The Union Cabinet on Thursday agreed to increase the strength of the Supreme Court of India from 25 to 30.

This has been a long standing demand so that the number of pending cases can be brought down substantially.

"The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal for introduction of the bill in Parliament by making an amendment of the Supreme Court (number of judges) Act, 1956, for increase in the number of judges to augment the strength of the Supreme Court judges, excluding Chief Justice of India, from 25-30," a release said.

The increase in the number of judges will allow Supreme Court to function more efficiently and effictively towards attaining the ultimate goal of of rendering speedy jusstice to the litigants.