For quicker delivery of justice, the government has taken a decision to enhance the strength of judges in the Supreme Court. Four additional judges will be appointed to the Supreme Court. This move was approved by the Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on Tuesday.

The inclusion of these four judges will increase the total number of judges in the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice, from 34 to 38. According to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, the Union Cabinet has approved the bill to increase the strength of judges in the Supreme Court by four.

Its objective is to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court (excluding the Chief Justice of India) from the current 33 to 37. This means that, including the Chief Justice, the total number of judges in the Supreme Court will increase to 38, up from the current 34.

The increased number of judges will enable the Supreme Court to function more effectively and ensure speedy justice for citizens. Expenditure on the salaries and other benefits of judges and supporting staff will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India.

Article 124(1) of the Constitution provides, among other things, that there shall be a Supreme Court of India consisting of a Chief Justice and, until Parliament by law provides for a higher number, not more than seven other judges, i.e., eight judges, including the Chief Justice.

Subsequently, in 1956, an Act was passed to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court, increasing the number of judges to 10, excluding the Chief Justice. In 1960, the number was increased to 13 judges. In 1986, the number of Supreme Court judges, excluding the Chief Justice, was increased from 17 to 25.

Following this, it rose to 30 in 2008. In 2019, the number was further increased from 30 to 33, excluding the Chief Justice. Including the Chief Justice, the total number of judges reached 34. Now, approval has been given to add four more judges.