UPSC Notes

Live-streaming of Court Proceedings and Access to Justice

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

This concept is crucial for understanding judicial reforms, the evolving nature of access to justice, the interplay between technology and governance, and the challenges in balancing transparency with judicial integrity and privacy. It touches upon fundamental rights and the functioning of constitutional bodies.

Live-streaming of court proceedings refers to the real-time broadcast of judicial hearings, often via digital platforms, aimed at enhancing transparency and public access to the justice delivery system. This initiative is rooted in the principle of open justice and the constitutional right to access justice.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Landmark Ruling

In 2018 (Swapnil Tripathi case), the Supreme Court recognized live-streaming as part of the right to access justice under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Implementation Status

The Supreme Court began live-streaming Constitutional Bench proceedings in 2022, and live-streaming is operational in 11 High Courts.

Recent Restrictions

In July 2024, the Supreme Court issued an interim order barring unauthorized use and circulation of audio/video clips of judicial proceedings on social media without prior permission.

Exclusions

Model Rules (2021) prohibit live-streaming of sensitive cases such as matrimonial disputes, sexual assault cases, and proceedings involving children or juveniles.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance
Conceptual areaFundamental Rights

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supreme Court of IndiaMandates, implements, regulates
High CourtsImplement
Bar Council of IndiaRegulates professional conduct
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • SC's 2018 ruling (Swapnil Tripathi) linked live-streaming to Article 21 (Right to Access Justice).
  • Aims: enhance transparency, public scrutiny, and access to justice.
  • SC began live-streaming Constitutional Benches in 2022; 11 HCs also stream.
  • Recent SC interim order restricts unauthorized sharing of clips due to concerns of decontextualization.
  • Debate: balancing transparency with judicial integrity and preventing misinformation.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutoryDistinguish between the constitutional right to access justice (Article 21) and the statutory/rule-based framework for live-streaming.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & GovernanceFundamental Rights

Courtroom dramas, clipped and shared

04 Sep 2026 · Live-streaming of court proceedings, mandated by the SC under Article 21, aims to enhance judicial transparency and access to justice. While widely adopted, recent concerns over out-of-context clips have led to restrictions, sparking a debate on balancing public scrutiny with judicial integrity.

Read article

Related topics

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Live-streaming of Court Proceedings and Access to Justice in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Live-streaming of Court Proceedings and Access to Justice

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

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