Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Raise Supreme Court Strength to 38
Supreme Court judges’ strength amendment cleared by voice vote amid Opposition protests; several key Bills introduced
- Lok Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote.
- The measure raises the Supreme Court’s sanctioned strength from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.
- Opposition resolutions against the May 16 ordinance were rejected by voice vote.
- Government also introduced Bills concerning banking evidence and the Indian Statistical Institute.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd Aug: The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 by voice vote amid persistent protests by Opposition members, clearing the way for increasing the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.
The legislation, considered one of the government’s key items for the Monsoon Session, was taken up during the third week of proceedings as repeated disruptions continued to affect the functioning of the Lower House.
The House witnessed protests soon after Question Hour began, prompting Speaker Om Birla to adjourn proceedings until noon.
When the House reconvened, Opposition members continued their protests. Amid the commotion, presiding officer Krishna Prasad Tenneti proceeded with Zero Hour and other listed legislative business.
Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya moved a proposal for the election of two Lok Sabha members to the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under the Social Security Code, 2020.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026, aimed at bringing provisions relating to digital evidence in line with contemporary banking practices. She also presented the statement of Additional Demands for Grants for 2022-23.
Sitharaman, on behalf of Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, also introduced the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026, aimed at providing a statutory framework to the institute and strengthening its position globally.
Meanwhile, MPs Sudheer Gupta and Supriya Sule tabled the report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
After the House reconvened at 2 pm, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026.
Opposition MPs Prof. Saugata Roy, N.K. Premachandran and Dean Kuriakose moved a statutory resolution opposing the ordinance promulgated by the President on May 16, 2026. The resolution was rejected by voice vote.
The ordinance had increased the total sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice of India. The Bill seeks to replace the ordinance by amending the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
A discussion on the legislation was proposed, but amid continued sloganeering and protests from Opposition members, the Bill was put to vote and passed by voice vote without a substantive debate.
Following the passage of the Bill, the Lok Sabha was adjourned until 11 am on Tuesday.
