A Quantitative Analysis of the I ndian S upreme C ourt's Workload

This article analyzes the I ndian S upreme C ourt's docket in detail from 1993 to 2011. It also draws on available data to describe more broadly the workings of the C ourt before 1993. The article explains how deficiencies in the way data are currently collected and categorized by the C ourt presents challenges in developing a full picture of its workload. Using the admittedly imperfect data set, it then analyzes the S upreme C ourt's caseload by geographic region of appeal, subject matter category, petition type, and other classifications. Among other findings, this analysis shows that the C ourt is disproportionately accessed by those close to D elhi and with more resources and that the S upreme C ourt's multiplicity of benches and cases may be undercutting precedent following in the I ndian j udicial system.