Indian Courts
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law. The Indian Judiciary administers a common law system in which customs, securities and legislation, all codify the law of the land. The Judicial system of India is classified into three hierarchies:.
- The Supreme Court of India - Also known as the Apex Court, it is the top and the Chief Justice of India is the top authority & last appellate court in India. Judges of Supreme Court are appointed by President of India on the recommendation of Collegium.
- High Courts - They are the top judicial authority in states controlled and managed by Chief Justice of States with similar power as of SC at some extent. Judges of High Courts are appointed by President of India on the recommendation of Collegium.
- District Courts - Also known as subordinate courts, they are controlled and managed by District & Session Judge under the full supervision and direction of High Court. District judges are appointed through respective state public commission service or by High Court.
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law. The Indian Judiciary administers a common law system in which customs, securities and legislation, all codify the law of the land. The Judicial system of India is classified into three hierarchies:.
- The Supreme Court of India - Also known as the Apex Court, it is the top and the Chief Justice of India is the top authority & last appellate court in India. Judges of Supreme Court are appointed by President of India on the recommendation of Collegium.
- High Courts - They are the top judicial authority in states controlled and managed by Chief Justice of States with similar power as of SC at some extent. Judges of High Courts are appointed by President of India on the recommendation of Collegium.
- District Courts - Also known as subordinate courts, they are controlled and managed by District & Session Judge under the full supervision and direction of High Court. District judges are appointed through respective state public commission service or by High Court.
SUBJECT Variables
NEW CASES FILED
- A total of 27.2 million new cases were registered in all Indian courts in 2022, 48.3% higher than in 2021. Of these, 92.5% of these were registered in the District courts, 7.4% in High Courts, and only 0.1% in the Supreme Courts.
CASE PENDENCY (BACKLOG)
Pendency of cases refers to the build-up/backlog of cases in the court.
- As of 30 Jun '22, there was an all-time high pendency (backlog) of 48 million cases pending in the various courts in India. Of these, 88.5% are in the District Courts and 11.3% in the High Courts.
- An increase in the pendency of cases coupled with a shortfall in the availability of judges is resulting in the increase of undertrials (prisoners awaiting trial in courts). As of 2020, there were 372K undertrials in Indian prisons. 29% of undertrials have been in prison for over a year awaiting their hearing. Read here to know more.
- 10.8% of the cases registered in courts in India in 2022 were undisposed (i.e. either not taken up for hearing or judgment not reached) in the same year, thereby adding significantly to the case backlog each year.
- The percentage of cases registered but undisposed in the same year has risen significantly since 2017. In the case of District Courts, the rise has been the steepest - from 1.7% in 2017 to 10.9% in 2022.
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