Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has identified the massive backlog of cases in Indian courts as a sign of underlying structural issues within the judicial system. Speaking after being sworn in as the 53rd CJI on November 24, 2025, Justice Kant highlighted that addressing this pendency would be a top priority during his tenure, which extends until February 9, 2027.
The figures are indeed daunting. As of November 2025, there are over 53 million cases pending across all levels of Indian courts. This includes 4.8 crore cases in trial courts, 63.8 lakh in high courts, and over 90,000 in the Supreme Court. A significant number of these cases, over 180,000, have been pending for more than 30 years. The Supreme Court's own backlog has surpassed 90,000 cases, a historic high.
Justice Kant emphasized that simply addressing the symptoms of the backlog isn't enough; a comprehensive and scientific approach is needed to tackle the root causes. He pointed to infrastructural deficiencies as a major contributor, stressing the need for coordinated efforts between the government and the judiciary to ensure timely identification of land and resources for courts, equipping them with essential facilities, and expediting judicial infrastructure projects.
Several factors contribute to this extensive pendency. These include a low judge-to-population ratio compared to other countries, a large number of government-sponsored litigations, and procedural bottlenecks. Justice Kant plans to engage with High Courts and trial courts across the country to understand the specific challenges they face. He also intends to prioritize the resolution of long-pending cases, especially those involving constitutional questions that affect numerous related cases in lower courts. To this end, he plans to constitute Constitution Benches to address these fundamental legal issues.
Moreover, Justice Kant is a strong proponent of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, particularly mediation, to reduce the burden on the courts. He sees mediation as a "game changer" and intends to promote its use, including community mediation, to resolve disputes between state governments and between the central government and states. He also acknowledged the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in streamlining procedural processes but cautioned that litigants expect their cases to be adjudicated by judges.
The implications of such widespread pendency are far-reaching. It leads to delays in justice, prolonged suffering for victims, and disruptions to the deterrence effect of the legal system. It also carries significant socio-economic costs, impacting businesses, individuals, and government resources, and contributing to prison overcrowding. According to a 2018 Niti Aayog study, it would take over 324 years to clear the backlog at the then-current rate of disposal.
Justice Kant's focus on addressing the structural issues underlying case pendency signals a commitment to systemic reform. His multi-pronged approach, encompassing infrastructure improvements, promotion of ADR, and strategic use of Constitution Benches, offers a roadmap for tackling this complex challenge and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Indian judicial system.
