UPSC Notes

Live-streaming of Court Proceedings

PYQs

11

Articles

2

Momentum

32

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

UPSC cares about this as it represents a significant reform in judicial administration, balancing transparency with the integrity of judicial processes, and involves the use of technology in governance. It touches upon fundamental rights (access to information) and potential restrictions.

The Supreme Court of India has progressively moved towards live-streaming its proceedings, driven by the principle of open courts and the need to enhance transparency and public access to justice, often guided by specific rules and directives.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Purpose

Enhances transparency and public access to justice.

Governing Rules

Subject to specific rules and directives regarding what and how content is broadcast.

Restrictions

Rules bar unauthorized recording, reproduction, and monetization of court videos.

Judicial Discretion

Muting of audio for specific proceedings (e.g., oral mentionings) can occur based on judicial directives.

Concerns

Misuse, misquotation, and commercial exploitation of clips circulated on social media.

Regulation

Supreme Court has issued interim orders and mooted protocols to regulate dissemination and prevent unauthorized use.

Balance

Aims to balance transparency with maintaining the dignity and integrity of judicial proceedings.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaJudicial Reforms
Conceptual areaTransparency and Accountability
Conceptual areaDigital Governance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supreme Court of IndiaImplements
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Enhances transparency and public access to justice.
  • Based on the 'open court' principle.
  • Governed by specific rules and guidelines.
  • Restrictions on unauthorized recording and monetization.
  • Judicial discretion on what to stream or mute.

High-confidence PYQs

Topic timeline

Judicial ReformsTransparency and AccountabilityDigital Governance
Prelims 2024· Definition-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

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

30 Jul 2026 · Live-streaming of court proceedings is a significant step towards judicial transparency, allowing public access to hearings, but is subject to specific rules and judicial discretion regarding what and how content is broadcast.

Read article

CJI flags ‘misuse’ of live-streamed court proceedings on social media

14 Aug 2026 · Live streaming of court proceedings, introduced for transparency, faces challenges of misuse and commercial exploitation, leading to regulatory measures by the Supreme Court to balance openness with judicial integrity.

Read article

Related topics

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 11 linked questions on Live-streaming of Court Proceedings in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Live-streaming of Court Proceedings

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

Consider the following statements : 1. The motion to impeach a Judge of the Supreme Court of India cannot be rejected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as per ...

2019·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

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

In essence, what does 'Due Process of Law' mean?

2023·Indian Polity
Solve

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

2024·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to ...

2019·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

Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validi...

2018·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

Consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution of India defines its ‘basic structure’ in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and dem...

2020·Indian Polity
Solve

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

2014·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