lower courts are also seen as crucial to reducing the burden on the apex court.