No More 'Tareekh Pe Tareekh' As Supreme Court Cracks Down On Adjournments

Last Updated:March 19, 2026, 12:02 IST

The Supreme Court set strict rules for adjournment requests, allowing them only in exceptional cases with safeguards.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued stern measures for seeking adjournments, saying that the requests will only be considered in exceptional cases and subject to structured safeguards.

The court stressed that the letters seeking adjournment in such cases may be circulated by Advocates-on-Record or parties appearing in person. However, a copy of the adjournment request must be served in advance to the other side or caveator, along with proof of service before 11:00 AM on the previous working day, according to the circular.

Right To Object

The other side or caveator can raise objections to the adjournment request. These objections must be sent through email before 12:00 noon on the previous working day and will also be placed before the Court.

The court also mentioned that the requests must include specified reasons for seeking adjournment and alos mention the number of adjournments already taken in the case.

Only Exceptional Grounds Allowed

Adjournments will be considered only in exceptional circumstances, such as bereavement in the family or medical or health issues of the advocate or party-in-person, or any other genuine reason to the satisfaction of the Court.

Limits On Adjournments

According to the circular, adjournment requests can be circulated only once in fresh cases. Additionally, two consecutive adjournments will not be allowed without the matter being listed before the Court.

Prescribed Format And Submission

All adjournment requests must be submitted in the prescribed format as per Annexure ‘A’ via email.

No adjournments In Regular Matters

No letters seeking adjournment will be permitted in regular cases listed before the Court.

Over 92,000 Cases Pending In Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India is currently dealing with a heavy backlog of cases as of March 2026, with a total of 92,882 matters pending, according to data from the National Judicial Data Grid. Out of these, 73,209 are civil cases, while 19,673 are criminal cases.

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