Judicial pendency

In the news

• CJI asks why litigants rush to the Supreme Court for early hearings in High Court cases 2 November 2026 · The Hindu

  If High Courts have wider writ powers, why are litigants going to Delhi just to get a hearing date?

• Justice Nagarathna: family disputes need mediation and adjudication working together 27 September 2026 · The Hindu

  Can mediation clear family court backlogs without weakening the rights of the weaker party?

• Supreme Court asks States to raise district judges' retirement age from 60 to 62 5 September 2026 · The Hindu

  With 5.18 crore cases pending in district courts, can two more years on the bench help?

Key facts

• CJI Surya Kant flagged a growing trend of litigants asking the Supreme Court to order early hearings in High Court cases. (2 November 2026)
• He said the Supreme Court respects High Courts' control over their rosters but listing must become transparent and predictable. (2 November 2026)
• The Family Courts Act, 1984 provides for family courts and, under Section 9, requires them to first make efforts to bring about a settlement between the parties. (27 September 2026)
• The Mediation Act, 2023 gives mediation a statutory framework and provides for pre-litigation mediation under Section 5. (27 September 2026)
• The Supreme Court's order of 1 September 2026 directs seven States to raise the retirement age of district judicial officers from 60 to 62, subject to a High Court suitability assessment at 60. (5 September 2026)
• The seven States are Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal; the rest got two weeks to reconsider. (5 September 2026)

Previous-year questions

1. 2024 · GS2 · 10 marks Explain and distinguish between Lok Adalats and Arbitration Tribunals. Whether they entertain civil as well as criminal cases?
2. 2023 · GS2 · 10 marks "Constitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a prerequisite of democracy". Comment.
3. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marks How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India.
4. 2014 · GS2 · 12.5 marks Starting from inventing the 'basic structure' doctrine, the judiciary has played a highly pro active role in ensuring that India develops into a thriving democracy. In light of the statement, evaluate the role played…
5. 2020 · Prelims In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens? 1. Person with an annual income of less than Rs 1,00,000 2. Transgender with an annual income of less than Rs…