The Assam government is processing a proposal to create 11 new judges’ posts for the state’s judiciary, Judicial Minister Susanta Borgohain informed the Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday, July 16, 2026. The government also indicated its readiness to consider additional recruitment proposals from the Gauhati High Court.
This initiative aims to bolster the judicial system in Assam, addressing long-standing issues of case pendency and strengthening the delivery of justice across subordinate courts and the High Court. The move is part of broader efforts by the state government to enhance judicial infrastructure and efficiency, reflecting a commitment to timely legal redressal for citizens.
What was announced
Judicial Minister Susanta Borgohain announced the proposal during the ongoing session of the Assam Legislative Assembly. He confirmed that the plan to establish 11 new judges’ posts is currently under review. The Minister further stated that the government remains receptive to future proposals for judicial recruitment that may be put forth by the Gauhati High Court.
The disclosure was made as part of a series of key announcements and updates presented by various ministers in the Assembly, covering diverse aspects of governance and public welfare. Minister Borgohain was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister on June 5, 2026, as part of a cabinet expansion by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Why it matters
The creation of new judicial positions is critical for mitigating the significant backlog of cases in Assam’s courts. Minister Borgohain highlighted the gravity of the situation, revealing that 265 cases have been pending for over 20 years in subordinate courts across the state. Additionally, 10 such long-pending cases are awaiting resolution before the Principal Seat of the Gauhati High Court.
Nationally, judicial pendency remains a formidable challenge. At the close of 2025, a staggering 54 million cases were pending across the Supreme Court, High Courts, and district and subordinate courts in India. District and subordinate courts alone accounted for nearly 48 million of these cases. The overall pendency has surged by 80% over the last decade. In district and subordinate courts, approximately one in three cases has been pending for more than five years, with one in ten exceeding a decade.
For Assam, increasing the number of judges is expected to accelerate case disposal rates, thereby improving access to justice and enhancing public trust in the legal system. This is particularly crucial given past statistics, such as the low conviction rate of 4.4% in crimes against women in Assam in 2019, when 66,521 such cases were pending trial. The addition of judicial personnel is a direct measure to expedite the justice delivery mechanism.
Background
The Assam government, under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has consistently emphasized the importance of strengthening the state’s judicial infrastructure and capacity. This latest proposal builds upon a series of initiatives aimed at modernizing and expanding the judiciary.
In September 2022, Chief Minister Sarma had announced the state government’s intention to create approximately 100 new positions in the lower judiciary, underscoring a strategic approach to faster justice dispensation. At that time, he also noted that Assam was slated to receive around Rs 300 crore from a Rs 9,000 crore central government allocation for judicial infrastructure development, with the state committing an additional Rs 300 crore.
Recent years have seen significant investments in judicial infrastructure. New district judicial court buildings have been inaugurated in Barpeta, with complexes in Bokakhat and Dhubri nearing completion. District judiciaries have also been established in newly formed districts, including South Salmara-Mankachar, Bajali, Biswanath, Majuli, and West Karbi Anglong, accompanied by the creation of 176 positions for judicial officials and staff in these areas.
Further demonstrating this commitment, the foundation stone for an Integrated Judicial Court Complex at Rang Mahal, North Guwahati, was laid on January 11, 2026, by the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant. This complex is envisioned to feature modern amenities, digital courtrooms, and enhanced security. Moreover, Law Minister Susanta Borgohain announced on July 6, 2026, the establishment of new benches of the Gauhati High Court in Dibrugarh and Barak Valley, a move intended to improve access to justice and reduce travel burdens for litigants in Upper Assam and the southern region.
Key details
The proposal currently under process is for the creation of 11 new judges’ posts. This announcement was made by Judicial Minister Susanta Borgohain in the Assam Legislative Assembly on July 16, 2026. The government has expressed its willingness to consider further proposals for recruitment from the Gauhati High Court, indicating a flexible and responsive approach to the judiciary’s needs.
What’s next
Following the current “under process” status, the proposal for the 11 new judges’ posts will require formal approval from the competent authorities within the state government and the judiciary. Once approved, the Gauhati High Court, which is responsible for judicial appointments in the state, would initiate the recruitment process.
Judicial recruitment in Assam typically involves a multi-stage selection process, including a preliminary examination, a main written examination, and a viva voce (interview). The Gauhati High Court has been actively involved in recruitment drives; for instance, a notification for 22 vacancies in Grade-III of the Assam Judicial Service was released on February 7, 2026. Additionally, a recruitment notification for 11 Grade-I posts in the Assam Judicial Service was issued in 2025, with applications accepted between August 27, 2025, and September 14, 2025. These ongoing efforts highlight the continuous push to fill judicial vacancies and strengthen the state’s legal framework.