Lok Sabha Passes Supreme Court Judges Bill Amidst Opposition Protests

The Lok Sabha recently passed the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2023. This legislative action occurred amidst continuous protests by Opposition members regarding various issues. The bill aims to amend the salaries and conditions of service for Supreme Court judges, bringing their terms in line with current legal frameworks. It seeks to clarify aspects of their post-retirement benefits and allowances. The Opposition's protests, which have frequently disrupted parliamentary proceedings, focused on demands for a discussion on the Manipur situation, leading to the bill's passage without a formal debate.Exam Insights & GK Analysis: This news is important for competitive exams as it touches upon India's legislative process, the functioning of Parliament (Lok Sabha), and the judiciary (Supreme Court). Key facts for General Knowledge include: The Supreme Court of India was established on January 26, 1950. It is the highest judicial court and the final court of appeal under the Constitution of India. The Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice of India and, at present, a maximum of 33 other judges, making a total sanctioned strength of 34 judges. Judges are appointed by the President of India. The retirement age for Supreme Court judges is 65 years. Article 124 of the Indian Constitution deals with the establishment and constitution of the Supreme Court.