Rising pendency of cases in Indian Courts has started making headlines, cusing several complexities including compounding of suffering of litigants and accused lodged in Indian jails, excessive overcrowding of Indian Jails, inordinate delay in meting out Justice to the innocent, etc.
However, the Central Government owing to unwavering commitment towards speedy disposal of cases and reducing pendency as mandated under Article 21 of the Constitution has initiated several measures over the years to provide an ecosystem for faster disposal of cases like setting up of National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms in August, 2011 with twin objectives of increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system besides enhancing accountability through structural changes through setting performance standards and capacities.
For example, number of court halls had increased from 15,818 as on June 30, 2014 to 22,062 on February 28, 2025 besides the count of residential units had also increased from 10,211 to 19,775 between the same period.
Further, under e-Courts Mission Mode Project, a significant 18,735 District and Subordinate Courts were computerized till 2023 besides WAN connectivity had been provided to 99.5% of court complexes. Video conferencing facility has also been enabled between 3,240 court complexes and 1,272 corresponding jails.
1572 eSewa Kendras in District Courts, 39 eSewa Kendras in High Courts
As on January 31, 2025, a total of 1572 eSewa Kendras in District Courts and 39 eSewa Kendras in High Courts had been made functional to bridge the digital divide by providing citizen centric services to lawyers and litigants. Also, 28 virtual courts had been set up in 21 States/UTs. Records revealed, as on January 31, 2025, these courts had successfully handled over 6.66 crore cases and realized more than Rs. 714.99 crores in fines.
As per minister of state (Independent Charge), Ministry of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, as on February 28, 2025, Rs 11,886.29 crores had been released since the inception of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary in 1993-94.
Artificial Intelligence, Block Chain to boost justice delivery system
The cabinet, as on September 13, 2023, had approved Phase-III of eCourts Project with an budgetary outlay of Rs 7,210 crore which aims to enhance ease of justice though digital, online and paperless courts. The initiative intends to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI), Block Chain, etc. to make justice delivery more robust, easy and accessible to all stakeholders.
Filling in vacancies of Judges
Official reports revealed between May 01, 2014 to March 20, 2025, a total of 67 Judges were appointed in the Supreme Court while1030 new Judges were appointed and 791 Additional Judges were made permanent in the High Courts of the country during the same period. Also the sanctioned strength of Judges of the High Courts had been increased from 906 in May, 2014 to 1122 till 2025.
Sanctioned & Working strength of judicial officers in District, Subordinate Courts
| Date | Santioned | Working |
| 31.12.2013 | 19,518 | 15,115 |
| 28.02.2025 | 25,786 | 20,511 |
Source: MIS Portal of the Department of Justice
Arrears Committees
In pursuance of a Resolution passed in Chief Justices’ Conference held in April, 2015, Arrears Committees had been set up in all 25 High Courts to clear cases pending for more than five years. Arrears Committees has also been set up under District Courts as well.
