For Prelims: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Mediation, Full form of NALSA, Full form of ADR, Nodal body, Mediation cases 2025-26, Mediation cases 2024-25
For Mains: Alternative Dispute Resolution, case backlog, NALSA, Mediation Act 2023, judicial efficiency
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Mediation cases in India more than doubled to 2,25,647 in 2025-26.
- The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) released the report.
- Rajasthan resolved the highest mediation cases at 41,823.
- Current CJI Surya Kant advocates for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
- ADR includes mediation, arbitration, and conciliation.
Why in the news?
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) reported that mediation cases in India more than doubled in 2025-26, with over 2.25 lakh disputes resolved through alternative dispute resolution (ADR), compared to less than 1 lakh in 2024-25. This surge is attributed to the Supreme Court's consistent push for ADR methods to reduce the massive backlog of court cases.
Summary
- Mediation cases in India rose from 98,406 in 2024-25 to 2,25,647 in 2025-26, a 129% increase.
- The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) released the report showing the trend.
- Rajasthan resolved the highest number of cases (41,823), followed by Kerala (33,851), Maharashtra (29,212), Uttar Pradesh (20,933), and Madhya Pradesh (18,143).
- The last three Chief Justices of India (CJI Surya Kant, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice B.R. Gavai) have advocated for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Highlights
Mediation Cases Double
Mediation cases in India surged to 2.25 lakh in 2025-26, more than double the previous year's 98,406 cases.
Rajasthan Leads in Mediation
Rajasthan resolved the highest number of cases (41,823) through mediation, followed by Kerala and Maharashtra.
Supreme Court's Push for ADR
The last three Chief Justices of India have consistently advocated for Alternative Dispute Resolution to reduce case backlog.
Background
Indian courts face a massive backlog of pending cases. To address this, the judiciary has been promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms like mediation, arbitration, and conciliation. The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 established the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to provide free legal services to eligible persons and organize Lok Adalats. The Supreme Court has encouraged litigants and courts to explore mediation and other ADR methods before trial.
Key Analysis and Impact
The doubling of mediation cases in 2025-26 from 98,406 to 2,25,647 demonstrates a significant shift in dispute resolution culture. This 129% increase is attributed to the proactive role of the last three Chief Justices. The state-wise data shows Rajasthan leading with 41,823 cases, indicating successful state-level mediation programs. This trend reduces court burden, saves time and cost for litigants, and promotes amicable settlements.
Way Forward
Sustaining this momentum requires strengthening mediation infrastructure, training more mediators, and creating public awareness. Clear statutory and institutional frameworks (where enacted), wider adoption of e‑mediation platforms, and closer integration with district legal services authorities and courts can accelerate case resolution and improve access to justice.
Mediation cases resolved in India (Year-wise)
| Year | Cases resolved |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 2,25,647 |
| 2024-25 | 98,406 |
| 2023-24 | 99,033 |
| 2022-23 | 92,446 |
| 2021-22 | 52,968 |
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Methods of resolving disputes outside the courtroom, including mediation, arbitration, conciliation, and Lok Adalats. ADR is faster, cheaper, and reduces the burden on courts.
- National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
- A statutory body constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free legal services to eligible persons and organize Lok Adalats for amicable dispute resolution.
- Mediation
- A voluntary, confidential process where a neutral third party (mediator) helps disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable settlement. Unlike arbitration, the mediator does not impose a decision.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: 2,25,647 mediation cases in 2025-26, up from 98,406 in 2024-25
- Legal Point: Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
Don't make this mistake!
They may swap the year: 2.25 lakh cases were in 2025-26, not 2024-25. They may also confuse NALSA with other legal bodies like the Law Commission or Bar Council of India. Rajasthan (41,823) is the top state, not Kerala or Maharashtra.
Write these in mains answers
- Alternative Dispute Resolution, case backlog, NALSA, Mediation Act 2023, judicial efficiency
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Mediation is a way to settle disputes outside court with the help of a neutral third party. In 2025-26, over 2.25 lakh cases were resolved through mediation in India, more than double the previous year. This happened because the Supreme Court has been encouraging people to use mediation instead of going to court. Rajasthan resolved the most cases through mediation.
- Mediation cases in India more than doubled to 2,25,647 in 2025-26.
- The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) released the report.
- Rajasthan resolved the highest mediation cases at 41,823.
- Current CJI Surya Kant advocates for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
- ADR includes mediation, arbitration, and conciliation.
- Polity: Judiciary and Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Governance: Legal Services and Access to Justice
Related concepts: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Mediation
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which statutory body released the report showing that mediation cases more than doubled in 2025-26?
Explanation: The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) released the report. The Law Commission recommends legal reforms, the Bar Council regulates lawyers, and the Supreme Court is the highest court, not the publisher of this report.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding mediation cases in India:
- 1.Mediation cases in India more than doubled from 98,406 in 2024-25 to 2,25,647 in 2025-26.
- 2.Kerala resolved the highest number of mediation cases among all states in 2025-26.
- 3.The last three Chief Justices of India have advocated for Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: cases rose from 98,406 to 2,25,647. Statement 2 is incorrect: Rajasthan (41,823) resolved the highest, not Kerala (33,851). Statement 3 is correct: CJIs Surya Kant, Sanjiv Khanna, and B.R. Gavai all advocated ADR. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
According to the NALSA report, how many mediation cases were resolved in India in 2025-26?
Explanation: The report stated 2,25,647 cases were resolved through mediation in 2025-26. 98,406 was the figure for 2024-25. 1,25,647 and 3,25,647 are incorrect numbers.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of promoting mediation as an Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism?
Explanation: Mediation aims to resolve disputes outside court, thereby reducing the backlog of pending cases; it does not increase the number of court judgments, make legal services more expensive, or replace the judicial system.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the full form of NALSA?
NALSA stands for National Legal Services Authority, a statutory body constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
2. How many mediation cases were resolved in India in 2025-26?
A total of 2,25,647 mediation cases were resolved in India in 2025-26, more than double the 98,406 cases resolved in 2024-25.
3. Which state resolved the highest number of mediation cases in 2025-26?
Rajasthan resolved the highest number of mediation cases at 41,823, followed by Kerala (33,851) and Maharashtra (29,212).
4. Who is the current Chief Justice of India?
The current Chief Justice of India is Surya Kant.
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- Original7 November 2026 · Read story
