Today, On 16th June, the Supreme Court of India officially notified changes to its office working hours under the Supreme Court (Amendment) Rules, 2025. Effective from July 14, no work will continue after 4:30 PM unless marked as urgent.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India officially announced a change in its office working hours through the Supreme Court (Amendment) Rules, 2025, effective July 14, 2025.
This amendment was made under the authority of Article 145 of the Constitution of India, with the approval of the President.
The notification published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) on June 14, 2025, under G.S.R. 385(E).
The amendment replaces the existing Rules 1 to 3 of Order II from the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, aiming to provide clarity and structure to the Court’s operational days and hours.
The new rules state,
“ Except during partial Court working days and on Saturdays and holidays, the offices of the Court, shall, subject to any order by the Chief Justice, be open daily from 10.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M., but no work, unless of an urgent nature, shall be admitted after 4.30 P.M.”
This indicates that on regular working days, the Supreme Court registry offices will operate from 10 AM to 5 PM, with no new work accepted after 4:30 PM unless it is urgent. The Chief Justice has the discretion to issue different orders regarding these hours.
The revised rules also detail Saturday working hours,
“The offices of the Court shall, except during partial Court working days, be open on Saturdays from 10.00 A.M. to 1.00 P.M., but no work, unless of an urgent nature, shall be admitted after 12 Noon.”
This formalizes Saturday working hours, limiting work to urgent matters after 12 noon.
Lastly, the notification addresses operations during partial court days or festive breaks.
“Except on the days which are holidays both for the Court and the offices of the Court, the offices of the Court shall be open during partial Court working days and Christmas and New Year holidays of the Court at such times as the Chief Justice may direct.”
During Christmas and New Year breaks or partial court working days, the offices will still be open, with timings determined by the Chief Justice.
This amendment replaces the previous provisions of Rules 1 to 3 of Order II of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, which had been modified by several notifications, including G.S.R. 368(E) dated May 29, 2014, G.S.R. 670(E) dated September 18, 2019, G.S.R. 457(E) dated July 16, 2024, G.S.R. 688(E) dated November 5, 2024, and G.S.R. 163(E) dated March 7, 2025.
The notification was signed by Kuntal Sharma Pathak, OSD (Registrar), under file number F. No. 22/Cal/2025/SCA(G).
These new timings are designed to enhance the efficiency of the Court’s administrative offices, fostering better organization in managing filings and urgent matters.
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