The Lok Sabha on Sunday passed the Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to increase the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India, to 38.
The move follows an ordinance issued by the Union government a few months ago to raise the number of judges. President Droupadi Murmu had given her assent to the ordinance, and the bill has now been brought in to replace it, as required under constitutional provisions.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha amid loud protests by opposition parties. The legislation was passed without debate.
The report noted that the Supreme Court’s judge strength was last increased in 2019, when the number of judges (excluding the Chief Justice) was raised from 30 to 33.
After the bill was passed, continued disruptions led Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the Lok Sabha for the day. The House is scheduled to meet again at 11 am on Monday.
Separately, the Rajya Sabha passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which amends the MSME Development Act, 2006. The Upper House was also adjourned for the day amid opposition protests.
