In an important decision, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 (including the Chief Justice of India).The decision was taken in a meeting of the Union Cabinet and the government has now decided to introduce ‘The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026’ in Parliament to amend ‘The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956’ for increasing the number of Judges of the Supreme Court of India by four from the present 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India), an official release said.The increase in the number of judges will allow the Supreme Court to function more efficiently and effectively, ensuring speedy justice, it added.In 2019, the number of judges in the Supreme Court was increased from 31 to 33 (excluding the CJI).According to Article 124 (1) in the Constitution, “There shall be a Supreme Court of India consisting of a Chief Justice of India and, until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number, of not more than seven other Judges…”.At its inception in 1950, the Supreme Court had only eight judges, including the CJI. The number of judges in the Supreme Court was first increased in 1956 to 11, including the CJI and then to 14 in 1960 and 18 in 1977.The Supreme Court’s judge-strength was increased from 18 to 26 in 1986 and further to 31 in 2009. It was increased to its present strength of 34 (including the CJI) in 2019.As of March 31, 2026, the total pendency in the Supreme Court touched a record high of 93,143 cases.