In a significant step toward streamlining the Indian judiciary, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Gavai has unveiled a series of judicial reforms aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in the Supreme Court's functioning. These include case backlog reduction, digitization, transparency in case listing, and improved accessibility for litigants.
Since assuming office earlier this month, CJI Gavai has made judicial efficiency a central theme of his tenure. Sources from the Supreme Court registry confirm that three key reforms have already been implemented or are in progress:
1. Transparent Listing of Cases
A new automated listing system has been rolled out to ensure that urgent matters and older cases receive timely hearing. The reforms aim to reduce arbitrariness in listing and empower advocates-on-record to track their case status in real-time.
“The objective is to balance judicial discretion with systemic predictability,” said a senior court official.
2. Special Benches for Long-Pending Cases
Special fast-track benches have been created to dispose of 20-year-old civil and criminal appeals, particularly those involving senior citizens or sensitive issues. This move comes in light of over 75,000 pending cases in the apex court, as of June 2025.
3. Digital Reforms and Hybrid Hearings
CJI Gavai has directed the expansion of e-filing services and video conferencing infrastructure, even for regular hearings. This is aimed at reducing travel and expense burdens on litigants from remote parts of the country.
Broader Vision
CJI Gavai’s reforms are being seen as a continuation of CJI D.Y. Chandrachud’s digital court mission, but with a sharper focus on efficiency, access to justice, and workload management.
Additionally, the Chief Justice has proposed consultations on introducing AI-based cause list optimization tools and has called for uniform guidelines across High Courts for case categorization.
The Bar has largely welcomed the reforms. Senior Advocate Indira Jaising commented, “Listing transparency has been a long-pending demand. CJI Gavai is showing intent to bridge institutional opacity.”
However, some critics warn that structural issues—like judicial vacancies and infrastructure gaps in lower courts—must also be addressed for sustained impact.
Conclusion
The judicial reforms led by CJI Sanjiv Gavai reflect an urgent administrative shift within the apex court. By emphasizing transparency, technology, and targeted case management, the Chief Justice hopes to restore public confidence in judicial timelines and deliver on the constitutional promise of “speedy justice.”
