Five new judges join Supreme Court following increase in sanctioned strength

📌 Summary:

• On June 2, 2026 the Supreme Court got five new judges, taking its working strength to 37, with only one vacancy now remaining
• Followed Union government's recent decision to raise the sanctioned strength from 33 to 37 (excluding the CJI) through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 — promulgated on May 16, 2026
• Sanctioned strength of judges (incl. CJI) thus rises to 38
• Stated aim: address backlog of more than 93,000 pending cases in the SC and facilitate more frequent convening of Constitution Benches (5/7/9-judge benches for matters of constitutional interpretation)
• Appointments made via the Collegium system — CJI Surya Kant heads the Collegium that recommends names; President of India makes the formal appointment under Article 124(2)

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — Judiciary: composition, appointment, working of the Supreme Court; Collegium system vs NJAC debate; backlog and judicial reforms; constitutional benches.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Article 124: Establishment & constitution of the Supreme Court
• Article 124(2): President appoints SC judges after consultation with CJI & other judges (basis of Collegium since "Three Judges Cases" 1981-1998)
• Original sanctioned strength of SC (1950): 8 (incl. CJI)
• Earlier sanctioned strength: 34 (CJI + 33); now 38 (CJI + 37)
• The 2026 Ordinance: Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, promulgated 16 May 2026
• CJI as of date: Justice Surya Kant
• Backlog: >93,000 pending cases in SC

🔑 Key Term: Collegium System — A judge-led mechanism (not in the Constitution; evolved through the Second & Third Judges Cases, 1993 & 1998) under which the CJI and four senior-most SC judges recommend appointments and transfers of SC and HC judges to the President.