On 6 February 2026, DMK Rajya Sabha MP and Senior Advocate P. Wilson introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing far-reaching constitutional reforms aimed at judicial diversity, reservation in promotions for backward classes, restructuring of the Supreme Court into regional benches, enhancement of the retirement age of High Court judges, and enabling caste-based census by States. The Bill seeks to embed social justice and representation more deeply into India’s constitutional framework.
Need:
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Recently, Parliament has extended the benefit of reservations to forward castes in the category of economically weaker sections. Due to absence of the aforesaid Constitutional mandate in promotions, the real oppressed and downtrodden are not brought into the mainstream till today. Mere entry into the service is not sufficient. Only when the OBCs are duly represented in promotional posts, a truly representative administration can be achieved, and real substantive equality is enabled.
Therefore it has been proposed that Article 16 of the Constitution of India must be further amended to grant reservations in promotional posts with consequential seniority for the backward classes of citizens which would result in true social justice as it would ensure adequate representation of the backward class of citizens in higher offices of the administration.
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The preamble of our Constitution envisions securing social justice for all. However, the current composition of the higher judiciary does not adequately reflect this diversity. The current trend in judicial appointments shows a low representation of socially marginalized groups and there is significant overrepresentation of certain sections.
A representative judiciary is pivotal for fostering public confidence in the judiciary’s ability to make sound and responsive decisions. When the judiciary includes Judges from all sections of society, it will instill greater confidence amongst the public. Further, a diverse judiciary is imperative to enhance the quality of judicial decisions. Judges bring their personal experiences and perspectives to the bench, influencing how they interpret and apply the law.
Main objects of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2026:
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To amend the Constitution of India to provide for social diversity in the appointment of Judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts, proportional to the population of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes and to bring transparency in judicial appointments in higher judiciary.
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To provide for reservation in judicial appointments, with an aim to promote social diversity which will help in improving the quality of judicial decisions, enhancing public confidence, bringing transparency to judicial appointments and upholding the constitutional values of equality and inclusivity.
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To divide the Supreme Court into one Constitution Bench at the capital, and 4 regional Benches.
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Increase the age of retirement of Judges of the High Court from 62 to 65 years.
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Placing the entry “Census” in the Concurrent List which would enable both the Union and the States to conduct their own census. The power to conduct a headcount by the States themselves will not only be useful for maintaining an accurate list of all classes including backward classes, and collect empirical data of communities on the basis of the local units and to grant reservations in local bodies, but also for other targeted welfare measures.
This will enable the States to implement appropriate affirmative and welfare measures for all castes and communities based upon their due entitlement and share. The States can then grant reservations in accordance with this data, which would be constitutionally and legally tenable and therefore avoid judicial intervention in the grant of reservations.
The Proposed Amendments:
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Amendment of Article 15 relating to “Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth”.
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Amendment of Article 16 relating to “Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment”.
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Amendment of Article 124 relating to “Establishment and constitution of Supreme Court”:
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the appointment of Judges to the Supreme Court shall be made by giving due representation to members of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, religious minorities and women, in proportion to their population in the country;
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Frame a Memorandum of Procedure for appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court in consultation with Chief Justice of India;
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Before appointing any Judge of the High Court as a Judge of the Supreme Court, the Central Government should consult the State Government;
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Central Government should either return or notify recommendations of the collegium within 60 days of receipt of the recommendation;
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Amendment of Article 130 relating to “Seat of the Supreme Court”:
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The Supreme Court should comprise a Constitution Bench sitting at New Delhi and 4 Permanent Regional Benches for northern, southern, eastern and western regions, which will sit at New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai respectively.
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Constitution Bench at New Delhi shall hear only cases which are of constitutional importance.
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The 4 Permanent Regional Benches of the Supreme Court shall exercise the full jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India, except over cases to be heard by the Constitution Bench.
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Territorial jurisdiction of the Permanent Regional Benches has also been proposed.
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The Chief Justice of India shall nominate Judges of the Supreme Court to sit at the Constitution Bench and the Permanent Regional Benches.
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Amendment in Article 217 relating to “Appointment and conditions of the office of a Judge of a High Court”.
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Amendment in Article 224 relating to “Appointment of additional and acting Judges”.
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Entry relating to “Census” to be removed from the Union List and included in the Concurrent List.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2026 signals an ambitious attempt to constitutionally entrench judicial diversity, social justice in public employment, and data-driven affirmative action, while also reopening long-standing debates on the structure of the Supreme Court and the scope of caste enumeration in India.