UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Govt. introduces Bill in Lok Sabha to raise strength of judges in SC to 38

Q1. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 falls within the administrative remit of which one of the following?

  • A. The Legislative Department under the Ministry of Law and Justice
  • B. The Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice
  • C. The Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice
  • D. The Department of Justice under the Ministry of Home Affairs

Q2. In the context of the Bill, the 'sanctioned strength' of the Supreme Court refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The number of judges actually in office and hearing cases on a given day
  • B. The maximum number of judges, including the Chief Justice of India, that Parliament has authorised the Court to have by law
  • C. The quorum of judges required to constitute a Constitution Bench
  • D. The number of judges recommended by the Collegium but not yet sworn in

Q3. Under the Constitution, the authority empowered to prescribe, by law, the number of judges of the Supreme Court in addition to the Chief Justice of India is:

  • A. The President, acting on the advice of the Chief Justice of India
  • B. The Union Cabinet, through an executive order
  • C. The Supreme Court Collegium
  • D. Parliament

Q4. Consider the following statements about the constitutional basis for fixing the strength of the Supreme Court: 1. As originally enacted, Article 124(1) fixed the Court's composition at the Chief Justice and not more than seven other judges, until Parliament prescribed a larger number. 2. Parliament can alter the number of judges of the Supreme Court only by amending the Constitution. 3. The 2019 amendment took the sanctioned strength, including the Chief Justice of India, to 34. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. As originally enacted, Article 124(1) fixed the Court's composition at the Chief Justice and not more than seven other judges, until Parliament prescribed a larger number.
  2. Parliament can alter the number of judges of the Supreme Court only by amending the Constitution.
  3. The 2019 amendment took the sanctioned strength, including the Chief Justice of India, to 34.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Consider the following statements about ordinances promulgated under Article 123 of the Constitution: 1. While in operation, an ordinance has the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament. 2. An ordinance must be laid before both Houses and ceases to operate at the expiration of six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament, unless approved earlier. 3. The President's ordinance-making power is absolute and can be exercised even when both Houses of Parliament are in session. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. While in operation, an ordinance has the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament.
  2. An ordinance must be laid before both Houses and ceases to operate at the expiration of six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament, unless approved earlier.
  3. The President's ordinance-making power is absolute and can be exercised even when both Houses of Parliament are in session.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. With reference to the ordinance-making power under Article 123, consider the following statements: 1. An ordinance is promulgated when circumstances render it necessary to take immediate action. 2. An ordinance can be issued only when both Houses of Parliament, or one of them, are not in session. 3. An ordinance ceases to operate six weeks after the reassembly of Parliament unless approved earlier. 4. The power to promulgate an ordinance under Article 123 is expressly conferred on the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. An ordinance is promulgated when circumstances render it necessary to take immediate action.
  2. An ordinance can be issued only when both Houses of Parliament, or one of them, are not in session.
  3. An ordinance ceases to operate six weeks after the reassembly of Parliament unless approved earlier.
  4. The power to promulgate an ordinance under Article 123 is expressly conferred on the Prime Minister.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q7. Prior to the 2026 Ordinance, the sanctioned strength of judges of the Supreme Court was last enhanced by an amendment to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 in which year?

  • A. 2009
  • B. 2019
  • C. 1986
  • D. 2014

Q8. Which one of the following statements about the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 is correct?

  • A. It is the sole and exclusive instrument through which the entire composition of the Supreme Court, including the appointment of every individual judge, is determined.
  • B. It permanently freezes the strength of the Supreme Court, which can never be altered except by a constitutional amendment.
  • C. It is a law made by Parliament that fixes the number of judges of the Supreme Court other than the Chief Justice of India.
  • D. It applies to all courts in the country, including every High Court and subordinate court.

Q9. Each successive increase in the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court since 1956 has been given effect through which one of the following?

  • A. A constitutional amendment under Article 368
  • B. An amendment to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 passed by Parliament
  • C. A notification issued by the Supreme Court Collegium
  • D. A proclamation issued by the President under Article 124(1)

Q10. With reference to changes in the strength of the Supreme Court, consider the following statements: 1. The 2019 amendment raised the number of judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, from 30 to 33. 2. The 2026 ordinance raised the number of judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, from 33 to 37. 3. The Supreme Court has functioned at its full sanctioned strength without a single vacancy at all times since 2019. 4. Since its establishment, the strength of the Supreme Court has always remained fixed and has never been enhanced by Parliament. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The 2019 amendment raised the number of judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, from 30 to 33.
  2. The 2026 ordinance raised the number of judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, from 33 to 37.
  3. The Supreme Court has functioned at its full sanctioned strength without a single vacancy at all times since 2019.
  4. Since its establishment, the strength of the Supreme Court has always remained fixed and has never been enhanced by Parliament.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 and 4

Q11. Consider the following statements about the qualifications and tenure of a judge of the Supreme Court: 1. A person who has been a judge of a High Court for at least five years is qualified for appointment. 2. A distinguished jurist, in the opinion of the President, may be appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. 3. A judge of the Supreme Court holds office until he attains the age of sixty-two years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A person who has been a judge of a High Court for at least five years is qualified for appointment.
  2. A distinguished jurist, in the opinion of the President, may be appointed a judge of the Supreme Court.
  3. A judge of the Supreme Court holds office until he attains the age of sixty-two years.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, consider the following: 1. About 92,101 cases were pending in the Supreme Court as on 1 January 2026. 2. In 2025, about 75,410 cases were filed (instituted) in the Supreme Court. 3. In 2025, about 65,615 cases were disposed of by the Supreme Court. 4. In 2025, disposals exceeded fresh institutions, thereby reducing overall pendency. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. About 92,101 cases were pending in the Supreme Court as on 1 January 2026.
  2. In 2025, about 75,410 cases were filed (instituted) in the Supreme Court.
  3. In 2025, about 65,615 cases were disposed of by the Supreme Court.
  4. In 2025, disposals exceeded fresh institutions, thereby reducing overall pendency.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 2 only