Supreme Court Case Pendency Hits All-Time High of 88,417 Despite Full Judicial Strength
The pendency of cases in the Supreme Court of India has reached a record high of 88,417, despite the court functioning with its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges. Data from the National Judicial Data Grid shows that in August 2024, the filing of fresh cases (7,080) significantly surpassed the disposal rate (5,667), resulting in a disposal rate of 80.04%. The backlog includes 69,553 civil cases and 18,864 criminal matters. Efforts to reduce the case log, such as having more Benches work during the long summer recess, have not yet stemmed the rising tide of litigation.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court is currently operating at its maximum sanctioned judicial strength of 34 judges.
- The gap between case institution and disposal remains the primary driver of the increasing backlog.
- A significant portion of the pendency consists of civil cases, which account for nearly 70,000 of the total.
- The increase in pendency has been a persistent trend since the COVID-19 pandemic, despite various administrative interventions.
Exam Facts
- Total pending cases: 88,417.
- Sanctioned judicial strength: 34 judges.
- August 2024 disposal rate: 80.04%.
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