India, Nov. 10 -- India's judicial backlog has long been narrated through numbers - more than five crore pending cases, including nearly 95,000 before the Supreme Court alone. Even as the top court recorded a sharp reduction in pendency in August 2026, the numbers rose again in September. Across the system, new filings continue to offset or exceed disposals. The system is running faster, yet falling further behind. That paradox is structural.

Recent judicial interventions have grown sharper. In May 2026, the apex court, in Peela Pahan v. State of Jharkhand, issued binding directions requiring high courts to endeavour to pronounce reserved judgments within three months, with more promptness in matters involving personal liberty.

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