July 2026: Pendency increases after partial break

Pendency in the Supreme Court remained above the 95,000-mark by the end of July 2026. As on 1 August 2026, the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) recorded 95,718 pending cases, an increase of 1404 cases over the 94,314 pending at the close of June.

This was the second consecutive month in which the Court’s backlog grew. Institution and disposal figures, updated on 5 August 2026, show that although disposal rates improved after the Partial Court Working Days (PCWD), fresh filings continued to exceed disposals.

Pendency since January 2026

Figure 1 tracks the Court’s pendency from January to July 2026.

The year began with 92,828 pending cases. Pendency declined in February before increasing in March. The caseload was reduced in April and May. The trend reversed over the following two months.

An increase in June was expected because the Court functioned with fewer Benches during the PCWDs. July also saw eight days of PCWDs before resuming  its regular schedule on 13 July 2026.

July pendency since 2020

Figure 2 compares pendency during the month of July since 2020.

The Supreme Court ended July 2026 with 95,718 pending cases, compared to 87,115 at the close of July 2025. The Court’s pending caseload has generally increased over the past six years, rising from 61,338 cases in July 2020.

The sharp increase between 2020 and 2021 coincided with the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, pendency has continued to rise year after year. July 2026 records the highest pendency for the month since 2020.

Constitution Bench pendency

Figure 3 shows the pending Constitution Bench matters as on 1 August 2026.

As on 1 August 2026, there were 22 five-judge Bench matters, five seven-judge Bench matters and two nine-judge Bench matters pending before the Supreme Court. Judgement remains reserved in two pending nine judge Bench matters: Definition of Industry and the Sabarimala Reference.

7,440 cases instituted, 6,303 disposed

Figure 4 shows the total number of cases instituted (filed) and disposed of by the Court during the first seven months of 2026.

Following the PCWDs, disposals recovered in July as the Court resumed its regular sitting schedule. During the month, the Court disposed of 6303 cases, compared to 1514 in June. Institutions also increased, rising from 4149 in June to 7440 in July.

Disposals have surpassed institutions only three times this year—February, April and May. Pendency declined during those months. In March, June and July, however, fresh institutions exceeded disposals, resulting in an increase in the Court’s backlog. When more cases are instituted than disposed of, the Court receives new matters faster than it is able to clear them, contributing to a rise in overall pendency.