The Supreme Court is once again facing three vacancies despite the appointment of five new judges earlier this month, following the retirement of two judges during the summer vacation.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant had on June 2 administered the oath of office to Justice Sheel Nagu, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Justice Arun Palli and Justice V Mohana, taking the court's working strength to 37 against the sanctioned strength of 38 judges.
However, the retirement of Justice Pankaj Mithal on June 16 and Justice J K Maheshwari on June 28 has reduced the court's strength to 35, leaving three posts vacant.
With Justice Maheshwari's retirement, Justice P S Narasimha is set to join the Supreme Court Collegium, the body responsible for recommending appointments and transfers of judges.
The collegium, headed by the Chief Justice of India, is expected to recommend names to fill the existing vacancies as well as those arising from the scheduled retirement of Justice Sanjay Karol on August 22 and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma on November 29.
Last month, the Centre increased the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India, through The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026. The ordinance amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, increasing the number of judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice.
The last revision in the court's strength was carried out in 2019, when the sanctioned number of judges was increased from 31 to 33, excluding the Chief Justice.
The government said the increase in judicial strength was aimed at improving the apex court's efficiency and ensuring speedier disposal of cases. As of May 31, 2026, pendency in the Supreme Court stood at a record 92,429 cases.
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