New Delhi, Aug. 5 -- The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, completing Parliament's approval of the legislation, as the Lok Sabha had already cleared it. The Bill increases the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.

The bill was moved in the Upper House by Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

The Lok Sabha had passed the bill on Monday by voice vote.

The Bill replaces the May 2026 Ordinance that had already expanded the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges and marks the first increase in the apex court's strength since 2019.

During the debate on the Bill, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra urged the ...