With reference to the Supreme Court of India, consider the following statements: 1. The appointment of Justice Sunita Agarwal brings the number of women judges in the Supreme Court to five. 2. The working strength of the Supreme Court reached 37 after the swearing-in of three new judges. 3. The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 38 judges. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Supreme Court strength reaches 37 as Chief Justice Surya Kant swears in three judges

GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Judiciary & landmark judgments· Prelims· 6 October 2026

Judicial appointments and sanctioned strength: a relevant GS2 topic for Polity and Judiciary.

Why in news

Chief Justice Surya Kant administered the oath of office to three new judges, bringing the Supreme Court's working strength to 37.

Background

The Supreme Court's sanctioned strength was increased from 34 to 38 judges earlier in 2026. The new appointees include Justice Sunita Agarwal, Justice Upadhyaya, and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh.

Facts for Prelims

FactSupreme Court working strength reached 37 after the swearing-in of three new judges.
FactThe sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 38 judges, including the Chief Justice.
BodyThe Supreme Court Collegium recommended the elevations on September 28.
FactJustice Sunita Agarwal's appointment brings the number of women judges in the Supreme Court to three.
PostJustice Sunita Agarwal served as Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court before her elevation.

Prelims practice question

With reference to the Supreme Court of India, consider the following statements:

The appointment of Justice Sunita Agarwal brings the number of women judges in the Supreme Court to five.
The working strength of the Supreme Court reached 37 after the swearing-in of three new judges.
The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 38 judges.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c)2 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

Show answer

Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only — Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect: The appointment brings the number of women judges to three.

For Mains

Q. Examine the role of the Supreme Court Collegium in ensuring judicial independence while balancing the need for timely appointments to the higher judiciary.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

Institutional autonomy: Balancing the executive's role in notification with the Collegium's recommendation power.
Judicial diversity: Impact of gender representation in the higher judiciary on inclusive justice delivery.
Vacancy management: Implications of the gap between sanctioned strength and working strength on judicial pendency.

Keywords: Judicial Independence · Supreme Court Collegium · Judicial Appointments · Gender Representation · Sanctioned Strength

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