SRINAGAR: More than 4.99 crore cases are pending in subordinate courts across India, while the Supreme Court has 92,755 pending cases and High Courts 64.67 lakh cases, according to data placed before the Lok Sabha. In Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, pending cases stood at 44,551 as on July 28, 2026, while 3,65,191 cases were pending in subordinate courts in Jammu & Kashmir.
The figures were provided by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
According to the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) data tabled in Parliament, the pendency in the High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh increased from 43,039 cases in 2025 to 44,551 cases as on July 28, 2026. The number had stood at 47,371 in 2021, declining over the next few years before registering a rise this year.
In Jammu Kashmir’s subordinate judiciary, pending cases increased from 3,45,785 in 2025 to 3,65,191 as on July 28, 2026. The corresponding figure was 2,16,245 in 2021, indicating a steady rise over the five-year period.
Nationally, the Supreme Court’s pendency rose from 92,101 cases in 2025 to 92,755 as on July 28, 2026. High Courts collectively reported 64,67,391 pending cases, up from 63,90,530 a year earlier, while subordinate courts recorded 4,99,16,653 pending cases, compared with 4,76,57,328 in 2025.
The Government said disposal of cases falls within the domain of the judiciary and depends on factors including the availability of judges, judicial officers and supporting staff, court infrastructure, complexity of cases, nature of evidence and cooperation of stakeholders.
The Centre informed Parliament that it has undertaken several measures to facilitate faster disposal of cases, including implementation of the e-Courts Mission Mode Project, strengthening court infrastructure, policy and legislative reforms to reduce litigation, implementation of the new criminal laws, establishment of Fast Track Special Courts, promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms and initiatives for human resource development in the judicial system.
The Government also said that pendency data for courts across the country, including district courts, is available on the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), from which district-wise case statistics can be accessed.
