Parliament Monsoon Session: Bill to Increase Supreme Court Judges to Be Tabled in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha to Debate National Honour Law

The Monsoon Session of Parliament begins on Monday with a packed legislative agenda, including the introduction of a Bill in the Lok Sabha to expand the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges and a proposed amendment in the Rajya Sabha aimed at strengthening legal protections for the national song Vande Mataram. One of the key items before the Lok Sabha is The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which will be introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, replacing the recently issued ordinance that increases the approved number of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India.

Apart from legislative business, the Lower House will begin its proceedings by paying tribute to several former Members of Parliament and other prominent personalities who recently passed away. This will be followed by Question Hour, after which ministers will table official documents and reports before the House. Union Minister Suresh Gopi is also scheduled to present a statement on the governments progress in implementing recommendations made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas regarding litigation involving public sector oil companies.

The Lok Sabha is also expected to discuss a motion concerning the Joint Committee on Offices of Profit. The proposal seeks the election of two Rajya Sabha members to fill vacancies created following the retirement of former committee members. In the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to introduce a Bill proposing amendments to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The legislation aims to make any deliberate obstruction or insult to the national song Vande Mataram a punishable criminal offence.

The Upper House will also deliberate on motions related to parliamentary committees. One proposal seeks the election of a Rajya Sabha member to the Central Advisory Committee of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), while another recommends appointing Dr. Bhim Singh and Sagarika Ghose to the Joint Committee examining the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, along with the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, following vacancies created by retiring members.

Several official documents will also be placed before the Rajya Sabha, including statements on Bills passed during the previous session and copies of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, and the Income-Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. The Monsoon Session is expected to witness intense exchanges between the government and the Opposition. Opposition parties have indicated they will press for discussions on the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and the reported irregularities involving donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. AAP MP Sanjay Singh has submitted a notice under Rule 267 seeking an immediate discussion on the NEET-UG controversy, while Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala has filed a similar notice demanding debate over the alleged misappropriation of temple offerings in Ayodhya.

Scheduled to continue until August 13, the session is expected to feature several important legislative debates alongside political confrontations over key national issues. It will also mark the parliamentary debut of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a newly formed political party created after 20 former Trinamool Congress MPs joined forces and aligned themselves with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Ahead of the opening of the session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the media at Parliament House before proceedings formally begin.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.