Lok Sabha Approves Bill to Increase Supreme Court Judges from 34 to 38 Amidst Opposition Protests

Legislative Action in Lok Sabha

New Delhi, August 3 - The Lok Sabha has passed a bill to increase the sanctioned number of judges in the Supreme Court from 34 to 38, despite significant disruptions from opposition members. The session resumed at 2 PM after two adjournments, where Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 for discussion and approval. During this time, members from opposition parties, including the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, raised slogans regarding issues such as the alleged theft of donations for the Ram Temple and police actions against students in Delhi.

Chairman Krishna Prasad Tenneti urged the protesting members to return to their seats and participate in the discussion on the bill, but the uproar continued. Ultimately, the bill was passed by voice vote without any discussion amidst the noise from opposition members. Prior to this, the House rejected a resolution by Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Roy to disapprove the ordinance that had been enacted by the President in May regarding this matter.

The House also dismissed several amendments proposed by some opposition members concerning the bill. Presenting the bill for discussion and approval, Meghwal stated that this legislation is part of a series of judicial reforms aimed at increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court. He had introduced this bill in the House on July 20, the first day of the monsoon session.

Earlier in May, the Union Cabinet had approved the bill related to increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court, following which the government issued an ordinance. Based on the increased sanctioned number from the ordinance, five judges were appointed to the Supreme Court.

The number of judges in the Supreme Court was last increased in 2019, when it was raised from 30 to 33, excluding the Chief Justice. Meghwal emphasized that there has been a recognized need to increase the number of judges in the apex court since independent India, with the total number of judges, including the Chief Justice, set at 11 through a bill passed in August 1956.

He noted that in light of this original intent and to reduce the backlog of cases, the number of judges has now been increased from 34 to 38.