President Issues Ordinance to Raise Supreme Court Judges from 33 to 37 (Sanctioned Strength 38)

<h2>Key Developments</h2> <p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="President of India — The ceremonial head of state of India, exercising powers such as promulgating ordinances under Article 123 (GS2: Polity).">President of India</span> has issued the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ordinance — A law promulgated by the President when Parliament is not in session; it has the same force as an Act but must be approved within six weeks of reassembly (GS2: Polity).">Ordinance</span> titled <strong>Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance 2026</strong> to raise the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from <strong>33 to 37</strong> (excluding the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Chief Justice of India (CJI) — The senior‑most judge of the Supreme Court who heads the judiciary and presides over its administrative functions (GS2: Polity).">CJI</span>), bringing the total to <strong>38</strong> judges.</p> <h3>Key Points</h3> <ul> <li>Ordinance promulgated on <strong>17 May 2026</strong> after the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Union Cabinet — The principal decision‑making body of the Government of India, headed by the Prime Minister; it cleared the proposal to increase judges on 5 May 2026 (GS2: Polity).">Union Cabinet</span> cleared the proposal on <strong>5 May 2026</strong>.</li> <li>Amends <span class="key-term" data-definition="Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance 2026 — The 2026 ordinance amending Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 to increase the sanctioned number of judges from 33 to 37 (excluding the CJI) (GS2: Polity).">Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956</span> by replacing “33” with “37”.</li> <li>Current working strength remains at <strong>32</strong> judges (including the CJI); the increase will address pending vacancies and workload.</li> <li>The last amendment was in <strong>2019</strong>, when the strength rose from 30 to 33 (excluding CJI).</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>Under <span class="key-term" data-definition="Article 124 — Constitutional provision that establishes the Supreme Court, specifying its composition of the CJI and such number of judges as Parliament may prescribe (GS2: Polity).">Article 124</span> of the Constitution, the Supreme Court consists of the CJI and a number of judges as prescribed by law. The sanctioned strength of <strong>38</strong> judges is now the highest since the Court’s establishment.</p> <h3>Relevance for UPSC</h3> <p>This development touches upon several GS topics: constitutional provisions (GS2), the functioning of the judiciary (GS2), and the executive’s legislative powers (GS2). Understanding the ordinance process, the role of the Union Cabinet, and the constitutional basis for judicial expansion is essential for questions on institutional reforms and separation of powers.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>Parliament is expected to ratify the ordinance within the stipulated period, converting it into a permanent amendment. The increase aims to reduce case backlogs, improve judicial efficiency, and align the Court’s capacity with the growing volume of litigation. Aspirants should monitor subsequent parliamentary debates and any related judicial reforms.</p>