Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026: Key Provisions

Supreme Court of India- Key Facts at a Glance

Evolution & Establishment:

• 1774: Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William (Calcutta) established under the Regulating Act, 1773.
• 1937: Federal Court of India established under the Government of India Act, 1935.
• 26 January 1950: Supreme Court of India established under Article 124, replacing the Federal Court and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
• 28 January 1950: Supreme Court formally inaugurated.

Composition & Appointment:

• Original Strength (1950): 1 Chief Justice + 7 Puisne Judges (8 Judges).
• Present Strength (2026): 1 Chief Justice + 37 Puisne Judges (38 Judges).
• Appointment: Judges are appointed by the President under Article 124(2) through the Collegium System.
• Retirement Age: 65 years.
• Removal: By the President after an address by both Houses of Parliament on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity (Articles 124(4) & 124(5)).

Jurisdiction & Powers:

• Original Jurisdiction (Article 131): Disputes between the Union and States or between States.
• Writ Jurisdiction (Article 32): Issues Writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
• Appellate Jurisdiction (Articles 132–136): Hears appeals in constitutional, civil, and criminal matters, including Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) under Article 136.
• Review Jurisdiction (Article 137): Reviews its own judgments to correct errors.
• Advisory Jurisdiction (Article 143): Advises the President on questions of law or public importance.
• Court of Record (Article 129): Judgments are binding precedents and the Court can punish for contempt.
• Constitution Benches (Article 145(3)): Minimum five judges hear cases involving substantial constitutional questions.

Major Powers: (UPSC CSE Prelims 2021)

• Judicial Review: Strikes down unconstitutional laws and executive actions.
• Judicial Activism: Expands constitutional rights through progressive interpretation.
• Public Interest Litigation (PIL): Enables public-spirited persons to seek justice for public causes.
• Protection of Fundamental Rights: Enforces Fundamental Rights, primarily under Article 32.
• Constitutional Interpretation: Final interpreter and guardian of the Constitution.
• Complete Justice (Article 142): Passes orders necessary to ensure complete justice.
• Contempt of Court: Punishes civil and criminal contempt to uphold judicial authority.
• Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act as a Supreme Court judge by the Chief Justice of India with the prior permission of the President of India.