The Supreme Court of India has recently taken several significant steps to enhance judicial transparency and accountability:
1. Public Disclosure of Judges’ Asset Declarations
In a landmark move, all 33 sitting Supreme Court judges have agreed to publicly disclose their asset declarations. This decision, made during a full court meeting on April 1, 2025, marks a departure from the previous practice where such disclosures were voluntary. The asset details are now available on the Supreme Court's official website, with the remaining declarations to be uploaded as they are received .(Hindustan Times, opinionexpress.in)
2. Transparency in Judicial Appointments
The Supreme Court has also taken steps to make the judicial appointment process more transparent. On May 5, 2025, it released documents detailing the procedures for appointing judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts. Additionally, a tabular list containing details of proposals approved by the Collegium for High Court appointments between November 9, 2022, and May 5, 2025, was made public. This initiative aims to provide insight into the selection process and promote accountability .(The Hindu, Supreme Court Observer, opinionexpress.in)
3. Reinstatement of Minimum Practice Requirement for Entry-Level Judges
The Supreme Court has reinstated a rule requiring candidates for entry-level judicial positions, such as judicial magistrates and civil judges, to have a minimum of three years' experience as practising lawyers. This decision reverses a 2002 judgment that had eliminated the practice requirement, emphasizing the importance of practical legal experience before assuming judicial responsibilities .(The Economic Times)
4. Rejection of RTI Request on Judicial Inquiry Report
The Supreme Court declined a Right to Information (RTI) request seeking access to the in-house inquiry report related to allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma. The court cited considerations of fiduciary obligations and the need to protect individual privacy as reasons for the rejection. This decision underscores the limitations under the RTI Act when it comes to sensitive judicial matters .(The Times of India)
5. Advocacy for a More Democratic Judicial System
On his final working day as a Supreme Court judge, Justice Abhay S. Oka emphasized the need for reform in the functioning of the Supreme Court, advocating for a move away from a Chief Justice of India (CJI)-centric approach to foster a more democratic system. He commended the outgoing CJI Sanjiv Khanna for his efforts to enhance transparency in the court's processes and expressed optimism that the newly appointed CJI B R Gavai would continue this momentum towards greater inclusivity and democratic functioning within the judiciary .(The Times of India
These developments reflect the Supreme Court's ongoing efforts to promote transparency and accountability within the judiciary, aiming to bolster public confidence in the judicial system.

In several recent judgments, including Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India, the apex court emphasized
transparent judicial appointments and public interest in judicial accountability, while balancing the
independence of the judiciary under Articles 124-147