National
President Murmu Approves Expansion of Apex Court Bench
President Droupadi Murmu has approved an ordinance increasing the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court of India from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India.
President Droupadi Murmu has approved an increase in the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court of India through the promulgation of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026.
According to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, the ordinance amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
With the amendment, the number of Supreme Court judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, has been increased from 33 to 37. As a result, the total sanctioned strength of the apex court, including the Chief Justice of India, will rise to 38 judges.
The move is aimed at addressing the growing pendency of cases and improving the efficiency of judicial functioning at the country’s highest court.
Legal experts have often highlighted the need for increasing judicial strength to manage the rising volume of litigation and reduce delays in the disposal of cases.
The ordinance route has been used to bring the amendment into immediate effect pending parliamentary approval.
The Supreme Court currently handles a large number of constitutional, civil, criminal, and public interest matters from across the country, making judicial capacity expansion a significant administrative step for the Indian judiciary.