Parliament – Monsoon Session Opens With Key Judicial and Legislative Agenda
Parliament –The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on Monday with a packed legislative agenda, setting the stage for discussions on judicial reforms, pending government business and several politically significant issues expected to be raised by both the Treasury and Opposition benches.
The Lok Sabha is scheduled to begin proceedings with obituary references in memory of several former Members of Parliament and other distinguished personalities before moving to Question Hour and the day’s legislative business. Among the key items listed is the introduction of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to increase the sanctioned strength of judges in the country’s highest court.
Bill Seeks to Expand Supreme Court Bench
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will introduce the proposed legislation aimed at amending the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. If passed, the Bill will replace the ordinance issued earlier by the Centre to raise the number of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. The government has maintained that the move is intended to strengthen judicial capacity and improve the disposal of pending cases.
Alongside the Bill, members of the Lok Sabha will also consider a motion related to the Joint Committee on Offices of Profit. The proposal, to be moved by BJP MPs Eatala Rajender and Ajay Bhatt, recommends that the Rajya Sabha elect two members through proportional representation using the single transferable vote system to fill vacancies created after the retirement of NR Elango and Deepak Prakash.
Routine Business and Ministerial Statement
Following Question Hour, several ministers are scheduled to table official documents before the House. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Pankaj Chaudhary, and Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh will lay papers on the Table of the House.
Later in the day, Union Minister Suresh Gopi will present a statement outlining the government’s progress in implementing recommendations made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas concerning litigation involving public sector oil companies. The Lok Sabha is also expected to take up Matters under Rule 377 before concluding the day’s proceedings.
Rajya Sabha to Consider National Honour Amendment
In the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to introduce legislation proposing amendments to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The proposed changes seek to make deliberate obstruction or insult to the national song Vande Mataram a punishable offence under law.
The Upper House will also deliberate on the election of one member to the Central Advisory Committee of the National Cadet Corps, as proposed by Union Minister Sanjay Seth. Another motion, to be moved by Minister of State L Murugan, seeks the appointment of Dr Bhim Singh and Sagarika Ghose to a Joint Committee examining the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, replacing members who have since retired.
Opposition Prepares to Raise Major Issues
The Monsoon Session is also expected to witness sharp exchanges between the government and Opposition over a range of issues. The Opposition has indicated that it intends to seek discussions on the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and reported irregularities involving donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh has submitted a notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha seeking suspension of listed business to discuss the examination paper leak. Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala has also filed a notice requesting a debate on allegations concerning the handling of temple offerings.
Session Scheduled Until August 13
The Monsoon Session will continue until August 13 and is expected to feature extensive debates on legislation as well as issues raised by Opposition parties. This session will also mark the parliamentary entry of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a political formation created after 20 former Trinamool Congress MPs merged their faction and extended support to the National Democratic Alliance.
Ahead of the commencement of proceedings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the media at Parliament House, outlining the government’s priorities for the session and expressing hope for productive discussions in both Houses.