India's Judge Shortage: Just 22 Per Million People
India has only 22 judges per million people, far below the recommended 50.
India’s judicial system is under significant strain, with only 22 judges available per million people, far below the Law Commission of India’s recommended ratio of 50 judges per million, according to data from the Ministry of Law and Justice. This shortage is contributing to mounting case backlogs, delayed justice, and a growing number of undertrial prisoners across the country. The ratio is calculated based on the Census 2011 population of 1,210.85 million and sanctioned judge positions projected through 2026.
Official statistics reveal stark gaps in judicial staffing. The Supreme Court, with a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, currently has 33 sitting judges. High Courts face an even more acute shortage, with 814 judges in place out of a sanctioned strength of 1,122. District and Subordinate Courts, which handle the majority of litigation, have 20,833 judges, yet this remains insufficient given the country’s vast and complex caseload. These vacancies exacerbate delays and slow the resolution of disputes.
The impact of judicial delays is evident in prison data. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 389,910 undertrial prisoners in 2023, reflecting the judiciary’s overburdened capacity. Case pendency arises from multiple factors, including case complexity, the availability of evidence, participation from lawyers and witnesses, and infrastructural limitations in courts. The government has emphasized that timely justice is a constitutional mandate under Article 21, prompting efforts to improve efficiency through technological solutions.
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To address these challenges, initiatives such as the e-Courts Mission Mode Project have been launched to digitize court processes, improve access, and enhance transparency. Financial assistance is also being provided to states and union territories under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for the Judiciary to modernize court infrastructure. These measures aim to reduce delays and improve case management across all levels of the judiciary.
Progress is also being made in judicial appointments. Between 2018 and January 2026, 847 judges were appointed across various courts, including representation from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minority communities, and women. Of these, 130 women judges were appointed to High Courts, reflecting efforts to improve diversity and inclusivity in the judiciary while gradually addressing structural gaps in the judicial workforce.
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