Ordinance raises Supreme Court judge strength from 33 to 37 to tackle pendency
President Droupadi Murmu has promulgated an ordinance increasing the Supreme Court's judge strength from 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India) to address the growing backlog of over 93,000 cases. This move, which comes after a six-year hiatus since the last amendment in 2019, amends Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. The ordinance will be presented to Parliament and will cease to operate if not approved within six weeks of reassembly or if disapproved. The Constitution originally envisaged a Supreme Court with a CJI and 'not more than seven judges' until Parliament prescribed a larger number.
Key Points
- An ordinance has been promulgated to increase the Supreme Court's judge strength from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India.
- The primary objective of this increase is to address the significant backlog of over 93,000 cases currently plaguing the Supreme Court.
- The ordinance amends Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, and was promulgated by the President under Article 123 of the Constitution.
- The Constitution's framers originally envisioned a Supreme Court with a Chief Justice and not more than seven judges, allowing Parliament to prescribe a larger number by law.
Exam Facts
- Supreme Court judge strength increased from 33 to 37 (excluding CJI).
- The ordinance was promulgated by the President under Article 123 of the Constitution.
- The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, Section 2, was amended.
- Article 124(1) of the Constitution originally set the strength at CJI + not more than seven judges.
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