Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 introduced in Lok Sabha
New Delhi, July 20
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Monday introduced the Supreme Court Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha amid continued Opposition sloganeering during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Meghwal moved for leave to introduce the Bill, which seeks to further amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. The proposed legislation seeks to replace the ordinance promulgated by the Centre to increase the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court from 33 to 37.
The Bill was introduced even as Opposition members continued raising slogans in the House over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case.
Amid the continued disruptions, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12.30 pm.
Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, proceedings were also disrupted after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of the alleged NEET paper leak and ongoing student protests.
"You have allowed me to present my views regarding this paper leak and the NEET examination scandal. This is a matter concerning students; I am speaking about the futures of lakhs of children. Thousands of students have gathered at Jantar Mantar for this cause. A lathi-charge has taken place there. The government is trying to use force, suppress voices, and drive them away," Kharge said, following which Rajya Sabha Speaker CP Radhakrishnan adjourned the House till 12 noon.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which began on Monday and will continue till August 13, is expected to witness heated exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches.
Apart from the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, the government is scheduled to introduce the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, making any obstruction or insult to the national song Vande Mataram a criminal offence.
The Opposition has indicated it will press for discussions on the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya, and other issues during the session.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some action on judicial reforms! 37 judges for a country of 1.4 billion is still too less though. Also, the Vande Mataram amendment is welcome - our national song deserves respect. But Parliament needs to function properly, not just adjourn every day. 🙏
Opposition is doing nothing but drama. They should let Parliament run. Supreme Court needs more judges urgently - we've been waiting for justice for years. But the NEET issue is also serious, both sides need to sit and talk. Arre yaar, is desh me kaam toh hone do! 😤
Interesting to see the Vande Mataram bill. Would be curious how they define "insult" or "obstruction" - could be a bit vague. The SC judge increase seems practical though, Indian courts are overwhelmed. Hope the Monsoon Session yields something constructive.
NEET scam and Ram Mandir trust embezzlement - both are serious allegations affecting students and devotees. Government should allow detailed discussion instead of pushing bills through disruption. The SC judge increase is necessary but not at the cost of silencing other important issues. 🙏
Kharge is right - lakhs of students' futures are at stake with NEET issue. Lathi-charge on students? Not acceptable in a democracy. SC judge increase is a technical matter, but student protests and paper leaks need urgent attention. Hope both sides come to their senses. 😠
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