January 22, 2026

Watch Supreme Court of India Live: Constitution Bench Hearings, Verdicts & Case Status

🔴 Watch Live: Supreme Court of India

The Live Stream Hub

Access the official webcasts of Constitution Bench hearings and matters of national importance.

[PLACEHOLDER FOR YOUTUBE EMBED - SUPREME COURT OF INDIA OFFICIAL / NIC WEBCAST]

🔴 LIVE STATUS: Event-BasedWhen to Watch: Live streams are typically active during Constitution Bench hearings (Tue/Wed/Thu).Broadcast Hours: Court sits from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM.Platform: Official YouTube Channel & NIC Webcast.Note: Not all courtrooms are streamed 24/7. Live access is prioritized for cases involving "Substantial Questions of Law."

Introduction: The Sentinel on the Qui Vive

(Why Watching the Supreme Court Matters)

For decades, the Supreme Court of India (SCI) was a fortress. Its proceedings were witnessed only by the parties involved and a handful of accredited journalists. What happened inside the "Court of Record" stayed inside, often interpreted for the public only through second-hand news reports.

That changed forever on September 27, 2022, when the Supreme Court started live-streaming its Constitution Bench proceedings. This historic shift towards transparency brought the common citizen face-to-face with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the nation's top lawyers.

When you tune into a Supreme Court stream, you are not watching a debate; you are watching the law being interpreted. Unlike Parliament, where politics rules, here, the Constitution rules. You will witness the finest legal minds in the country—the Attorney General, the Solicitor General, and Senior Advocates—arguing on issues that define the fabric of India: from privacy rights and electoral reforms to marriage equality and federal disputes.

This guide is your "Legal Companion." It will help you navigate the complex world of the Apex Court, understand why 5 judges sit together, and what it means when the court takes "Suo Motu" cognizance.

📅 The Daily Schedule: How the Court Functions

The Supreme Court follows a rigid timetable. Understanding this rhythm is key to knowing when to tune in.

10:30 AM: The Assembly & "Mentioning"

The Judges enter the courtroom. Everyone stands. The day begins.

  • Mentioning (The Rush Hour): The first 20-30 minutes are often the most chaotic and dramatic. Lawyers rush to "mention" urgent matters (e.g., a stay on a demolition scheduled for tomorrow, or an urgent bail plea) before the CJI, requesting an early hearing. This is where you see the sheer volume of cases the court handles.

Miscellaneous Days vs. Non-Miscellaneous Days

  • Mondays & Fridays (Miscellaneous Days): The Court hears a massive number of "fresh" petitions (SLPs/PILs). The hearings are short (often 2-3 minutes per case). The objective is to decide: Should we admit this case or dismiss it? These days are fast-paced but rarely streamed in full.
  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (NMDs): These are "Non-Miscellaneous Days." The Court hears "Regular Matters"—old cases that require lengthy arguments. This is when Constitution Benches sit. If you want to watch a 4-hour deep-dive argument on a constitutional point, these are the days to watch.

01:00 PM – 02:00 PM: Lunch Break

The Court rises for lunch.

02:00 PM – 04:00 PM: Post-Lunch Session

Arguments continue. The Court strictly rises at 4:00 PM, though judges often sit late to finish a specific argument.

⚖️ Decoding the Bench: Who Are You Watching?

You will see different combinations of judges. The number of judges matters immensely.

1. Division Bench (2 or 3 Judges)

Most cases in the Supreme Court are heard by a bench of 2 or 3 judges.

  • Role: They decide regular appeals (civil, criminal, tax).
  • Binding Nature: Their decision is binding on the country, but can be overruled by a larger bench.

2. Constitution Bench (5, 7, or 9 Judges)

This is the "Super Bowl" of legal streaming.

  • When does it happen? Under Article 145(3) of the Constitution, a bench of at least 5 Judges must sit to decide cases involving a "substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution."
  • Why watch? These are the historic cases (e.g., Ayodhya, Right to Privacy, Same-Sex Marriage).
  • The Setup: The CJI usually presides in the center. The judges are seated in order of seniority.

3. The Master of the Roster

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the "Master of the Roster."

  • This means only the CJI has the administrative power to decide which judge hears which case. You cannot choose your judge. If you see a high-profile political case listed before a specific bench, it is because the CJI assigned it there.

🏛️ Visuals & Etiquette: Inside the Courtroom No. 1

The visual language of the Supreme Court is steeped in tradition.

