New Delhi: The Union Cabinet approved a proposal to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that a bill will be presented in the Parliament’s next session to increase the strength of judges from 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice of India, PTI reported.
At present, the apex court is functioning with two vacancies out of its sanctioned strength. If the bill is passed in the parliament, the apex court’s strength will rise to four judges. In the count of the judges, the last revision was enacted in 2019, when the number was increased to 33.
Judges’ tally rises over the years
Over the last few decades, the total number of judges has been expanded over the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act of 1956, which was originally capped at 10, but the strength has been raised several times- first in 1960, to 13 judges; then to 17; later to 25 in 1986; then to 30 in 2009, before reaching the current level.
As per Article 124(3) of the Constitution, a person is eligible to become a Supreme Court judge if they are an Indian citizen and have served as a high court judge for at least five years or as an advocate for ten years or are recognised as a distinguished jurist.
The process of increasing the court’s strength typically begins with a recommendation from the Chief Justice of India to the Union Law Ministry. After consultations, including with the Finance Ministry, the proposal is placed before the Cabinet in the form of a draft bill.
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