Question

Originally Supreme Court consisted of a Chief Justice and:

• A. Seven other judges
• B. Twelve other judges
• C. Thirteen other judges
• D. Fifteen other judges

Hint:

Keep in mind the subtle difference in phrasing: The original strength was 7 other judges, making the *total* strength 8. Always read carefully to see if the question asks for "other judges" or "total judges including the CJI".

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: The constitutional framework for the composition of the Supreme Court of India is outlined under Article 124(1). The text delegates the authority to determine and alter the maximum number of judges serving on the Supreme Court directly to the Parliament of India via legislative enactments.

Step 1: Reviewing the historical provisions of Article 124(1).
When the Constitution of India was adopted and enacted, Article 124(1) prescribed a specific baseline capacity: > "There shall be a Supreme Court of India consisting of a Chief Justice of India and, until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number, of not more than seven other Judges." Thus, when the Supreme Court was formally inaugurated on January 28, 1950, its full constitutional strength was fixed at a total of 8 judges ($1 \text{ Chief Justice} + 7 \text{ other judges}$).

Step 2: Tracking the subsequent expansions by Parliament.
To manage growing caseloads over the decades, Parliament periodically enacted the *Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Acts*: * 1956: Increased to 10 other judges. * 1960: Increased to 13 other judges. * 1977: Increased to 17 other judges. * 1986: Increased to 25 other judges. * 2009: Increased to 30 other judges. * 2019: Increased to 33 other judges. Since the question asks specifically for the *original* baseline capacity set at the inception of the Constitution, the correct composition is a Chief Justice and seven other judges.