Five crore Indians wait when the courts take a break
The Supreme Court’s long summer recess has renewed criticism of staggered bench functioning amid a large case backlog.
- A government study reportedly estimated that clearing the backlog at the current pace could take centuries.
- The Mediation Act, 2023 encourages pre-court settlement through mediation.
- Lok Adalats have settled large volumes of disputes and remain an important alternative dispute-resolution mechanism.
The Supreme Court of India’s long summer recess and staggered vacation bench system have come under criticism for keeping litigants waiting and slowing relief in urgent matters. The long break links directly to judicial pendency, undertrial detention, and access to justice.
From 1 June to 12 July, the Supreme Court of India sits with only a few Benches each week before normal operations resume. Urgent matters can still be heard, but the Court functions at a reduced pace for a long stretch.
The renaming of the vacation period as “partial court working days” has not altered the practical number of sitting days. The Supreme Court of India still operates with a much lighter schedule during the vacation period.
UPSC may ask how court scheduling affects the right to speedy justice, judicial pendency, and the reform of dispute-resolution systems. The issue also links institutional capacity with undertrial rights and the design of staggered judicial work patterns.
Related dispatches
