A majority of the SC’s time in 2021 was spent disposing of cases that did not involve a substantial question of law.

Limited functioning of the Court during the pandemic has affected the number of cases instituted before the SC in 2020 and 2021

This post analyses changes in the pendency of matters before Constitution Benches of the Supreme Court from January 2019 to December 2021. 

We discuss the changes in pendency before Constitution Benches of the Supreme Court in 2021. 

The Supreme Court and the Union Government reached an impasse over the subject of appointment and service conditions of tribunal members.

In State of Goa v Fouziya Imtiaz Sheikh the Court emphasised that an independent Election Commission is key to India’s democracy.

In 2021, the Supreme Court issued three important judgments on substantive equality. 

Apart from 2017, the total number of pending cases at the SC increased every year from January to December.

Pendency of cases at the SC has increased in 2021 by 7.3%. Currently 69,555 cases are pending.

Today the Supreme Court begins its last week of hearings for the year, before closing for a 2 week long winter vacation on December 20th.

The Court’s Monsoon Session was dominated by cases related to tribunals and reservations. Several constitutional cases remain pending.

In August nine judges were appointed to the Supreme Court. Hearings also began in the Pegasus case. Justices Nariman and Sinha retired.