A day after the Union Cabinet approved a proposal to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court from 34 judges to 38 judges; Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday welcomed it, saying it will ensure the timely disposal of cases.
“There is indeed a need for additional judges in the Supreme Court at this moment, as several matters requiring a Constitutional Bench are currently pending before the Court. To ensure the timely disposal of these specific matters, I believe it is essential that a dedicated Constitutional Bench functions continuously,” the CJI said.
“Therefore, on behalf of the Supreme Court, I would like to express my gratitude to the Central Government. If the law is amended to increase the number of judges, it will certainly expedite the resolution of the pending issues currently awaiting a Constitutional Bench,” Justice Kant told reporters here after delivering the 8 Dinkar Memorial Lecture on “Rashmirathi: The Epic of Social Justice” organised by NGO Respect India.
“The total volume of pending cases in the Supreme Court as well as the rate at which new cases are being filed… which has been consistently rising year after year, has increased significantly. Keeping this in mind, the Central Government has decided to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges. A legislative provision will be enacted to facilitate this, and I am confident that this will happen very soon,” he said.
Delivering the lecture in chaste Hindi, Justice Kant said despite its growing influence, artificial intelligence is showing inherent bias against the poor, and stressed that social justice remains the cornerstone of a humane and equitable society.
He said the ideals of equality and human dignity were powerfully echoed in the works of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, long before they were incorporated into the Constitution of India.
Speaking about AI, the CJI said reports suggested that the technology also discriminated against certain groups and was sometimes biased.
As of March 31, 2026, the total pendency in the Supreme Court touched a record high of 93,143 cases.
In 2019, the number of judges in the Supreme Court was increased from 31 to 33 (excluding the CJI).
According to Article 124 (1) in the Constitution, “There shall be a Supreme Court of India consisting of a Chief Justice of India and, until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number, of not more than seven other Judges…”.
At its inception in 1950, the Supreme Court had only eight judges, including the CJI. The number of judges in the Supreme Court was first increased in 1956 to 11, including the CJI and then to 14 in 1960 and 18 in 1977.
The Supreme Court’s judge-strength was increased from 18 to 26 in 1986 and further to 31 in 2009. It was increased to its present strength of 34 (including the CJI) in 2019.
