UPSC Notes

Open Justice

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

It's a cornerstone of good governance, judicial accountability, and the rule of law. Its conflict with individual privacy rights highlights the complex balancing act required in a democratic society, especially in the digital era.

Open justice is a fundamental principle of the legal system that ensures transparency and accountability by allowing public scrutiny of court proceedings and records. It facilitates public understanding of the law, maintains public confidence in the judiciary, and creates a historical record of the administration of justice.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Core Objective

Ensures public scrutiny of courts and their functioning.

Benefits

Facilitates public understanding of law and creates a historical record of justice administration.

Challenge

Challenged by the Right to be Forgotten, especially with the widespread digitization of court records.

Requirement

Demands practical accessibility of records, not merely their existence, and proper context for information.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaJudiciary & Judicial Review
Conceptual areaConstitutional & Statutory Bodies

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
JudiciaryUpholds
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Ensures transparency and accountability of courts.
  • Allows public access to proceedings and records.
  • Crucial for public trust and legal understanding.
  • Conflict with Right to be Forgotten in digital context.
  • Requires updated and contextualized public records for true accessibility.

High-confidence PYQs

Topic timeline

Judiciary & Judicial ReviewConstitutional & Statutory Bodies

​Preserving the record: On the right to be forgotten

04 Jun 2026 · A core principle ensuring transparency and public scrutiny of the judiciary, crucial for accountability and public trust, often conflicting with individual privacy rights in the digital age.

Read article

Related topics

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Open Justice in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.