The Lok Sabha on Monday (August 3, 2026) passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, replacing an ordinance that increased the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The Bill was passed by a voice vote without a debate amid Opposition protests over unrelated issues. It now awaits consideration in the Rajya Sabha.

The Bill amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 to increase the number of puisne (ordinary) judges from 33 to 37. With the CJI included, the court’s sanctioned strength rises from 34 to 38.