New Delhi: In a landmark move to ensure quicker access to justice, the Supreme Court of India has introduced a new system granting priority hearings for certain vulnerable groups. Petitions filed by senior citizens aged 80 and above, persons with disabilities, below-poverty-line (BPL) cardholders, and those availing free legal aid will now receive expedited consideration.
Four Priority Categories Established
Chief Justice Suryakant has formalized the system by creating four priority categories to streamline the hearing of urgent and sensitive cases. The new arrangement aims to prevent such matters from being overlooked amid the large volume of cases, particularly on Mondays and Fridays, when the court handles nearly 800 petitions across 16 benches.
According to a registry circular, lawyers, self-represented litigants, and all stakeholders are required to indicate the category of the petition at the time of filing and submit supporting official documentation. This ensures that the registry can appropriately prioritize cases for faster judicial review.
India’s Supreme Court Handles Massive Caseloads
India’s Supreme Court deals with an exceptionally high number of cases compared to other nations. In 2025, 75,280 cases were filed—51,357 civil and 23,923 criminal. Of these, 65,403 cases (87%) were disposed of, including 42,793 civil and 22,610 criminal matters.
By contrast, the U.S. Supreme Court receives thousands of filings annually but accepts only 70–80 cases for hearings, while the UK Supreme Court received slightly over 200 petitions in 2025, hearing around 50 cases. India’s apex court also delivered over 1,400 detailed judgments along with thousands of other case disposal orders, reflecting its immense judicial workload.
This new priority system marks a significant step toward ensuring timely justice for the most vulnerable sections of society, reducing delays, and improving access to the country’s highest court.
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