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UPSC Notes

Challenges to Judicial Efficiency and Functioning

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

UPSC frequently examines issues related to judicial reforms, pendency of cases, and the overall functioning of the judiciary, making the understanding of judges' workload and the purpose of judicial breaks crucial for policy analysis.

The Indian judiciary faces significant challenges in its efficiency and functioning, primarily due to an overwhelming workload, extensive time required for judgment writing and case preparation, and the need for continuous intellectual output, which impacts the timely delivery of justice.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Purpose of Judicial Holidays

Judicial holidays serve as crucial working periods for judges to complete pending judgments and prepare for complex cases, rather than mere rest.

Unseen Workload

Judges' work extends significantly beyond visible court hours, involving extensive research, analysis of facts, application of legal principles, and precise language drafting.

Financial Sacrifices

Many judges make substantial financial sacrifices, giving up lucrative legal practices to serve the nation on the Bench.

Personal and Family Burden

The demanding nature of judicial service often places a shared burden on judges' families, impacting personal time and requiring continuous engagement with legal work.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supreme Court of IndiaGoverns
High CourtsGoverns
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Judicial holidays are working windows for judges.
  • Unseen work: judgment writing, case prep, research.
  • High intellectual demand, long hours.
  • Financial sacrifices by judges.
  • Impact on judicial efficiency and family life.

High-confidence PYQs

2024Definition-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to :

Indian PolityOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4...

Indian PolityOpen question
2022Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. The 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an Article placing the election of the Prime Minister beyon...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. The 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an Article placing the election of the Prime Minister beyon...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. The 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an Article placing the election of the Prime Minister beyon...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2014Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & Governance
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Open question
Prelims 2019· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. The 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an Article placing the election of the Prime Minister beyon...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. The 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an Article placing the election of the Prime Minister beyon...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. The 44th Amendment to the Constitution of India introduced an Article placing the election of the Prime Minister beyon...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Definition-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to :

Open question

Why judicial holidays are necessary

04 Jun 2026 · The article highlights that judicial holidays are essential working periods for judges to manage their demanding workload, including judgment writing and case preparation, which are largely unseen by the public. It underscores the intellectual rigor, personal sacrifices, and constant scrutiny inherent in judicial service, arguing for a more informed public understanding of the judiciary's operational realities.

Read article

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Practice writing on this topic

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