India's Court Backlog: 11.73 Lakh Cases Pending for Over 20 Years

Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that over 11.73 lakh court cases have been pending for more than 20 years across Indian courts. The data, sourced from the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) as of July 16, 2026, highlights a persistent challenge in the country's judicial system.

In a written reply, Meghwal stated that a total of 11,73,509 cases remain unresolved for over two decades. This includes cases in the Supreme Court, 25 High Courts, and all District and Subordinate Courts. Of these, 4,52,152 cases are pending in the Supreme Court and High Courts alone, with the Allahabad High Court in Uttar Pradesh recording the highest number at 1,61,598 cases.

The backlog raises concerns about access to timely justice, a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution. Experts point to factors such as insufficient judges, procedural delays, and a heavy caseload as contributing causes. The government has launched initiatives like e-courts and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, but the magnitude of pending cases underscores the need for sustained reforms.

Uttar Pradesh, with the largest population among Indian states, also tops the list of pending cases in subordinate courts. The data reveals that district courts account for the remaining 7,21,357 cases pending for over 20 years. The Minister's reply did not specify corrective measures but noted that the government is committed to reducing pendency through judicial infrastructure improvement and technology adoption.

This revelation comes amid ongoing debates on judicial transparency and efficiency. Civil society groups have called for faster case disposal and increased judicial appointments. The Supreme Court has also taken suo motu cognizance of the backlog issue in the past, directing High Courts to adopt time-bound disposal of older cases.