Court vacancy data — RTI to HC + SC (2026 guide)

• HC sanctioned strength: ~1,108 (2024)
• HC working strength: ~700 (varies)
• SC sanctioned: 34 (incl. CJI)
• SC working: typically 30-34
• Judge appointment: Collegium-decided, President appoints
• RTI for current vacancy + Collegium recommendation status

1. Check Department of Justice website — doj.gov.in publishes summary.
2. Check specific HC website — For its own vacancy.
3. RTI to Court PIO — For granular: sanctioned, working, vacant, pending Collegium.
4. RTI to DoJ — For appointment process status.
5. Track via NJDG dashboard — Pendency correlation visible.

• Specific judge's assignment status — RTI for transfer order + assigned bench.
• Long-pending Collegium recommendation — RTI for processing status.
• Government refusing to act on Collegium — political matter; RTI for institutional response.
• Sanction increase requested — RTI for proposal status.

Court records are split: judicial records (case file, orders) follow CPC rules + court counter; administrative records (vacancy, infrastructure, listing logic, judges' assets) are disclosable via RTI to the court PIO.

1. Status of my case no. _____ as on date.
2. Reasons for delay / non-listing in past 30 days.
3. Number of similar cases pending + disposed in past 12 months.
4. Procedure to seek certified copy / file inspection.
5. Name + designation of court PIO + appellate authority.

Auto-fill the PIO + your case: Open the AI RTI Drafter →

Combination of: appointment process delays, retirement, transfers, expansion of bench strength.

Direct — fewer judges = longer pendency. NJDG quantifies.

Limited — political process. PILs have driven some appointments.

Update lag of 30-90 days possible. RTI for as-on-date.

• All eCourts + judicial guides
• Helplines
• Full RTI Playbook

Last reviewed: 26 April 2026.