India Justice Report 2025

The India Justice Report (IJR) 2025, released by Tata Trusts in collaboration with other organizations, sheds light on the critical flaws and challenges facing India’s justice system. The report underscores how delays, overcrowding, and lack of accountability have made justice increasingly inaccessible for millions of citizens across the country.

About the India Justice Report (IJR)

The India Justice Report is a periodic national assessment that evaluates the capacity and performance of India’s justice system. It measures the effectiveness of four key pillars of justice:

1. Police

2. Judiciary

3. Prisons

4. Legal Aid

The report ranks states based on their performance in these areas, using various metrics such as human resources, infrastructure, budgets, workload, and diversity.

Key Highlights from the India Justice Report 2025

1. Judicial Backlog and Vacancies:

   • Over five crore pending cases across the country.

   • High Courts face 33% vacancy rates, and District Courts have 21% vacancy rates.

   • The ideal ratio of judges to population (50 judges per 10 lakh) is far from met. India has only 15 judges per 10 lakh people, much lower than the Law Commission’s suggestion of 50 judges per 10 lakh.

   • In states like Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Kerala, judges handle workloads exceeding 4,000 cases per judge.

2. Policing and Rural Neglect:

   • Police-to-population ratio is 155 personnel per 100,000 people, well below the sanctioned 197 personnel.

   • A sharp decline in rural police stations, impacting the accessibility of law enforcement in rural areas.

   • While 83% of police stations have at least one CCTV camera, states like Jharkhand have less than 50% coverage.

   • Women in police forces are largely concentrated in constabulary roles, with minimal leadership representation.

3. Prison Overcrowding:

   • Several prisons operate at over 250% occupancy, with Uttar Pradesh alone having 18 prisons operating at overcapacity.

   • 76% of prisoners are undertrials, with Delhi exceeding 90% of its prison population being undertrial.

4. Legal Aid Accessibility:

   • The per capita spending on legal aid is extremely low at ₹6.46, restricting access to justice for marginalized communities.

   • The number of paralegal volunteers has dropped by 38% since 2019.

5. Diversity and Representation:

   • Karnataka is the only state to meet the SC, ST, and OBC quotas in both the police and judiciary.

   • At the current pace, Jharkhand will take 206 years to achieve 33% women in the police force, while Andhra Pradesh will take just 3 years.

State-Level Findings

1. Large States (population above 10 million):

   • Karnataka remains at the top, with Andhra Pradesh climbing to second place (from fifth).

   • Telangana retains its third position since 2019.

   • Chhattisgarh saw the highest rise in police training spend and achieved 100% case clearance rates at both High Court and district levels.

   • Every police station in Chhattisgarh has a women’s help desk.

2. Small States (population up to 10 million):

   • Sikkim retains its 1st rank among small states and is the only state to meet the 33% women judges benchmark in High Courts.

   • All small states have achieved 80%+ police stations with CCTV coverage, and Goa (70%) and Meghalaya (61%) lead in district court judges representation.

Implications for the Common Citizen

The India Justice Report 2025 reveals several challenges that have significant implications for the common citizen:

1. Fear of Law Enforcement:

   • Due to inefficiencies and biases within the system, many citizens, especially in rural areas, are reluctant to approach law enforcement for help.

2. Distrust in the Judiciary:

   • The backlog of cases and delays in the judicial process foster a deep sense of distrust, as justice is often delayed for years, leaving citizens frustrated with the lack of timely resolution.

3. Normalization of Custodial Violence:

   • With prison overcrowding and high percentages of undertrials, custodial violence remains a critical issue with little accountability for human rights violations within the prison system.

Key Recommendations Made in the Report

1. Fill Vacancies and Reduce Backlog:

   • Expedite the appointment of judges to fill vacancies in High Courts and District Courts.

   • Implement technology-driven solutions like e-courts to tackle the five-crore pending cases and reduce the backlog.

2. Improve Police-to-Population Ratio & Enhance Rural Policing:

   • Address the decline in rural police stations to ensure equitable law enforcement across urban and rural areas.

3. Reduce Overcrowding & Focus on Undertrials:

   • Expand prison infrastructure and promote alternatives to incarceration such as community service and bail reforms to reduce overcrowding.

4. Increase Funding for Legal Aid:

   • Raise per capita spending on legal aid from the current ₹6.46 to ensure better access to justice for marginalized communities.

5. Strengthen Paralegal Networks:

   • Rebuild the paralegal volunteer base, which has declined by 38% since 2019, to ensure that communities receive the support needed to navigate the legal system.

6. Enhance Diversity and Representation:

   • Ensure adequate representation of SC, ST, OBC, and women in police forces, judiciary, and legal aid systems to ensure that the system is more inclusive and representative.

7. Leverage Technology and Innovation:

   • Integrate forensic science and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms to improve judicial efficiency.

   • Expand the use of e-governance and digital tools for case management and public access to justice services.

Conclusion

The India Justice Report 2025 exposes critical flaws within India’s justice system, which urgently need reform. The report underscores the need for:

• Judicial reforms to address backlog and vacancies.

• Police restructuring to ensure better access and equity, especially in rural areas.

• Improved legal aid accessibility to ensure marginalized communities are not left behind.

Without systemic changes, justice will remain elusive for millions of Indians. Addressing these issues is paramount to ensuring that India’s justice system functions effectively, transparently, and equitably for all citizens. Reforms are essential to building a justice system that is truly accessible, inclusive, and efficient in serving its people.