Rajya Sabha Returns Supreme Court Judges Amendment Bill (2026) – Push to Raise Judges to 38 and Consider South India Bench

The Rajya Sabha on 5 August 2026 sent back the Supreme Court Judges Amendment Bill (2026) to the Lok Sabha after discussion. The move follows a broader debate on judicial capacity, the need for more Constitution Benches, and the possibility of a dedicated South India bench. Key Developments Bill proposes raising the number of puisne judges from 33 to 37, taking the total strength to 38 (including the CJI). Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal highlighted Article 130 for setting up regional benches. Calls for a South India Bench were raised by BRS MP Ravichandra Vaddiraju. Opposition MPs demanded faster constitution of Constitution Benches and raised concerns about case pendency. Discussion also touched on the collegium system and its role in judge selection. Parallel legislation, the Bankers' Books Evidence Act , was passed in Lok Sabha without debate. Important Facts The increase to 38 judges is the first rise since 2019. A nine‑judge bench is currently hearing the Sabarimala case, illustrating the strain on judge availability. Proponents argue that more judges will enable simultaneous hearings, improving the disposal rate. Opposition MPs stressed that merely adding judges will not guarantee speedy justice without systemic reforms. Hyderabad was identified as a suitable location for a South India bench due to its connectivity and central position in the south. UPSC Relevance The debate touches upon several GS topics: the structure and functioning of the judiciary (GS2), constitutional provisions like Article 130 , and the impact of judicial capacity on case backlog – a recurring issue in governance (GS3). Understanding the collegium system and the concept of Constitution Benches helps answer questions on judicial appointments and constitutional interpretation. Way Forward Parliament is likely to revisit the bill in the Lok Sabha after the Rajya Sabha’s observations. If passed, the government must: Ensure timely appointment of the additional judges. Set up a permanent South India bench, subject to CJI’s recommendation and presidential approval under Article 130 . Strengthen the collegium’s transparency to address concerns about judicial independence. Complement the increase in judges with procedural reforms to reduce pendency, such as faster constitution of Constitution Benches. For UPSC aspirants, tracking the progress of this bill offers insight into how legislative changes can reshape the judiciary and improve access to justice across India.