UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Will increasing the strength of the SC solve the pendency problem?

Q1. Following the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court of India reached its highest-ever figure. What is this total sanctioned strength (judges including the Chief Justice of India)?

  • A. 34
  • B. 37
  • C. 38
  • D. 40

Q2. Consider the following stages in the growth of the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court of India (judges excluding the Chief Justice of India): 1. 1960 — raised to 13 2. 1977 — raised to 17 3. 1986 — raised to 25 4. 2019 — raised to 34 Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. 1960 — raised to 13
  2. 1977 — raised to 17
  3. 1986 — raised to 25
  4. 2019 — raised to 34
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. With reference to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It was promulgated by the President in exercise of powers under Article 123. 2. It amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. 3. It raises the number of judges excluding the Chief Justice of India from 33 to 37. 4. It was enacted as a Constitution Amendment Act under Article 368. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Promulgated by the President under Article 123
  2. Amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956
  3. Raises judges excluding the CJI from 33 to 37
  4. Enacted as a Constitution Amendment Act under Article 368
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 1 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q4. By how many judges did the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 increase the total sanctioned strength (including the Chief Justice of India) of the Supreme Court?

  • A. 3
  • B. 4
  • C. 5
  • D. 7

Q5. Consider the following statements about the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG): 1. It is a national repository of data on cases instituted, pending and disposed of by courts across the country. 2. The Supreme Court of India was onboarded onto the NJDG portal in 2023. 3. It is monitored by the eCommittee of the Supreme Court in coordination with the Department of Justice. 4. It is maintained by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. National repository of case data across courts
  2. Supreme Court onboarded in 2023
  3. Monitored by eCommittee with Department of Justice
  4. Maintained by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. The National Judicial Data Grid, which tracks pendency of cases including that of the Supreme Court, functions under the supervision of the eCommittee of the Supreme Court in coordination with which Union department?

  • A. Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice
  • B. Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice
  • C. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • D. NITI Aayog

Q7. With reference to the constitutional provisions governing the strength and appointment of Supreme Court judges, consider the following statements: 1. Article 124(1) empowers Parliament to prescribe by law a number of judges larger than that provided in the Constitution. 2. Supreme Court judges are appointed by the President under Article 124(2). 3. The Constitution originally provided for a Chief Justice and not more than seven other judges. 4. The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court can be increased only through a Constitution Amendment. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Article 124(1) lets Parliament prescribe a larger number by law
  2. Judges appointed by the President under Article 124(2)
  3. Originally a CJI and not more than seven other judges
  4. Strength can be increased only through a Constitution Amendment
  • A. 2 only
  • B. 3 and 4
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the composition and appointment of Supreme Court judges under the Constitution: 1. The President appoints Supreme Court judges after consultation with the Chief Justice of India. 2. Article 124(1) fixes the strength of the Supreme Court permanently and it cannot be altered. 3. Parliament may by law increase the number of Supreme Court judges beyond that provided in the Constitution. 4. A person must have been a Judge of a High Court for at least five years to be eligible for appointment as a Supreme Court judge. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. President appoints after consultation with the CJI
  2. Article 124(1) fixes strength permanently and unalterably
  3. Parliament may by law increase the number of judges
  4. At least five years as a High Court judge for eligibility
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. The parallel Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 — cleared by the Union Cabinet alongside the Ordinance — is piloted in Parliament by which Union ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • B. Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • D. Prime Minister's Office

Q10. In its recommendations declared on 27 May 2026, the Supreme Court Collegium proposed how many persons in total for elevation as Judges of the Supreme Court?

  • A. 3
  • B. 4
  • C. 5
  • D. 6

Q11. The e-Courts Mission Mode Project, which uses information and communication technology to cut delays and reduce case pendency, is implemented by which body in association with the eCommittee of the Supreme Court?

  • A. Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice
  • B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • C. Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice
  • D. Registry of the Supreme Court of India

Q12. Consider the following statements comparing the Supreme Court and the High Courts as of 2026: 1. The combined sanctioned strength of the High Courts (over 1,100) far exceeds the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court (38). 2. Unlike the Supreme Court, the High Courts had no vacancies against their sanctioned strength in 2026. 3. Judges of both the Supreme Court and the High Courts are appointed by the President of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Combined HC sanctioned strength (1,100+) far exceeds SC's 38
  2. High Courts had no vacancies in 2026
  3. Both SC and HC judges appointed by the President
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3