As India’s apex court enters a pivotal year, 2026 will see hearings in a series of high-impact cases involving constitutional rights, electoral processes, governance reforms and social regulation, decisions that could shape the country’s legal and political landscape.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India is heading into a crucial phase in 2026, with a packed docket of cases that are expected to influence the country’s constitutional structure, electoral processes, economy and social governance.
Several of these matters involve new and controversial legislation, questions around democratic institutions, and disputes that directly affect citizens’ rights, ranging from online gaming regulations and religious conversion laws to electoral roll revisions, judicial accountability and public safety concerns such as stray dog management. Together, these cases are poised to have long-lasting legal and political repercussions.
Here is a detailed look at the most important Supreme Court cases likely to be heard in 2026.
1. Constitutional Challenge to the Online Gaming Act, 2025
The Supreme Court will hear a constitutional challenge to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, filed by Head Digital Works Pvt Ltd.
The petitioner has questioned Parliament’s authority to impose a blanket ban on real-money online games, arguing that games of skill such as rummy and poker cannot be equated with gambling.
The company has challenged several provisions of the Act and urged the court to read safeguards into Sections 14, 15 and 16, which deal with investigation and enforcement. It has also sought interim relief, including:
- A stay on provisions affecting games of skill
- Protection from coercive action by the Union government
2. Land Encroachment and Eviction Case
The apex court will revisit a sensitive land encroachment dispute involving around 29 acres of Indian Railways land in the areas of Gafoor Basti, Dholak Basti and Indira Nagar.
Authorities had identified 4,365 alleged encroachments, leading the High Court in January 2017 to order eviction. The Supreme Court later stayed the order, citing concerns that nearly 50,000 people could be evicted overnight.
Likely hearing: January 2026
3. Challenge to Anti-Conversion Laws
A batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of anti-conversion laws enacted by states such as Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana is pending before the court.
The NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace has highlighted the urgency of the matter, pointing out that some states are amending these laws to make them more stringent.
Notably:
- The Gujarat High Court has stayed certain provisions of its law
- The Madhya Pradesh High Court has stayed one provision
Likely hearing: January 2026
4. Justice Yashwant Verma Corruption Probe
The Supreme Court will hear a writ petition filed by Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Verma, challenging the legality of a committee constituted by the Lok Sabha Speaker to probe corruption allegations against him.
The case arose after unaccounted cash was reportedly found at his official residence during a fire incident earlier this year. Justice Verma has questioned the Speaker’s decision, arguing that due procedure was not followed.
5. Plea Against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls
The court is hearing multiple petitions challenging the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, initially conducted in Bihar and later expanded to other states.
While the Supreme Court refused to stay the exercise, concerns have been raised about:
- Arbitrary deletions
- Voter disenfranchisement
The EC has since extended the revision process to nine more states and three Union Territories.
Likely hearing: January 2026
6. Challenge to Sedition-Like Provision Under BNS
The constitutional validity of Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is under challenge, with petitioners arguing that it effectively revives the colonial-era sedition law previously contained in Section 124A of the IPC.
The provision criminalises acts that allegedly promote:
- Secession
- Armed rebellion
- Subversive or separatist activities
A bench led by former CJI B R Gavai has issued notice and tagged the matter with similar pending petitions.
7. Challenge to the Election Commissioners Appointment Act, 2023
Petitions filed by Dr Jaya Thakur, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and others challenge the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023.
The law removed the Chief Justice of India from the appointment panel, a move alleged to violate the Supreme Court’s 2023 Anoop Baranwal judgment, which mandated a selection committee comprising:
- The Prime Minister
- The Chief Justice of India
- The Leader of the Opposition
Likely hearing: January 2026
8. Stray Dogs Regulation Case
The Supreme Court is also hearing a suo motu case concerning stray dog attacks in Delhi-NCR, following reports of fatal incidents.
While an earlier directive ordered the permanent sheltering of all stray dogs, the court later modified its stance after objections from animal welfare groups.
Key developments include:
- Staying the order for permanent confinement
- Allowing the release of dogs after sterilisation and vaccination
- Expanding the case to cover all states and Union Territories
Next hearing: January 7, 2026
9. ‘Builder-Bank Nexus’ and Indiabulls Case
The court is monitoring allegations of round-tripping, fund siphoning and regulatory violations involving Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd (now Sammaan Capital).
The Supreme Court has directed the CBI Director to decide on forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and has questioned regulatory bodies like SEBI and SFIO for their reluctance to act.
Likely hearing: January 2026
ALSO READ: 2025 in Legal History: 10 Supreme Court Rulings That Redefined Governance
10. Waqf Amendment Act, 2025
Multiple petitions challenge the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, alleging that it violates Article 26 of the Constitution, which protects the right of religious communities to manage their own affairs.
The Supreme Court has already:
- Stayed provisions granting extensive powers to district collectors
- Suspended rules requiring five years of religious practice to create a Waqf
- Capped the number of non-Muslims on Waqf boards
The case involves nearly 65 petitions and remains one of the most significant constitutional disputes of the year.
The Supreme Court’s 2026 list of cases reflects the scope and complexity of India’s legal challenges, spanning governance, civil liberties, religious freedom, electoral integrity and public safety.
With many of these matters expected to be heard in January 2026, the coming year promises to be one of the most consequential for India’s constitutional jurisprudence.
