Question

At present, the total number of judges in the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is ___________.
A. 25
B. 30
C. 34
D. 21

Answer 1

Hint: The Supreme Court of India is the guardian of fundamental rights. If a government tries to curtail them, a citizen can move the court against it. The court can declare a law as illegal if it infringes the fundamental rights of citizens.

Complete Step by Step answer:
The original Constitution provided for one Chief Justice and seven other judges. Parliament enjoys the power to increase the number of judges. At present, the Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice and 29 other Judges. So, the total number of judges in the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is 30 and the maximum possible strength is 34. With an increase in cases and a huge backlog of cases in the apex court, the government recently has increased the strength of judges of the apex court from 31 to 34.

The Chief Justice of India is appointed by the President in consultation with such judges of the Supreme Court and High Court as he may deem fit. In the appointment of other judges of the Supreme Court, the President of India must consult with the Chief Justice of India. Widening the scope of the consultation process, the Supreme Court said with regard to the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice should consult a collegium of four senior-most Judges of the Supreme Court and made it clear that even if two judges have given an adverse opinion, the Chief Justice should not send the recommendations. The Judges of the Supreme Court hold office till they complete the age of 65 years.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: The Chief Justice of India and other judges have to take an oath of allegiance before assuming their offices before the President or any other official appointed by him. A Judge of the Supreme Court can be removed from office by the President after an address by each House of Parliament, on the grounds of proved misbehaviour and incapacity.