Changes to the Number of Judges and the Collegium in the Supreme Court of India

印度最高法院法官人數與合議庭的變動

Jun 28, 2026, 11:27
IndiaPolitics

Introduction

The Supreme Court of India is currently adjusting its number of judges after a legal increase in its total capacity and the retirement of several justices.

印度最高法院在法律上增加總額後，加上多位法官退休，目前正在調整法官人數。

Main Body

The total number of judges in the Supreme Court has been officially increased. According to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance 2026, issued on May 16, the official limit rose from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). This change was made to implement a government proposal from May 5 while Parliament was not meeting. The administration emphasized that this increase is necessary to improve judicial efficiency and speed up the resolution of cases, especially since the number of pending cases reached a peak of 92,429 by May 31, 2026.

最高法院的法官總數已正式增加。根據 5 月 16 日發布的《2026 年最高法院（法官人數）修正條例》，官方上限從 34 位增加到 38 位法官，包括印度首席大法官 (CJI)。此變動是為了在國會休會期間，執行政府 5 月 5 日提出的建議。行政部門強調，由於截至 2026 年 5 月 31 日，積壓案件數達到 92,429 件的高峰，因此增加人數對於提高司法效率及加速案件處理至關重要。

Historically, the court has grown from eight judges in 1950 to its current limit through several increases over the decades. Although five new judges were appointed on June 2, the court still has three vacancies. These vacancies were caused by the retirements of Justice Pankaj Mithal on June 16 and Justice JK Maheshwari on June 28. Furthermore, more vacancies are expected when Justice Sanjay Karol retires on August 22 and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma retires on November 29.

從歷史上看，法院從 1950 年的 8 位法官開始，經過數十年的多次增加，達到目前的上限。雖然 6 月 2 日任命了 5 位新法官，但法院仍有 3 個空缺。這些空缺是由於法官 Pankaj Mithal 於 6 月 16 日以及法官 JK Maheshwari 於 6 月 28 日退休所致。此外，預計在法官 Sanjay Karol 於 8 月 22 日及法官 Satish Chandra Sharma 於 11 月 29 日退休後，將出現更多空缺。

Along with these personnel changes, there is a shift in the Supreme Court Collegium. After Justice Maheshwari left, Justice P S Narasimha became the fifth senior-most judge and joined the Collegium. Justice Narasimha has a distinguished career, having served as a senior advocate and Additional Solicitor General of India. The Collegium, which was established in 1993, now consists of CJI Surya Kant and four other senior justices. This group is responsible for recommending judicial appointments, although the government can ask them to reconsider these suggestions.

除了這些人事變動，最高法院合議庭 (Collegium) 也有所更替。在法官 Maheshwari 離職後，法官 P S Narasimha 成為第五位資深法官並加入合議庭。法官 Narasimha 擁有卓越的職業生涯，曾擔任資深律師及印度額外總檢察長。合議庭成立於 1993 年，目前由首席大法官 Surya Kant 及另外四位資深法官組成。該小組負責推薦司法任命，儘管政府可以要求其重新考慮這些建議。

Conclusion

The Supreme Court currently has 35 judges out of a possible 38, and the Collegium is now working to fill the current and upcoming vacancies.

最高法院目前在 38 個名額中已有 35 位法官，合議庭目前正努力填補現有及即將出現的空缺。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The Power of 'Nominalization' (Turning Actions into Things)

At the A2 level, you usually say: "The government proposed this, so they increased the number of judges." (Simple Subject + Verb).

To reach B2, you need to move toward Nominalization. This is when we turn a verb (an action) into a noun (a thing). This makes your English sound more professional, academic, and precise.

Look at this shift from the text:

  • A2 Style: The court grew over many decades. →\rightarrow The court grew.
  • B2 Style: Through several increases over the decades.

Why does this matter? By using "increases" (the noun) instead of "increased" (the verb), the writer can pack more information into one sentence without it sounding like a child's story. It changes the focus from who did the action to what happened.

🛠️ B2 Upgrade Kit: From Action →\rightarrow Concept

Observe how these words from the article transform a simple sentence into a "B2-level" statement:

  1. Resolution (from to resolve)

    • A2: They want to resolve cases faster.
    • B2: To speed up the resolution of cases.

  2. Appointment (from to appoint)

    • A2: They are appointing new judges.
    • B2: Recommending judicial appointments.

  3. Capacity (from to hold/contain)

    • A2: The court can hold more judges now.
    • B2: An increase in its total capacity.

💡 Pro Tip for the Transition

Next time you write a sentence with a simple verb, ask yourself: "Can I turn this action into a noun?"

  • Instead of: "We need to improve the system."
  • Try: "An improvement of the system is necessary."

This subtle shift is the "secret bridge" that moves your writing from basic communication to professional fluency.

Vocabulary Learning

implement (v.)
To start using a plan, system, or law.
Example:The company decided to implement a new policy to reduce plastic waste.
efficiency (n.)
The quality of being productive without wasting materials, time, or energy.
Example:The new software improved the efficiency of the accounting department.
resolution (n.)
The action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.
Example:The mediator helped the two parties reach a peaceful resolution.
pending (adj.)
Waiting to be decided or settled.
Example:There are several pending applications that need to be reviewed by the manager.
vacancy (n.)
An unoccupied official position or available room.
Example:The hotel had no vacancy due to the peak holiday season.
distinguished (adj.)
Successful, authoritative, and commanding great respect.
Example:The professor had a distinguished career in the field of astrophysics.
reconsider (v.)
To think about a decision again, usually with the possibility of changing it.
Example:After hearing the new evidence, the judge agreed to reconsider the sentence.
Practice B2 words in a crossword→