Anti-paper leak bill, Supreme Court judges amendment on Parliament agenda
The Lok Sabha's agenda for the day included the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to raise the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges.
A report on fertilizer public sector undertaking (PSU) disinvestment and a report on medicine prices were listed for tabling in the House.
The Rajya Sabha's agenda included the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to extend legal protection to the National Song.
Several ministers were scheduled to lay official papers, notifications, and statements before both Houses as part of routine legislative business.
A separate bill to prevent unfair means in public examinations was also part of the day's agenda (covered in detail separately).
Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 and Article 124
Article 124(1) of the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court and fixes its original composition at one Chief Justice of India (CJI) and, "until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number," not more than seven other judges. This means the total strength of the Supreme Court is not fixed by the Constitution itself but is left to an ordinary law of Parliament — the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 — which can be amended by a simple majority, unlike provisions requiring a constitutional amendment.
Key Details
- Original 1950 strength: CJI + 7 judges (8 total).
- The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 has been amended multiple times to raise the ceiling: to 11 (1956), 14 (1960), 18 (1978), 26 (1986), 31 (2009), and 34 (2019 amendment, including the CJI).
- The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes to raise the number of judges (excluding the CJI) from 33 to 37, taking total sanctioned strength from 34 to 38.
- The bill replaces an ordinance route used earlier in 2026; it does not alter the Supreme Court's jurisdiction, powers, or the judicial appointment process — only the numerical ceiling.
- Expenditure on judges' salaries and allowances is charged to the Consolidated Fund of India.
The bill on the day's agenda illustrates how Parliament can alter the top court's composition through ordinary legislation rather than a constitutional amendment, since Article 124(1) itself delegates this power to Parliament.
Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (Amendment)
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 penalizes disrespect to the National Flag, the Constitution, and the National Anthem. The 2026 amendment bill extends comparable statutory protection to the National Song ("Vande Mataram"), which until now enjoyed only symbolic constitutional status under Article 51A (fundamental duties) without a dedicated penal provision equivalent to that for the National Anthem.
Key Details
- Original 1971 Act covers insults to the National Flag, the Constitution of India, and the National Anthem.
- The 2026 amendment bill proposes penalties, reportedly including imprisonment of up to five years, fines, or both, for intentionally preventing the singing of the National Song or causing disturbance during its rendition.
- The bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This bill was on the same day's Rajya Sabha agenda, showing how Parliament periodically updates protective legislation around national symbols through targeted amendments rather than fresh standalone laws.
Parliamentary Reports and Papers Laid on the Table
Under parliamentary procedure, ministries routinely place reports, notifications, and statements "on the table" of the House — a constitutional requirement for certain instruments (e.g., delegated legislation, statutory body reports) to ensure legislative oversight of the executive.
Key Details
- Reports laid on the table can be discussed, referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee, or simply noted, depending on the rules governing that specific instrument.
- Standing Committees (Department-Related) scrutinize such reports in greater depth outside the House floor, per the Committee system introduced in 1993.
Reports on fertilizer PSU disinvestment status and medicine pricing were listed for tabling the same day, reflecting the routine oversight function of Parliament running alongside major legislative business.
- Supreme Court sanctioned strength: proposed rise from 34 to 38 (including CJI), i.e., 33 to 37 judges excluding the CJI.
- The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 has seen strength increases roughly six times: 1956, 1960, 1978, 1986, 2009, and 2019.
- Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act enacted in 1971; 2026 amendment adds protection for the National Song.
- Article 124(1) permits Parliament to alter Supreme Court strength through ordinary law, not constitutional amendment.