For Prelims: Judicial pendency, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Lok Adalat, Article 44
For Mains: Governance: Judicial reforms and access to justice; Polity: Directive Principles of State Policy
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- The proposed evening courts pilot covers Delhi, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
- The Centre plans to begin the pilot by the end of 2026.
- Retired judges are planned to serve in evening sessions.
- The pilot is to be undertaken with the cooperation of the respective High Courts.
- Article 44 concerns a uniform civil code.
The news
The Union government has decided to launch evening courts on a pilot basis in Delhi, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh by the end of 2026 to reduce the backlog of pending cases. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal outlined the plan in an interview to The New Indian Express, stating that the pilot will be implemented with the cooperation of the respective High Courts.
Under the proposed system, existing courts that operate during the day will hold additional evening sessions to hear and dispose of pending matters. The Centre also plans to engage retired judges to serve in these evening sessions. Meghwal said the pilot will be evaluated comprehensively before the government considers extending the model to other states and Union Territories. He added that the government is also looking at Lok Adalats and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to ease the judicial workload.
Why in the news?
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced in November 2026 that the Centre will launch evening courts on a pilot basis in Delhi, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh by the end of the year, marking a new approach to tackle judicial pendency.
What is the constitutional basis for evening courts?
The Constitution places the administration of justice in the hands of the High Courts and subordinate courts under Articles 214 and 233 to 235. The Law Commission of India has repeatedly recommended measures to reduce judicial delays, including in its 230th report on reforms in the judiciary. The Supreme Court in Hussainara Khatoon v. State of Bihar (1979) recognised speedy trial as part of Article 21. Lok Adalats were given statutory status through the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, which also established the National Legal Services Authority. Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms were strengthened by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
What is the problem of judicial pendency?
Judicial pendency refers to cases awaiting disposal before courts. Delays in resolution increase the workload of the judiciary and prolong access to justice for litigants. The proposed evening courts aim to address this by extending court hours rather than relying solely on daytime sittings.
How will the pilot work and what are the other measures?
Existing courts will hold additional evening sessions, creating more hearing opportunities and improving the use of court facilities. The involvement of retired judges is expected to supplement judicial capacity. Alongside the pilot, the government is considering Lok Adalats and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as other mechanisms to reduce the burden on courts.
What is the next step after the pilot?
The Centre plans to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot, examining case disposal rates, duration of proceedings, staffing needs and accessibility for litigants. Based on the assessment, the government may extend the model to other states and Union Territories.
Delhi connection
Facts and terms for exams
- Judicial pendency:
- Judicial pendency refers to cases awaiting disposal before courts.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution comprises methods of resolving disputes outside the usual court trial process.
- Lok Adalat:
- A Lok Adalat is a forum for settlement of disputes through conciliation and compromise.
- Article 44:
- Article 44 is a Directive Principle asking the state to endeavour to secure a uniform civil code throughout India.
Why it matters for exams
Exams: BPSC, Bihar SI
Syllabus: Governance: Judicial reforms and access to justice; Polity: Directive Principles of State Policy
Common mistake: Examiners may confuse a proposed pilot with an implemented nationwide programme: evening courts are planned for three locations, with wider expansion to be considered after evaluation.
Mains question
The introduction of evening courts on a pilot basis aims to reduce judicial pendency. Examine the potential benefits and limitations of this approach in improving access to justice in India.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Evening courts are proposed additional sessions of existing courts after regular daytime hours. They aim to hear more pending cases, meaning cases awaiting disposal. The government plans a pilot in three locations and will assess it before considering expansion.
- The proposed evening courts pilot covers Delhi, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
- The Centre plans to begin the pilot by the end of 2026.
- Retired judges are planned to serve in evening sessions.
- The pilot is to be undertaken with the cooperation of the respective High Courts.
- Article 44 concerns a uniform civil code.
- Governance: Judicial reforms and access to justice
- Polity: Directive Principles of State Policy
Related concepts: Judicial pendency, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Lok Adalat, Article 44
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which constitutional provision concerns a uniform civil code for citizens throughout India?
Explanation: Article 44 directs the state to endeavour to secure a uniform civil code. Lok Adalats, alternative dispute resolution and evening courts concern dispute resolution or court administration rather than that constitutional provision.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about the proposed evening courts pilot in 2026:
- 1.The pilot is planned in Delhi, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
- 2.The Centre has decided to implement the model nationwide without evaluating the pilot.
- 3.The Centre plans to use the services of retired judges for evening sessions.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 correctly describe the pilot locations and the proposed use of retired judges. Statement 2 is incorrect: wider implementation will be considered after evaluation.
- Q3Medium
By when does the Centre plan to start the evening courts pilot in Delhi, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh?
Explanation: The planned deadline is the end of 2026. The other years do not match the announced pilot timeline.
- Q4Medium
What is the principal objective of the proposed evening courts pilot in Delhi, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh?
Explanation: Extra court hours are intended to help hear and dispose of pending cases. The pilot does not replace High Courts, implement a uniform civil code or discontinue alternative dispute resolution.
Frequently asked questions
1. Where is the evening courts pilot planned?
The pilot is planned in Delhi, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
2. When are the proposed evening courts expected to start?
The Centre plans to start the pilot by the end of 2026.
3. Will retired judges serve in the proposed evening courts?
The Centre plans to use the services of retired judges for the evening sessions.
4. How will the evening courts pilot be expanded?
The pilot will be evaluated before the Centre considers extending the model to other states and Union Territories.
All sources
- Original11 November 2026 · Read story
