UPSC PracticeUPSC Practice
UPSC Notes

Judicial Administration and Procedural Transparency

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Crucial for understanding the internal functioning of the judiciary, the powers of the CJI, the balance between administrative efficiency and public scrutiny, and the implications for judicial accountability.

Judicial administration encompasses the internal management, procedural rules, and non-adjudicatory functions of courts, distinct from the substantive judicial process, with transparency in these administrative aspects being vital for maintaining public trust and accountability in the judiciary.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

CJI's Role

Chief Justice of India holds significant administrative powers, including being the 'Master of the Roster'.

Administrative vs. Judicial

Oral mentionings are considered an 'administrative' exercise by the CJI, distinct from formal judicial proceedings.

Impact on Access

The distinction between administrative and judicial proceedings can impact public access and media reporting.

Importance of Transparency

Transparency in administrative functions is crucial for ensuring public confidence and accountability in the judiciary.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaJudicial Accountability
Conceptual areaSeparation of Powers

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supreme Court of IndiaOversees
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions

Quick revision

  • CJI's role as 'Master of the Roster' in judicial administration.
  • Distinction between administrative and judicial functions of the court.
  • Oral mentionings often categorized as administrative exercises.
  • Impact of this distinction on public reporting and media access.
  • Importance of transparency in administrative processes for public trust.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — Distinguish between administrative powers derived from constitutional position (CJI as Master of Roster) and those from statutory rules.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2024Definition-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to :

Indian PolityOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4...

Indian PolityOpen question
2022Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accus...

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accus...

Indian PolityOpen question
2014Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Indian PolityOpen question

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Indian PolityOpen question
2014Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Indian PolityOpen question

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Judicial AccountabilitySeparation of Powers
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Open question

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Open question
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Open question

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accus...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accus...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Definition-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to :

Open question
Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected ...

Open question

Livestream audio muted in CJI’s court during oral mentioning as per directive

30 Jul 2026 · Judicial administration refers to the management of court functions, including listing cases and procedural matters, which the CJI oversees. Transparency in these administrative processes is essential, though the extent of public access can be debated, especially when distinguishing them from formal judicial proceedings.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Judicial Administration and Procedural Transparency

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Judicial Administration and Procedural Transparency in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Judicial Administration and Procedural Transparency

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

2014·Indian Polity
Solve

A Writ of Prohibition is an order issued by the Supreme Court or High Courts to :

2024·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgements that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4...

2023·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

2021·Indian Polity
Solve

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

2014·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accus...

2021·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected ...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

2022·Indian Polity
Solve

Editorial & Review Process

Every revision note and practice question on UPSC Practice is researched using authoritative primary sources and reviewed for factual accuracy, syllabus relevance, and exam value. Read our Editorial Policy.

Verified Quality
Browse all topics