GS2 · Polity13 Jul 2026 · Indian Express — Explained
With 4 new benches, how the Supreme Court plans to clear its oldest pending cases
With 4 new benches, how the Supreme Court plans to clear its oldest pending cases. (See the linked source for details.)
Quick Revision
Prelims-testable facts
- 01The Supreme Court has constituted four special benches to exclusively hear its oldest pending civil and criminal cases.
- 02The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has formed these special benches as part of a major administrative reform aimed at reducing the judicial backlog.
- 03The Supreme Court is struggling with a pendency of 93,000 cases.
- 04These special benches will focus on expediting the clearance of old cases and reaffirming public confidence in the justice delivery system.
- 05The new roster notification effective from 13 July 2026 assigns these special benches to hear the oldest pending civil and criminal matters.
- 06Chief Justice of India Surya Kant is targeting the mounting judicial backlog through structured docket management.
Trap alerts
- Most people think the Supreme Court has only one special bench, but actually it has four dedicated benches to exclusively hear old cases.
- Most people think the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant's reform aims only at reducing pendency, but actually it also aims to reaffirm public confidence in the justice delivery system.
Current-affairs link
The Supreme Court's efforts to clear its oldest pending cases are related to its ongoing struggle with a judicial backlog, which has been a concern for many years and is a topic of ongoing discussion among legal experts and policymakers.
Mains Practice Question
Critically examine the strategies employed by the Supreme Court to manage its backlog of pending cases and their implications for judicial efficiency.
250 words
Practice this in the exam hall →Prelims Practice MCQs
Single facteasy
How many new benches are being added to the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court is planning to add 4 new benches to clear its oldest pending cases, a significant move towards judicial efficiency.
Single factmedium
What is the approximate number of years that the oldest pending cases in the Supreme Court have been pending?
- A.10-15 years
- B.20-25 years
- C.30-35 years
- D.40-45 years
The oldest pending cases in the Supreme Court have been pending for approximately 20-25 years, highlighting the need for efficient case management.
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