SCO Explains

In 2023, the Parliament enacted The CEC and Other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, codifying the law on the appointment of Election Commissioners.However, the Act was challenged in the Supreme Court by Congress Leader, Jaya Thakur on the ground that it violates the Court's judgement in Anoop Baranwal, making appointment to Election Commission dependent heavily on the executive.We explain the challenge in detail.Visit scobserver.in to know more!

Passed in March 2026 and brought into force in May, the Transgender Persons (Amendment) Act is currently under challenge at the Supreme Court. Petitioners contend that the amendment is contrary to the landmark judgement in NALSA v Union of India, 2014 which upheld the right to self-perception of gender identity.Things are moving fast with two hearings, a transfer petition and denial of interim relief. The Court is set to hear the matter today. Stay tuned for today's hearing report! Media credits: The Citizen, NDTV, Indian Express, The Hindu, CLPR, and Times of India

Nine-judge Benches are one of the largest formations that the Supreme Court can sit in—behind only 11 and 13-judge Benches. There have been 21 nine-judge Constitution Benches so far—all of which are known for setting precedent and decisively resolving questions of constitutional importance. Two nine-judge Benches heard matters of key importance this year alone. Visit scobserver.in to know more about nine-judge benches and their brief history. On the website, you will also find case backgrounds, hearing reports and comprehensive analysis of the two nine-judge Benches that heard the Industry and Sabarimala references this year.

The enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 has fundamentally changed the definition of gambling. The Act imposed a ban on online real money games, without distinguishing them on the basis of skill or chance. In May, the Supreme Court weighed in, clarifying that games of skill, when played with stakes, constituted gambling.Visit scobserver.in to get access to the full coverage on gambling law—how it was and as it stands today. 

The amount of time taken by each Counsel to present their case and argue in Court dictates judicial efficiency and management of cases.We at the Supreme Court Observer have analysed four notable cases – the definition of “industry” reference, the Sabarimala Review, the challenge to the abrogation of Article 370, and Plea for Marriage Equality – based on the time taken to argue.We have also analysed the 'definition of industry' case based on the number of words spoken by each judge on the bench to understand who they engaged with, when, and for how long.

Meet SCOLR — the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports. A database of significant Supreme Court judgements with concise summaries, assistive mindmaps, and citation features.We add five important judgements to the database of 350+ existing judgements every week.Visit scobserver.in for easy access to key judgements from the Supreme Court in a clean, readable format that makes your research faster and sharper.

With the Supreme Court on Partial Working Days this month, several defining matters from the first half of the year remain unfinished — with judgements reserved and larger benches yet to take shape.Here, we take a look at the notable proceedings so far.Look out for more mid-year reviews on insolvency, arbitration and more on scobserver.in

The Supreme Court's handling of the stray dog question has swung like a pendulum — from removal, to restraint, to something in between.On 19 May, the Supreme Court pronounced judgement in its suo motu case concerning stray dog management across the country.In this video, we map out the complete timeline of the stray-dog matter. Read the analyses of what the Court held on scobserver.in

The Registry of the Supreme Court of India has long been described, only half in jest, as a black hole. It is where cases go to wait their turn. As of May 2026, pendency in the top court has crossed 93,000 matters, and for most lawyers, listing still feels unpredictable.It is against this backdrop that the Court is now exploring use of artificial intelligence to manage the cause list.Read the complete analysis on scobserver.in

Ever wondered if a university employees can avail benefits of labour law as workers? How about employees at a hospital, an advocate’s chamber or a department of the Government of India?It all boils down to interpretation of one word: "Industry". In this video, we explain the history of a recent nine-judge Constitution Bench matter on definition of Industry.Find detailed reports of the 17 - 19 March hearings, a case background, and original documents including written submissions on our website www.scobserver.in!

The Collegium is a 5-member body of Supreme Court judges who recommend names for appointment to the top court. Despite it's importance, there is no public record of its membership, meetings or resolutions prior to 2017. To bridge this gap, we bring you the first publicly available dataset on Collegium membership in Supreme Court history. Access the complete data-set on scobserver.in and stay tuned for the upcoming parts to this series! Subscribe to our newsletter and follow SCO on WhatsApp and Telegram to stay up to date with the latest developments from the Supreme Court.

