The disposal of cases is within the exclusive domain of the judiciary.  In April, 2024, the Supreme Court Committee on "Model Case Flow Management Rules for Trial Courts, District Appellate Courts, High Courts and to suggest a plan for reduction of arrears in the High Courts and District Courts", prepared and shared an ‘Action Plan for Arrears Reduction in District Judiciary’ to dispose of old pending cases in time bound manner. The Action Plan inter-alia, indicated focusing upon prioritization of long- standing cases with special emphasis on cases pending for excessively long periods, such as over 10, 20 or 30 years; accelerating the progression of long standing and newer cases to finalization; equitable case distribution among judges; effective handling of unready and stayed cases; effective utilization of alternative dispute resolution; use of technology; managing undated cases for facilitating timely progression and resolution; adequate human resources support to Judicial Officers; regular monitoring of case progress and regular review meetings to assess effectiveness of action plan; stakeholder engagement to address procedural delays; and tailored strategies allowing for flexibility and adaptation of action plan to meet the specific circumstances of each district.

Further, the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) has been upgraded with an improved dashboard for functioning as a monitoring tool to identify, manage and reduce pendency of cases. It provides timely inputs for making policy decisions to reduce case pendency. It also facilitates better monitoring of court performance and identification of systemic bottlenecks for efficient resource management.

The Central Government is committed for speedy disposal of cases and reducing pendency as mandated under Article 21 of the Constitution and has taken several initiatives to provide an ecosystem for faster disposal of cases by the judiciary which includes, inter-alia,  amalgamation of latest technologies for increasing access to Justice and greater transparency under the e-Courts Mission Mode Project and supplementing of the resources of the State Governments/UTs for providing suitable infrastructure facilities for the District and Subordinate Judiciary under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary.

The 14th Finance Commission had recommended the setting up of 1800 Fast Track Courts (FTCs) during the period 2015-2020 for expeditious trial of specific categories of cases including heinous crimes, civil cases involving women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, individuals afflicted with terminal illnesses. As per information received from the High Courts, 866 FTCs are functional across 21 State/UTs as on 31.10.2025.

The Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) Courts are dedicated to the time-bound trial and disposal of pending cases related to rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. As per data provided by the High Courts, 773 FTSCs, including 400 exclusive POCSO Courts, are functional across 29 States/UTs as on 30.09.2025. Since the inception of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, these courts have collectively disposed of 3,50,685 cases, while 2,43,615 cases are currently pending.

Article 130 of the Constitution of India provides that the Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or in such other place or places as the Chief Justice of India may, with the approval of the President, from time to time, appoint. The proposal of setting up of Benches of a High Court is considered by the Government of India only after receipt of a complete proposal from the State Government which has to have the consent of the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court and the Governor the State. The State Government has to provide necessary infrastructural facilities for establishment of a Bench of the High Court away from its principal seat as well as the entire expenditure of the High Court and its Bench.  In case of District and Subordinate courts, the decision is taken by the State Government and the respective High Court.

Further, the Phase-III of the eCourts Project (2023-2027) approved on 13.09.2023 with an outlay of Rs.7,210 crore to make justice delivery progressively more robust, easy and accessible. Till date, 579.53 crores pages of court records have been digitized in the High Courts and District Courts. More than 3.81 crore hearings have taken place through Video conferencing and live streaming is functional in 11 High Courts. The number of e Sewa Kendras (facilitation centres) has increased to 1987 across High Courts and District Courts.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in Rajya Sabha today.

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Samrat

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