  • The Decor: Unlike the red/green of Parliament, the Supreme Court uses sober wood paneling and high-backed chairs with the State Emblem (Ashoka Chakra) embroidered on them. Bookshelves line the walls, filled with "Supreme Court Reports" (SCR).
  • Dress Code:
    • Judges: White shirt, white band, black coat, and the flowing black gown. They do not wear wigs (unlike British judges).
    • Advocates: Similar dress code (Gowns are mandatory for Senior Advocates).
  • Address:
    • "My Lord" / "Your Lordship": The traditional colonial address.
    • "Your Honour" / "Sir": The modern, preferred address. Many judges now discourage the use of "My Lord," seeing it as feudal.
  • The Portrait: Behind the CJI's chair hangs a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, symbolizing that the law serves truth and non-violence.

Lawyers speak a specific dialect. Here is a translation of common terms you will hear on the stream.

1. PIL (Public Interest Litigation)

A unique Indian concept.

  • Meaning: Usually, you can only go to court if you are the victim. In a PIL, any citizen can approach the court on behalf of the public (e.g., for clean air, against corruption, or for prisoner rights).
  • Article 32: The "Heart and Soul" of the Constitution. It allows citizens to move the SC directly for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.

2. SLP (Special Leave Petition) - Article 136

  • Meaning: This is the most common route to the Supreme Court. It asks the SC for "Special Permission" (Leave) to appeal against a High Court judgment. The SC has discretionary power to say "No" without giving detailed reasons.
  • "Dismissed": If you hear this, the High Court judgment stands.
  • "Notice Issued": The SC finds merit in the argument and asks the other side to respond.

3. "Suo Motu" Cognizance

  • Meaning: "On its own motion."
  • Scenario: The Court does not wait for a case to be filed. It reads a newspaper report (e.g., about a riot or oxygen shortage) and initiates a case itself, summoning the Government to explain. This shows the Court's activist role.

4. Amicus Curiae

  • Meaning: "Friend of the Court."
  • Role: In complex cases, the Court appoints a neutral, senior lawyer to assist them—not representing any side, but representing the law/justice.

5. "Judgment Reserved"

  • Meaning: The hearing is over. The judges will now go back to their chambers to write the verdict. This can take weeks or months. The live stream ends here for that case.

💻 The Digital Revolution: E-Courts & Transparency

The Supreme Court is rapidly digitizing.

1. E-SCR (Electronic Supreme Court Reports)

Previously, reading judgments required expensive subscriptions to legal journals. Now, the SC has launched E-SCR.

  • What is it? A free, digital repository of over 34,000 SC judgments.
  • Access: You can search by judge name, year, or topic on the official website.

2. SUVAS (Translation AI)

The Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software (SUVAS) is an AI tool used to translate judgments from English into regional languages (Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati, etc.). This ensures that a litigant in a village understands why they won or lost.

3. FASTER System

Fast and Secured Transmission of Electronic Records.

  • Formerly, prisoners granted bail had to wait days for the physical order to reach the jail. FASTER sends the authenticated digital order to the jailor instantly, ensuring immediate release.

To follow the proceedings intelligently, keep these tabs open:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I walk into the Supreme Court to watch?

Yes. The Supreme Court is an "Open Court."

  • Procedure: You need a visitor's pass. You can apply online via the "SuSwagatam" portal or at the reception counter.
  • Restrictions: Mobile phones, cameras, and bags are strictly prohibited inside courtrooms. You must leave them in the lockers.

Q2. Is the Supreme Court verdict final?

Mostly Yes. The SC is the final court of appeal.

  • Review Petition: You can ask the same bench to review their order (rarely succeeds).
  • Curative Petition: The absolute last resort. Heard by the top judges to cure a "gross miscarriage of justice."
  • Presidential Pardon: In death penalty cases, the President (Executive) can grant mercy even after the SC confirms the sentence.

Q3. Why are some hearings not streamed?

Currently, the SC prioritizes streaming Constitution Bench matters. Routine bail matters or matrimonial disputes heard by 2-judge benches are generally not streamed due to logistical limits and privacy concerns of the litigants.

Q4. Can I file a case in the Supreme Court directly?

Only if your Fundamental Rights (Article 12-35) are violated (under Article 32). For other disputes (property, contract, crime), you must go through the hierarchy: District Court -> High Court -> Supreme Court.

Q5. What language is used in the Court?

English. Article 348 of the Constitution mandates that proceedings in the Supreme Court shall be in English. However, lawyers sometimes use Hindi to explain a point if the context demands, but the official record and arguments are in English.

Stay tuned to Sansad Online for summaries of major verdicts. While the wheels of justice grind slowly, the live stream ensures you can now watch them turn in real-time.