Supreme Court at full strength

Subject : Polity

Section: Judiciary

Concept :

Chief Justice of India Y. Chandrachud administered the oath of office to Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and K.V. Viswanathan, bringing the Supreme Court of India back to its full strength of 34 judges.
The Supreme Court of India comprises the Chief Justice and 33 other Judges appointed by the President of India.
Justices Mishra and Viswanathan replaced retiring Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and M.R. Shah.
The swearing-in ceremony took place in the presence of the full court and members of the Bar, following their speedy appointments approved by the government.
Justice Viswanathan, who could become the 58th Chief Justice of India in August 2030, is the ninth lawyer directly elevated to the Supreme Court Bench. Justice Mishra previously served as the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Constitutional Provisions

Article 124(1) states that there shall be a Supreme Court of India consisting of a Chief Justice of India and, until Parliament by law prescribes a large number, of not more than seven other judges.
Article 124(2) states that every judge of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal after consultation with such number of the judges of Supreme Court and of the High Courts (in states).
The Parliament is competent to increase the number of judges if it deems necessary.