What is the common examiner trap about Polity in UPSC exams?

Trap: Confusing 'Money Bill' (Article 110) with 'Financial Bill' (Article 117). Money Bills bypass Rajya Sabha entirely, while Financial Bills can be amended/rejected by Rajya Sabha. Also, do not confuse the current 7-judge bench with the earlier 5-judge bench that referred the matter.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Polity for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: SC strength increased from 34 to 38; total expenditure ₹14,04,17,648 2. Target this Nodal Body: Supreme Court of India (strength fixed by Parliament) 3. Target this Legal Point: Article 110 (Money Bill); 7-judge Constitution Bench pending

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SC (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026 Passed as Money Bill; Strength to Rise from 34 to 38

Q: Which constitutional article deals with the definition and procedure for Money Bills in India?

Article 110, Article 110 of the Constitution defines a Money Bill and lists the matters it can exclusively deal with, such as taxation, borrowing, and appropriation from the Consolidated Fund of India. Article 109 deals with the procedure for Ordinary Bills, Article 111 with the President's assent, and Article 117 with Financial Bills.

Q: Consider the following statements: 1. A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. 2. A Money Bill requires the approval of both Houses of Parliament to become law. 3. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the final authority to certify a Bill as a Money Bill. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. Statement 2 is incorrect: A Money Bill does not require Rajya Sabha's approval; it can only be delayed by 14 days. Statement 3 is correct: The Speaker's certification is final and cannot be questioned in any court. Hence option C is correct.

Q: According to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, what is the proposed total sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges (including the Chief Justice of India)?

38, The Bill seeks to increase the sanctioned strength from the current 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice of India. The previous increase to 34 was also done via a Money Bill in 2019. Options 36 and 40 are close but incorrect distractors.

Q: What is the primary constitutional implication of the government using the Money Bill route to pass the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill?

It bypasses the need for Rajya Sabha's approval, A Money Bill, under Article 110, does not require Rajya Sabha's approval. It can only be delayed by 14 days after which it is deemed passed. This is significant because the government currently lacks a majority in the Rajya Sabha. The other options are incorrect: Money Bills are not subject to High Court challenge on certification, do not require a special majority, and do not require a referendum.

PolityCORE

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

05 Aug 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:SC strength 34 to 38₹14,04,17,648 total expenditure₹10,56,81,648 recurring expenditureArticle 1107-judge Constitution Bench

Bodies:Supreme CourtRajya SabhaLok Sabha

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Rajya Sabha passes SC (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026 as a Money Bill, raising judge strength from 34 to 38.

2.The Bill cites recurring expenditure of ₹10.56 crore and non-recurring expenditure of ₹3.47 crore for the four new posts.

3.The constitutionality of certifying bills as Money Bills is pending before a 7-judge Constitution Bench, with earlier dissents calling it a 'fraud on the Constitution'.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

The Rajya Sabha has passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 as a Money Bill, increasing the sanctioned strength of judges from 34 to 38. This route is constitutionally contentious and is pending adjudication before a 7-judge Supreme Court bench, making this a critical Polity topic for Prelims and Mains.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Current SC Strength34 (including CJI)

Proposed SC Strength38 (including CJI)

Recurring Expenditure (4 judges)₹10,56,81,648 per annum

Non-Recurring Expenditure₹3,47,36,000

Total Expenditure₹14,04,17,648

Constitutional Article for Money BillArticle 110

Pending Bench for Money Bill Issue7-judge Constitution Bench

1-Minute Revision

›Current SC Strength: 34 (including CJI)
›Proposed SC Strength: 38 (including CJI)
›Target this Data: SC strength increased from 34 to 38; total expenditure ₹14,04,17,648
›Target this Nodal Body: Supreme Court of India (strength fixed by Parliament)
›Target this Legal Point: Article 110 (Money Bill); 7-judge Constitution Bench pending

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News Snapshot

⚖️

SC Judge Strength Increased

The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 raises the sanctioned strength from 34 to 38, including the CJI.

📢

Money Bill Route Used

The Bill was passed as a Money Bill under Article 110, bypassing Rajya Sabha's approval, a practice challenged in the Supreme Court.

🔄

Constitutional Challenge Pending

A 7-judge bench is yet to decide if laws like PMLA and Aadhaar Act were validly passed as Money Bills, with earlier dissents calling it a 'fraud on the Constitution'.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Bill increases the Supreme Court's sanctioned judge strength for the second time in recent years (previously raised to 34 in 2019). The government has again used the Money Bill route under Article 110, citing expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India. This route allows the Bill to bypass Rajya Sabha, which is significant given the government's minority in the upper house.

Core Analysis & Implications

The use of the Money Bill route for non-taxation laws has been a major constitutional flashpoint. In 2018, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud (dissenting in the Aadhaar case) termed it a 'fraud on the Constitution'. The PMLA, Aadhaar Act, and Tribunal amendments were all passed this way and their validity is now before a 7-judge bench. If the court rules against the government, several key laws could be struck down for procedural illegality.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The 7-judge Constitution Bench is yet to hear the case despite a 2023 assurance by then CJI Chandrachud. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for parliamentary procedure, the balance of power between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and the validity of major legislation. For now, the government has secured the increase in SC strength, but the legal cloud over the Money Bill route remains.

Key Facts at a Glance

Current SC Strength34 (including CJI)

Proposed SC Strength38 (including CJI)

Recurring Expenditure (4 judges)₹10,56,81,648 per annum

Non-Recurring Expenditure₹3,47,36,000

Total Expenditure₹14,04,17,648

Constitutional Article for Money BillArticle 110

Pending Bench for Money Bill Issue7-judge Constitution Bench

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which constitutional article deals with the definition and procedure for Money Bills in India?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements:

1. A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.

2. A Money Bill requires the approval of both Houses of Parliament to become law.

3. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the final authority to certify a Bill as a Money Bill.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, what is the proposed total sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges (including the Chief Justice of India)?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

What is the primary constitutional implication of the government using the Money Bill route to pass the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill?

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SC (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill 2026 Passed as Money Bill; Strength to Rise from 34 to 38

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

SC Judge Strength Increased

Money Bill Route Used

Constitutional Challenge Pending

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance