SC Collegium Opacity: 30% Judges with Familial Links, Demand for Transparency in Appointments

Supreme Court Expands to 38 Judges: Diversity Deficit Exposed as Women Only 4.15%

Parliament passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, adding 4 judges to the apex court (strength now 38). However, the article underscores a glaring lack of diversity: women constitute only 4.15% of all SC judges ever appointed, and caste representation in High Courts remains abysmally low. For exam aspirants, this links directly to the collegium system, judicial appointments, social justice, and pendency crisis.

SC Collegium Elevates 4 Judges as Chief Justices: Justice V. Kameswar Rao to Patna HC

The Supreme Court Collegium, led by CJI Surya Kant, has recommended the elevation of four High Court judges as Chief Justices of different high courts and the transfer of two judges. This highlights the Collegium's role in judicial appointments and transfers, a key topic for UPSC Polity and Governance.

SC Collegium Divided on Acting Chief Justice's Power to Appoint HC Judges - 2026 Case

The Supreme Court Collegium faces a recurring question: can Acting Chief Justices of High Courts recommend names for judicial appointments? The controversy over Rajasthan HC's Acting CJ Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma's recommendations has revived the debate, with the Collegium divided on whether to accept such names or insist on a permanent Chief Justice. This has implications for the independence and efficiency of judicial appointments.

Rajya Sabha Passes Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026, Raising Judge Strength to 38

The Rajya Sabha has cleared the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, raising the apex court's sanctioned strength from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. The Bill replaces a May ordinance, but Opposition MPs questioned the ordinance route and highlighted the persistent diversity deficit in judicial appointments. This is a high-yield Polity topic for Prelims and Mains, with concrete data on SC/ST/OBC/minority/women representation and judiciary infrastructure.

SC Strength Increased to 38 Judges: Will It Reduce Pendency and Free Up Constitution Benches?

Parliament has passed a bill increasing Supreme Court judge strength from 34 to 38, aimed at enabling regular Constitution Benches and reducing case backlog (92,101 cases pending as of Jan 1, 2026). However, past Law Commission reports question if more judges alone can solve pendency, and the real impact depends on filling vacancies and judicial management.

SC Collegium Elevation Threatens Maratha Quota Case; 10% SEBC Reservation at Risk

The Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation to transfer Bombay HC Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge to Calcutta HC may force a fresh hearing of the challenge to Maharashtra’s 2024 Maratha reservation law after 20 sittings. This is the second time a bench change has stalled the politically sensitive case, putting the 10% SEBC quota for the Maratha community in legal limbo.

SC to Hear Plea on Distinguishing Criticism of Judiciary from Online Distortion of Judges' Remarks

The Supreme Court agreed to examine a plea seeking a legal framework to differentiate between fair criticism of the judiciary and the malicious distortion of judges' oral remarks on social media. This raises critical questions about judicial accountability, freedom of speech, and the integrity of judicial records in the digital age.

Supreme Court Collegium to Fill 4 Vacancies; Gender and CJI Succession Criteria Examined

The Supreme Court Collegium, after completing appointments of regular Chief Justices to all 25 High Courts, now focuses on filling 4 vacancies in the Supreme Court. The selection will consider gender representation (only 3 women HC Chief Justices) and potential CJI succession. Aspirants must note the current strength (34 judges) and upcoming retirements of Justice Satish Chandra Sharma (Nov 29, 2026) and CJI Surya Kant (Feb 9, 2027).