Question

How many judges are there in the Supreme Court?
A. 15 judges and 1 chief judge
B. 30 judges and 1 chief judge
C. 33 judges and 1 chief judge
D. 45 judges and 1 chief judge

Answer 1

Hint: The appointments of the Judges and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are made by the President. The judges are to retire when they attain the age of sixty-five years and after retirement, they cannot practice in any Court in India. The Constitution also empowers the President to appoint an acting Chief Justice from among the other judges of the Supreme Court, when the office of the Chief Justice is vacant or when the Chief Justice is unable to perform their duties.

Complete answer:
The Constitution of India when it was adopted in 1949 originally stated in Article 124 that the Supreme Court shall consist of the Chief Justice and not more than seven other judges, till Parliament by law prescribes a larger number.
Option A: is incorrect. The maximum number of judges in the Supreme Court was increased to 10 and 1 chief judge in 1956, 13 and 1 chief judge in 1960, 17 and 1 chief judge in 1978 and 25 and 1 chief judge in 1986.
Option B: is incorrect. In 2009, the maximum number of judges in the Supreme Court was increased to 30 and 1 chief judge.
Option C: is correct. In 2019, the maximum number of judges in the Supreme Court was increased to 33 and 1 chief judge.
Option D: is incorrect.
Hence, the correct answer is, ‘C. 33 judges and 1 chief judge’.


Note: The qualifications required to become a judge of the Supreme Court is mentioned in Article 124. Firstly, they must be citizens of India. Secondly, they should have at least five years of experience as a judge in any of the High Courts or should have been an advocate with at least ten years of practice at a High Court or in the opinion of the President an eminent jurist.