New Delhi – Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has implemented a new system to prioritize cases brought forth by individuals facing social, physical, or financial hardship. This initiative aims to ensure these petitions receive timely attention within the Supreme Court’s substantial caseload.
Prioritizing Vulnerable Litigants
The Supreme Court has established four distinct categories for prioritization: cases filed by individuals with disabilities and acid attack survivors, senior citizens over the age of 80, those living below the poverty line, and individuals utilizing legal aid services. These categories were created to address the challenge of these cases being overlooked amidst the approximately 800 cases listed for consideration each Monday and Friday.
A circular issued by the Supreme Court registry mandates that all new petitions clearly identify the relevant category to which they belong, accompanied by supporting documentation from a government authority. Pending cases will also be updated to reflect these classifications, facilitating prioritized listing.
Supreme Court Caseload and Global Comparison
The Supreme Court’s workload is significantly higher than that of other supreme courts. In 2025, the court resolved 65,403 of the 75,280 cases filed – a resolution rate of 87%. This contrasts sharply with the US Supreme Court, which accepts only 70-80 cases for argument annually. The UK Supreme Court, as of December 29th, had received just over 200 cases and issued approximately 50 judgments, while the Indian court delivered 1,400 lengthy judgments and numerous orders.
The Supreme Court saw three Chief Justices in 2025 – Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B.R. Gavai, and Surya Kant – and will not have a new Chief Justice until February 2027, when Justice Kant retires. 2027 is anticipated to see a record of four Chief Justices serving the court: Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, B.V. Nagarathna, and P.S. Narasimha.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of cases will be prioritized?
Cases filed by disabled people and acid attack survivors, senior citizens above 80 years, persons below the poverty line, and those using legal aid services will be prioritized.
How will the Supreme Court identify these cases?
All new petitions must clearly state the relevant category and include supporting documentation from a government authority. Pending cases will also be updated.
How does the Supreme Court’s caseload compare to other countries?
In 2025, the Supreme Court of India handled 75,280 cases, significantly more than the US Supreme Court (70-80 cases accepted for argument) and the UK Supreme Court (just over 200 cases received).
As the Supreme Court implements this new prioritization system, how might this impact the timeline for resolving other types of cases?
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