The Supreme Court of India is the final court of appeal and the guardian of the Constitution. It was inaugurated on 28 January 1950, two days after the Republic began, in the Chamber of Princes of Parliament House where the Federal Court had sat since 1937; it moved to its own building on Tilak Marg, New Delhi, in 1958. The Constitution first gave it a Chief Justice and seven judges; the sanctioned strength has been raised several times since.
Key facts
- Inaugurated 28 January 1950; the Federal Court had sat from 1937 to 1950 in the same chamber.
- Original strength: Chief Justice plus 7 judges; raised several times, to 34 in 2019. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Sat in the old Parliament House till 1958, then moved to Tilak Marg.
- Chief Justice of India: Surya Kant. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- On 6 October 2026 three High Court Chief Justices, Sunita Agarwal, Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Aparesh Kumar Singh, were sworn in as Supreme Court judges. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Why exams ask about it
Retirement age, the first CJI, the collegium, landmark judgments and the newest judges are asked every month.