UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Ordinance increases number of SC judges to 37

Q1. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 — the statute amended by the 2026 Ordinance — is administered by which Union ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Law and Justice (Department of Justice)
  • B. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Q2. Under Article 123, within how many weeks of the reassembly of Parliament must an ordinance be approved, failing which it ceases to operate?

  • A. Four weeks
  • B. Six weeks
  • C. Eight weeks
  • D. Twelve weeks

Q3. With reference to the statutory revision of Supreme Court judge strength, consider the following statements: 1. The statute amended by the 2026 Ordinance is the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. 2. The 2019 amendment raised the number of judges (excluding the CJI) from 30 to 33. 3. The 2026 Ordinance raised the number of judges (excluding the CJI) from 33 to 37. 4. The 2026 increase was effected by directly amending the Constitution of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The statute amended by the 2026 Ordinance is the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
  2. The 2019 amendment raised the number of judges (excluding the CJI) from 30 to 33.
  3. The 2026 Ordinance raised the number of judges (excluding the CJI) from 33 to 37.
  4. The 2026 increase was effected by directly amending the Constitution of India.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q4. Following the 2026 Ordinance, the total sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court — its highest ever figure — including the Chief Justice of India, stands at:

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

Q5. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 was promulgated exclusively by which authority under Article 123?

  • A. The President of India
  • B. The Union Cabinet
  • C. The Chief Justice of India
  • D. Both Houses of Parliament

Q6. With reference to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It increased the number of puisne judges from 33 to 37. 2. The Union Cabinet cleared the proposal on 5 May 2026. 3. It was promulgated through a Gazette notification dated 16 May 2026. 4. It replaced the collegium system with a judicial appointments commission. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It increased the number of puisne judges from 33 to 37.
  2. The Union Cabinet cleared the proposal on 5 May 2026.
  3. It was promulgated through a Gazette notification dated 16 May 2026.
  4. It replaced the collegium system with a judicial appointments commission.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q7. With reference to the rationale for the 2026 increase in Supreme Court judge strength, consider the following statements: 1. Pending cases in the Supreme Court numbered 93,143 as of 31 March 2026. 2. Rising case pendency was cited as the trigger for raising judge strength. 3. A larger bench of judges enables more matters to be listed and heard simultaneously. 4. The pending caseload had fallen below 50,000 by March 2026. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Pending cases in the Supreme Court numbered 93,143 as of 31 March 2026.
  2. Rising case pendency was cited as the trigger for raising judge strength.
  3. A larger bench of judges enables more matters to be listed and heard simultaneously.
  4. The pending caseload had fallen below 50,000 by March 2026.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q8. The President promulgated the 2026 ordinance responding to Supreme Court pendency under which Article of the Constitution?

  • A. Article 123
  • B. Article 124
  • C. Article 213
  • D. Article 143

Q9. As originally enacted, Article 124(1) provided for a Supreme Court consisting of the Chief Justice of India and how many other judges, until Parliament by law prescribed a larger number?

  • A. Five
  • B. Seven
  • C. Ten
  • D. Thirteen

Q10. In the collegium that recommends persons for appointment as Supreme Court judges to the President, who is the presiding head?

  • A. The Chief Justice of India
  • B. The senior-most puisne judge of the Supreme Court
  • C. The Union Minister for Law and Justice
  • D. The President of India

Q11. With reference to the ordinance-making process, consider the following statements: 1. An ordinance can be promulgated only when at least one House of Parliament is not in session. 2. An ordinance has the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament. 3. An ordinance must be laid before both Houses when Parliament reassembles. 4. Once promulgated, an ordinance cannot be withdrawn by the President before Parliament meets. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. An ordinance can be promulgated only when at least one House of Parliament is not in session.
  2. An ordinance has the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament.
  3. An ordinance must be laid before both Houses when Parliament reassembles.
  4. Once promulgated, an ordinance cannot be withdrawn by the President before Parliament meets.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q12. Which of the following High Courts has the highest sanctioned strength of judges in India?

  • A. Allahabad High Court
  • B. Bombay High Court
  • C. Madras High Court
  • D. Punjab and Haryana High Court