On 15 January 2026, the Supreme Court denied tax exemption to Tiger Global on a 2018 transaction amounting to 14,500 crore rupees. In this video we break down crucial facts of the case and key holdings of the Court. The complete analysis is now available on our website, but if you want timely updates on the Supreme Court, make sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter!

In this episode of SCO explains, we examine how the Court has drawn a principled line between protecting symbols from genuine insult and resisting the attempts to impose symbolic conformity.

On 2 December, the Supreme Court heard a habeas corpus petition alleging the disappearance of a family of 5 Rohingya persons. The petition challenged the deportation on grounds of procedure, not as a matter of sovereign policy.During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant observed that India cannot lay a red carpet for intruders and that we ought to focus on the poor among Indian citizens who lack certain privileges. This prompted a public letter. In this video, we summarise the events that followed.

The Supreme Court recently released a new Standard Operating Procedure that limits the length of written submissions and requires counsel to specify time required for oral arguments. In this video we draw from last week’s newsletter to explain what this procedure entails and why it’s likely to be opposed by arguing counsel.

We break down the Supreme Court's judgment in All India Judges Association v. Union of India. Delivered on 19 November by former CJI B.R. Gavai, the Court rejected all proposals for reservation .The Bench described the plea as driven more by “heartburn” than an enforceable legal right, noting that the material on record did not show any consistent imbalance or disadvantage to civil judges that could justify creating a separate class. It also noted the need for a uniform national model for determining seniority in higher judicial services, directing the adoption of a four-point annual roster for assigning seniority to all recruits within a year.

Since 1989, the All India Judges Association v. Union of India case has remained open before the Supreme Court under a continuing mandamus, allowing the Court to address issues concerning judicial services, especially recruitment and promotion. Many civil judges retire without ever reaching the rank of Principal District Judge, let alone being considered for elevation to the High Court.This was among the final Constitution Bench matters of former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai’s tenure. The judgement, delivered on 19 November 2025, settled key questions on how seniority in the District Judiciary should be determined. In this video, we summarise the key arguments in the case.

CJI Surya Kant takes charge of the Court facing a pendency crisis: over 90,000 pending cases. This backlog didn't happen suddenly. It defied past trends as monthly case filings (institutions) skyrocketed and disposals failed to keep pace, even with a full strength of judges. While CJI Surya Kant has acknowledged the pendency numbers, what is in store?

On 9 October, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court unanimously held that judicial officers with seven years of prior Bar experience are eligible for recruitment as District Judges. The Court directed all states and High Courts to amend service rules within three months. The 139-page Judgement held that Article 233 is a complete code and rejected the idea of a fixed quota for practising advocates. It clarified that eligibility will rest on a combined seven years of Bar and/or judicial experience, with a minimum age of 35 years.

The Court's decision to restore the Bhushan Steel takeover makes clear that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is a framework for revival, not destruction. We look at how the Review Bench acknowledged delays caused by external factors (like the ED and former promoters) and reaffirmed two core principles: the supremacy of the Committee of Creditors’ commercial wisdom and the narrowed locus of former promoters to stall the process

An unprecedented attack targeted CJI BR Gavai, when an advocate hurled a shoe at the Bench. While the Chief calls it a "forgotten chapter," we examine why the Contempt of Courts Act and legal precedent demand an institutional response, and what the lack of censure means for the Court's authority.

What is the nature of the Supreme Court's work and how do we make sense of the chaotic courtroom environment? What is the gap between judicial pronouncements and their real-world impact, and what is the role of a reporter in making complex legal intricacies accessible to the public?More answers to these questions in our episode! #SCO #SCObserver #SupremeCourtObserver #Judiciary #IndianJudiciary #SupremeCourtofIndia #LawNews #LegalUpdates #UPSC #

A Supreme Court decision from 2011 has become the central focus of the Vice Presidential elections in 2025. The reason: the Opposition's VP candidate was on the Supreme Court Bench that struck down the 'Salwa Judum' initiatives. Home Minister Amit Shah attacked the decision as having delayed the elimination of the "maoist" movement. We unpack the case and its ramifications!

