UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The Ordinance question before the SC

Q1. How many additional posts of judges of the Supreme Court were created by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026?

  • A. 3
  • B. 4
  • C. 5
  • D. 7

Q2. 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 of the Constitution. 2. It amends Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 by substituting the word 'thirty-three' with 'thirty-seven'. 3. It raises the total sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court (including the Chief Justice of India) from 34 to 38. 4. It inserts a new Article 124A in the Constitution to enable the executive to alter the strength of the Supreme Court. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was promulgated by the President in exercise of powers under Article 123 of the Constitution.
  2. It amends Section 2 of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 by substituting the word 'thirty-three' with 'thirty-seven'.
  3. It raises the total sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court (including the Chief Justice of India) from 34 to 38.
  4. It inserts a new Article 124A in the Constitution to enable the executive to alter the strength of the Supreme Court.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q3. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 was promulgated by the President in exercise of powers conferred under which one of the following Articles of the Constitution?

  • A. Article 124(1)
  • B. Article 123
  • C. Article 213
  • D. Article 143

Q4. In the context of the constitutional debate surrounding the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, which one of the following best describes an 'Ordinance' under Article 123?

  • A. A permanent law enacted by the President after a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament
  • B. A temporary law promulgated by the President when Parliament is not in session, having the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament but ceasing to operate at the expiry of six weeks from reassembly unless approved
  • C. A delegated regulation framed by the Union Cabinet under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules
  • D. A constitutional amendment passed by the executive that requires ratification by half the State Legislatures

Q5. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 is constitutionally significant because it marks the first instance of which one of the following?

  • A. An increase in the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court being effected through an Ordinance rather than an Act of Parliament
  • B. The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court being raised above thirty
  • C. The President promulgating an Ordinance amending a central law in 2026
  • D. An amendment being made to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956