Indian Polity & Governance·Current Affairs 2026

Special Courts — Current Affairs 2026

Updated 5 Mar 2026

Current Affairs Connections

Recent developments and news linked to Special Courts.

No recent current-affairs connections are available for this topic.

Background (2024)

Earlier events that provide context for this topic.

Supreme Court Restores Original Provisions of SC/ST Act After Parliamentary Amendment

March 2024

Following widespread protests against the Mahajan judgment's dilution of the SC/ST Act, Parliament passed the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2018, which restored the original provisions. Recent Supreme Court observations in 2024 have emphasized the need for Special Courts to implement these restored provisions effectively while ensuring that the legislative intent of providing stringent protection to SC/ST communities is maintained. This development directly impacts how Special Courts interpret and apply the Act's provisions, particularly regarding arrest procedures and bail provisions.

UPSC Angle: Expected questions on legislative override of judicial decisions, Parliament's power to amend laws in response to judicial interpretation, and the evolving role of Special Courts in implementing amended provisions. Mains questions may focus on the balance between judicial interpretation and legislative intent.

Government Launches Digital Initiative for Special Courts Under e-Courts Project Phase III

January 2024

The Ministry of Law and Justice launched a comprehensive digitization initiative specifically targeting Special Courts handling SC/ST atrocity cases. This includes e-filing systems, digital case management, video conferencing facilities for witness examination, and AI-powered case tracking systems. The initiative aims to address long-standing issues of delays and inefficiencies in Special Courts while improving access to justice for SC/ST communities, particularly in remote areas where physical court access is challenging.

UPSC Angle: Questions on technology integration in judiciary, digital governance initiatives, and modernization of court systems. Mains questions may examine the impact of digitization on access to justice and effectiveness of specialized judicial mechanisms.