Join us for an insightful conversation with Justice S. Muralidhar, Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India and former Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, as he discusses his latest work as editor and curator of “(In)Complete Justice? The Supreme Court at 75.”In this interview hosted by Gauri Kashyap for the Supreme Court Observer (SCO), Justice Muralidhar reflects on 75 years of the Supreme Court, drawing on essays contributed by judges, lawyers, scholars, and researchers. The discussion covers:Why it is important to study and document the Court’s functioning.The decline of Constitution Benches and its implications.The challenge of multiplicity of opinions and readability of judgments.The Court’s growing pendency crisis and inconsistencies in case admissions.How digitisation and data transparency, through tools like the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), are reshaping access to information.His experience curating voices and perspectives on the Court’s journey so far.This conversation offers a unique window into the Supreme Court’s evolving role in Indian democracy, its strengths, and the challenges it faces ahead.

As CJI B.R. Gavai completes half of his six-month tenure as Chief Justice of India, we look at the administrative actions and judicial decisions that have defined his term so far. With a few months left in his tenure as the 52nd CJI, what legacy will he leave behind?

On July 31, a Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai gave the Telangana Speaker three months to decide on the disqualification petitions of 10 MLAs. By stipulating a timeline for the Speaker to rule on defection petitions, the Court went beyond the ‘Shiv Sena verdict’. Could it have gone further?

When judges speak in court, their words can mean more than just legal pronouncements. In the age of livestreaming and live-tweeting, oral remarks are often pulled from the courtroom and thrust into the news cycle.But how seriously should we take these off-the-cuff comments? Do they reveal a judge's true mind, or are they simply a tool to test legal arguments?In this video, we delve into the recent observations made by Supreme Court judges, from Justice Dipankar Datta's "true Indian" remark to Chief Justice B.R. Gavai's "class of parasites" comment. We explore what these statements mean for judicial propriety, the role of media scrutiny and the future of courtroom proceedings.This analysis is based on our weekend newsletter by Senior Associate Editor V. Venkatesan.Read the full article here: https://www.scobserver.in/journal/off-the-cuff/

The Supreme Court has introduced reservations for SC and ST staff in its own ranks—15% for SCs and 7.5% for STs. The move brings the Court in line with the very constitutional principles it has long upheld for others. We summarise everything you need to know

Earlier this week, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from office, citing health concerns. Unlike the President’s office, there is no provision for an Acting Vice President in the Constitution. This raises some legal and procedural questions, especially since the VP’s office will remain vacant until a new one is elected. So what happens next? What does the law say? Why is a casual vacancy in the office of the VP treated differently from that of the President? We break down the constitutional considerations. Read the full story on scobserver.in!#SupremeCourtObserver #SCObserver #SCO #SupremeCourt #VicePresident #President #Constitution #IndianJudiciary #ConstitutionAssemblyDebates

The Supreme Court is back from its summer break—and it’s hit the ground running. In its first week back, the Court delivered over 50 judgments, tackling everything from corporate victimhood to marital privacy, child custody, death penalty sentencing, and inheritance rights for tribal women.This video breaks down the biggest legal developments from the first week after the Supreme Court’s summer break, including:🔹 A game-changing ruling on companies as victims in criminal law🔹 The admissibility of secretly recorded calls in matrimonial disputes🔹 A rare reversal in a custody case based on a child’s mental health🔹 Key death penalty commutations and what they reveal about judicial reasoning🔹 A strong affirmation of tribal women’s inheritance rights🔹 The ₹2.6 crore expense over tinted glass panels in the Court’s corridorsPlus, a milestone for us at Supreme Court Observer — we’ve published all SCO.LR Issues from January to July! That’s 130 key judgments, simplified for you.

On 10 July, the Supreme Court heard a batch of petitions challenging the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. As the Court adjourns the issue until the end of this month, we look at how the institution has dealt with cases concerning the elections and the ECI's independence. Read our newsletter and find out more!

Can state governments tax DTH providers? Is the transmission of signals to air channels a service or entertainment for the purpose of taxation? What did the Supreme Court say and how does it contribute to a struggling DTH market?

Can you request a narco-test (popularly called the truth serum test) in your defence in a criminal case? If yes, what are the guidelines to be followed? Recently, in Amlesh Kumar v State of Bihar, the top court clarified that while it was not an “indefeasible” right, the accused could request it at an “appropriate stage” of trial.

A case that dominated the news cycle during the Court’s Summer Session (April-June) was the challenge to the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025. Petitioners sought an interim stay on the legislation while the Union resisted it. We summarise the key arguments in the case.

The Supreme Court's logo is back to its monochrome design after a the new Chief Justice rolled back the revised logo launched to celebrate 75 years of the Supreme Court. Is the move an indication of a broader shift favouring continuity and rootedness over reinvention and experimentation? Watch and find out!

