Supreme Court Directs States to Decide Within Two Weeks on Raising Judicial Retirement Age Amid 5.18 Crore Case Backlog

A Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice directed states on September 1, 2026, to decide within two weeks on raising the retirement age of district judicial officers from 60 to 62 years, after only seven states agreed to the measure so far, according to Indian Express and The Hindu. District courts currently have a backlog of 5.18 crore (51.8 million) cases pending. India's district judiciary faces a dual crisis: a massive case backlog and a chronic shortage of sitting judges caused by slow recruitment and attrition of experienced officers. The Supreme Court has previously advocated raising the retirement age as an interim measure while longer-term judicial infrastructure is built. The September 1 order converts this recommendation into a binding directive with a two-week timeline, reflecting the urgency of the situation. The district judiciary serves as the first point of contact with justice for most Indian citizens, making the backlog a matter of fundamental access to justice.