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Cabinet approves four more Supreme Court judges, boosting sanctioned strength to 37
The Union cabinet approved increasing the Supreme Court’s sanctioned strength from 33 to 37 judges (excluding the Chief Justice of India) on May 5, 2026, paving the way for the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026. The move follows a February request by CJI Surya Kant and aims to address a large backlog of cases, with several retirements expected in 2026.
Why It Matters
Expanding the court's judicial capacity could speed up justice, enable regular Constitution benches for major questions of law, and create a larger pool for upcoming appointments during a period of multiple retirements.
Timeline
15 Events
February 2027: CJI Surya Kant set to retire
February 2027
CJI Surya Kant is set to retire in February 2027, during the period when the expanded court strength will be in effect.
November 29, 2026: Justice Satish Chandra Sharma due to retire
November 29, 2026
Justice Satish Chandra Sharma is due to retire on November 29, 2026.
August 28, 2026: Justice Sanjay Karol due to retire
August 28, 2026
Justice Sanjay Karol is due to retire on August 28, 2026.
June 28, 2026: Justice JK Maheshwari due to retire
June 28, 2026
Justice JK Maheshwari is due to retire on June 28, 2026.
June 6, 2026: Justice Pankaj Mithal due to retire
June 6, 2026
Justice Pankaj Mithal is due to retire on June 6, 2026.
May 5, 2026: Cabinet approves increase to 37 judges
May 5, 2026
The Union cabinet approved increasing the Supreme Court's sanctioned strength from 33 to 37 judges (excluding the CJI). The decision, taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paves the way for the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament. The government cited the need for speedier justice amid a backlog of more than 92,000 pending cases and noted that larger benches may be required in coming months.
February 2026: CJI Surya Kant seeks four additional judges
February 2026
CJI Surya Kant wrote to the Centre in February 2026 seeking an immediate increase of four judges, proposing an immediate addition followed by evaluation of impact.
2019: Strength increased to 33
2019
The most recent revision prior to the present proposal came in 2019, raising the strength from 30 to 33 judges (excluding the CJI).
2008: Strength increased to 30
2008
The sanctioned strength was increased to 30 judges in 2008.
1986: Strength increased to 25
1986
The sanctioned strength was increased to 25 judges in 1986.
1979: Cabinet restriction lifted; working strength no longer capped at 15
1979
Effective working strength remained capped at 15 judges for a period until 1979, when the cabinet restriction was lifted following a request from the then CJI.
1977: Strength rises to 17 judges
1977
The sanctioned strength was increased to 17 judges in 1977.
1960: Strength rises to 13 judges
1960
The sanctioned strength was increased to 13 judges in 1960.
1956: Supreme Court Act defines 10-judge panel (excluding CJI)
1956
Under the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, the court was set with a sanctioned strength of 10 judges excluding the Chief Justice of India.
January 28, 1950: Supreme Court begins with eight judges
January 28, 1950
The Supreme Court officially began on January 28, 1950, with a sanctioned strength of eight judges — one Chief Justice of India and seven puisne judges. This structure was set by the 1950 Constitution, and in its early years, all eight judges sat together to hear cases.