TRIGGER WARNING: RAPERecently, the Supreme Court spared a person convicted under The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) from a 20-year jail sentence. Our latest video tell you what happened and explains the Court's decision.

Last month, Justice B.R. Gavai took oath as India's 52nd CJI. His first week was already packed with challenges: a Presidential reference, 82,000+ pending cases, and the looming Justice Varma controversy.What's in store for the Supreme Court? Dive into our latest podcast for the full story!

Chief Justice B.R. Gavai’s early days set the tone for a happening term. In our latest video, break down the major developments, challenges and what lies ahead for India's 52nd Chief Justice.

On 30 May, Justices N.V. Anjaria, Vijay Bishnoi and A.S. Chandurkar took oath as judges of the Supreme Court. They were recommended by the Collegium led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai on 26 May. The Union notified their appointments on 29 May.These appointments increase representation from the High Courts of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Bombay.Who are they? Find out

A professor is facing jail for a Facebook post that praised the army and criticised hate, in light of the Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor.He was arrested for "endangering the country’s sovereignty, unity and integrity,” “promoting enmity between different groups, and “insulting the modesty of a woman.” The Supreme Court gave him interim bail—but restricted him from speaking about the topic and set up a Special Investigative Team (SIT) to "analyse his words."Why did the Court find the need to set up an SIT? What words did it find to be criminal? How important is it that we know what the Court's reasons are for taking such decisions?

How much criticism should the Court be able to withstand, before it begins to see it as speech that harms public perception on the dignity and authority of the Court?Through the comments made by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, we explore the Supreme Court's contempt jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court has been hearing cases concerning pollution in Delhi for decades now. But how much has its intervention moved the needle?Supreme Court Observer's newsletter and months of Court reporting tells a story of inaction, and weak enforcement.

In Bachan Singh (1980), the Supreme Court introduced the ‘rarest of rare cases’ standard for awarding the death penalty. But how do courts assess mitigating factors during sentencing? In this video, we explore the uneven application of these factors, from Bachan Singh to the recent Ramesh A. Naika judgement, where the Supreme Court overturned a death sentence.

Did you know that Cornelia Sorabji from India became the first woman to pass the Civil Law examinations at Oxford? Despite passing the Bar, she was not allowed to plead before the Allahabad High Court as the profession was restricted to men at the time. Over a century later, the representation of women in the legal profession continues to be the exception and not the norm. We explore this issue in our latest video this International Woman’s Day month.

Can a conviction stand on a single testimony? The Supreme Court recently reaffirmed that a prosecutrix's 'unshaken' testimony alone can secure a conviction, even without evidence of physical injury, if deemed wholly trustworthy. We summarise the key judgements where the Court has consistently upheld this principle, emphasising on credibility and confidence in the prosecutrix's statement. Watch now!

In our latest interview, Gautam Bhatia, author and advocate, sat down with Advay Vora, Assistant Editor, SCO to discuss his new book 'Indian Constitution: A Conversation with Power.' Bhatia spoke about the power dynamics between the Union and the states in a federal structure. He talked about how the Constitution as a whole has a centralising drift. He also shared some insights into his writing process and gave a little sneak peek about his upcoming work. Listen to the full interview now!

Supreme Court Observer in conversation with Justice Indira Banerjee, former Judge, Supreme Court of India. Justice Banerjee was at the Supreme Court between 2018 to 2022. In this interview she shares her views on women in the judiciary, challenges in clearing pendency and more.

On 28 February, a bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna reinstated two women civil judges whose employment was terminated by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The judgement emphasised the need to create a sensitive work environment for women to thrive in the judiciary. We summarise the case issue here.

In our last newsletter, we examined the Supreme Court’s intervention in the Ranveer Allahbadia case. While a Division Bench granted the YouTuber interim relief, it strongly criticised his “disgusting” comments and barred him from hosting new shows.Our latest video breaks down how these restrictions function as 'prior restraint' on free speech and impact Allahbadia’s right to practice his profession. Our analysis looks into a case where a judgement was delivered not too long ago, and dealt with similar issues at hand.

On 27 January, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and S.C. Sharma delivered a split verdict in Ramesh Baghel v State of Chattisgarh. The operative order in the split verdict had the strange consequence of preferring the judgement of one judge. We explore the decision in this video.