PolityGovernance
News 13 of 19

SC's 76-Year Journey: Reforms at Magistracy Level Needed for Judicial Overhaul

PolitySocial IssuesHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims MediumMains HighStatic GK Link
26 Sept 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Supreme Court established January 28, 1950Constitution came into force January 26, 1950NALSA judgment (2014)Places of Worship Act, 1991
Bodies:Supreme Court of IndiaHigh Court
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Article critiques Indian judiciary for failing marginalised groups, citing eviction of poor, 'bulldozer therapy', and delay in upholding NALSA and Jane Kaushik judgments.

2.Reforms must begin at the magisterial level, which is the 'front office' of the judiciary, with better mentoring and mental health support for young judicial officers.

3.Performance evaluation (ACR) overemphasises case disposal 'units' over quality, leading to frustration, burnout, and suicides among judicial officers.

The Big Picture
Prelims · MediumMains · High

A former Delhi High Court judge critiques the Indian judiciary's performance over 76 years, highlighting issues like eviction of poor without rehabilitation, failure to curb extra-legal punishments, and delay in upholding progressive judgments. The article argues that meaningful judicial reform must begin at the magisterial level, focusing on mentoring, mental health support, and performance evaluation reforms.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Supreme Court Birth DateJanuary 28, 1950
Constitution Came Into ForceJanuary 26, 1950
Key Judgments MentionedNALSA (2014), Jane Kaushik
Performance MetricAnnual Confidential Reports (ACR)
Proposed Reform EntityMagistracy (Front Office of Judiciary)
Supreme Court MottoYato Dharamstato Jayah

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Supreme Court Birth Date: January 28, 1950
  • ›Constitution Came Into Force: January 26, 1950
  • ›Target this Data: Supreme Court established on January 28, 1950 (2 days after Constitution came into force on Jan 26, 1950)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Supreme Court of India (Article 124)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: NALSA (2014) judgment on transgender rights; Places of Worship Act, 1991

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which constitutional article establishes the Supreme Court of India?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Indian judiciary as discussed in the article:

1. The Supreme Court began functioning on January 28, 1950, two days after the Constitution came into force.

2. The article suggests that reforms should begin at the High Court level to address the judge-to-population ratio.

3. The ACR system for judicial officers overemphasises the number of case disposals over the quality of judgments.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, on which date did the Indian Supreme Court come into existence?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary reason the article identifies for the need to reform the magisterial level first?

All 20 MCQs ▸
Read original article from Indian Express
You finished this topic
Practice 3 MCQs from this newsNext Article
Explore Related Topics
PolityView Topic MCQs →Social IssuesView Topic MCQs →
PreviousECI Allocates Symbols Under Symbols Order 1968: TMC Split Triggers Para 15 Dispute ResolutionNext Railway Line Reaches Chhattisgarh's Rowghat: 17.5-km Taroki-Rowghat Section Completed Under Dallirajhara-Rowghat Project
Related Current Affairs
Polity Current Affairs

SC Proposes Exempting Current Class 6 from Three-Language Policy; Centre Seeks More Time

The Supreme Court has proposed exempting the current Class 6 batch from the mandatory three-language policy, suggesting implementation from January 1, 2027. The Centre has sought more time to decide, while the court has asked for details on teacher availability and infrastructure.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Seeks Replies on NRC ID Cards: 3.11 Crore Await Documents, 19 Lakh Excluded

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and Assam government to respond to pleas seeking issuance of identity cards to 3.11 crore people included in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) 2019, while another 19 lakh excluded persons await the appeal process. This case is critical for exam aspirants as it tests knowledge of the Citizenship Act, NRC process, and Assam Accord provisions.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Proposes Special Courts for CBI & NIA Cases on Manipur Ethnic Violence; 891 Witnesses Yet to Testify

The Supreme Court has proposed setting up exclusive Special Courts to hear cases related to the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence investigated by the CBI and NIA, highlighting the slow pace of trials. With 891 out of 904 witnesses yet to be examined and serious charges including sexual violence, this move aims to expedite justice. For exam aspirants, this links to judicial administration, Article 14 (speedy trial), and the role of special courts under the NIA Act.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Forms HPEC Led by Justice R Subhash Reddy to Probe Police Excesses During NEET Protests

The Supreme Court has constituted a High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC), led by former SC judge Justice R Subhash Reddy, to investigate the alleged disproportionate use of force by police against protesters at Jantar Mantar and other locations during the NEET-UG paper leak protests. The panel will examine 12 critical issues including use of pellet guns, targeting of female protesters, and the misuse of legal provisions like Section 163 BNSS and Section 152 BNS.

Polity Current Affairs

Election Commission's SIR Deletes 13 Crore Names from Draft Rolls; Raises Questions on Population & Voting Rights

The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has led to the deletion of 13 crore names from draft rolls, including nearly one-third of Delhi's electorate. This article by a former Chief Election Commissioner uses satire to highlight the absurdity of treating electoral roll deletions as a solution to India's population problem, while drawing parallels with the Assam NRC and warning of potential disenfranchisement of eligible citizens.

Polity Current Affairs

CBSE Mandates Three Languages Including Two Native Indian Languages for Class 9 from July 2026

The Centre informed the Supreme Court it is working on implementing the CBSE's three-language policy, making two native Indian languages compulsory for Class 9 from July 2026. The policy aligns with NEP 2020, but faces challenges over implementation timelines and infrastructure, with the SC seeking a balanced solution.

Polity Current Affairs

Uttarakhand Seals 20 Madrasas Under New Minority Education Act; USAME Replaces Madrasa Board

Uttarakhand has sealed 20 unrecognised madrasas under a new regulatory framework that replaced its statutory Madrasa Board with the Uttarakhand State Authority for Minority Education (USAME). The move, backed by a 2024 Supreme Court ruling upholding state regulation of minority institutions while protecting Article 30 rights, signals a shift toward standardised education in minority-run schools. Aspirants must connect this to Article 21A, RTE Act, and the ongoing debate between minority autonomy and state regulation.

Polity Current Affairs

Health Ministry Backs Same-Sex Partners' Medical Decision Rights Under Mental Healthcare Act, 2017

The Union Health Ministry has told the Delhi High Court that excluding same-sex partners from making medical decisions for each other solely based on sexual orientation is unethical. This marks a significant administrative shift, though the government maintains that 'spouse' under Indian marriage laws only applies to heterosexual couples, creating a nuanced legal landscape for exam aspirants.

Start Today's Quiz(20 Qs)