Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also said India would soon have its first woman CJI NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill by voice vote to replace an ordinance that increased the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 judges to 38. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday without debate.Being a Money Bill, the Upper House cleared the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, and returned it to the Lok Sabha.Replying to the discussion in Rajya Sabha, Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the increase in the number of SC judges would help speed up disposal of cases and give the CJI greater flexibility in constituting constitution benches, which comprise at least five judges.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe minister said the CJI had written to the PM on May 11, pointing to a substantial increase in the number of cases being filed in SC every day, leading to higher pendency, while there was a shortage of judges to hear regular matters.He cited the example of the Sabarimala case, which is being heard by a nine-judge Constitution Bench, leaving fewer judges available to hear other matters, including criminal appeals. “Increase in number of judges in SC is a step towards improving judicial efficiency,” he said.Meghwal also said India would soon have its first woman CJI.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’It’s My Moral Call To Be Here’: Author Nilotpal Mrinal Joins Ranchi Student ProtestMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action’We Feel Cheated’: Jharkhand Student Protesters Voice Anger Over JPSC-JSSC Exam Row’If You Won’t Listen, Then Who Will?’: Jharkhand Student’s Msg To Hemant Soren Over JPSC-JSSC RowIndia Responds After Pakistan Deploys Chinese SH-15 Howitzers Along BorderJharkhand Mob Lynching: Rape Accused Beaten To Death, Police Probe POCSO Case And Mob Violence123PhotostoriesIndia named among the World’s 100 Best Cuisines: Here’s what makes it special5 must-have sneakers every wardrobe needs in 20265 timeless lessons from your grandparents that modern life forgot10 baby names inspired by dawn, sunset, and the skyBrain teaser optical illusion: You are among the top 1% if you stop all 25 animals hidden in the man’s face within 2 minutesWant Korean glass skin? These 5 daily habits make all the differenceThe Barack Obama blueprint: Healthy habits that help the former US President stay energetic and resilient at 658 ordinary moments that leave a lifelong impact on your childMalaika Arora’s 5 morning yoga poses every woman should try for better flexibility and joint healthKriti Sanon’s 3,000-crystal ivory Gaurav Gupta lehenga looks like fashion imagined beyond Earth123Hot PicksRBI MeetingGold Rate TodayStock Market TodayICMAI June 2026 toppers listTamil Nadu Budget SessionTN supplementary resultSpaceXUPI transactionsD Y PatilTop TrendingRBI MPC MeetingVande Matram StanzaUdhayanidhi StalinBritish ReturnsPM ModiTamil Nadu Budget Session 2026Air India FlightD Y Patil DeathTamil Nadu BudgetShradha Singh
NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill by voice vote to replace an ordinance that increased the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 judges to 38. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday without debate.Being a Money Bill, the Upper House cleared the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, and returned it to the Lok Sabha.Replying to the discussion in Rajya Sabha, Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the increase in the number of SC judges would help speed up disposal of cases and give the CJI greater flexibility in constituting constitution benches, which comprise at least five judges.
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The minister said the CJI had written to the PM on May 11, pointing to a substantial increase in the number of cases being filed in SC every day, leading to higher pendency, while there was a shortage of judges to hear regular matters.He cited the example of the Sabarimala case, which is being heard by a nine-judge Constitution Bench, leaving fewer judges available to hear other matters, including criminal appeals. “Increase in number of judges in SC is a step towards improving judicial efficiency,” he said.Meghwal also said India would soon have its first woman CJI.
