Supreme Court Judges Strength Set to Rise as Lok Sabha Takes Up Amendment Bill
On the ninth day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Lok Sabha is scheduled to consider and pass the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026. The Bill, to be moved by Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, seeks to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the apex court from 34 to 38 judges. At present, the Act provides for a maximum of 33 judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, making the total strength 34. The Cabinet had approved the proposal in May.
In another significant development, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which introduces stricter measures to curb exam paper leaks. The Bill was passed by a voice vote after a two-day debate marked by repeated disruptions and adjournments. The Opposition accused the government of ordering police brutality during a July 20 police action against students, leading to protests from both sides. A word used by Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi during his speech was later expunged from the House records. The government hailed the passage of the Bill.
The Rajya Sabha is set to consider and pass the exam leak Bill on Thursday. The Upper House will also take up the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes changes to the MSME Development Act, 2006, to improve payment systems, ease compliance, and expedite dispute resolution for micro, small and medium enterprises.
