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Digital News Publishers Association vs Union of India — Challenge to Digital Personal Data Protection Act

The Digital News Publishers Association has challenged the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and its 2025 rules in the Supreme Court, alleging that the lack of journalistic exemptions infringes upon press freedom. On 27 October 2026, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Union of India regarding the plea and the association's interim prayer for a stay on the challenged provisions. The court instructed the petitioners to propose safeguards to balance press rights with data misuse prevention.

Transfer petition regarding PIL on Vande Mataram status

The Supreme Court is hearing a petition to transfer a public interest litigation from the Delhi High Court that seeks to grant the song Vande Mataram status equal to the national anthem and establish national policy guidelines for educational institutions. On 27 October 2026, the Supreme Court issued a formal notice to the Union Government regarding this transfer petition and requested a response to related petitions challenging the use of the full six-stanza version of the song.

In re: Challenge to Form 6 procedural changes

The Supreme Court is hearing a challenge to procedural changes in Form 6 voter registration, with critics alleging the process forces deleted voters to make potentially false declarations. In an affidavit submitted on 26 October 2026, the Election Commission of India stated that Form 6 itself remains unchanged and that legal authority for such modifications rests with the central government. The court has scheduled a hearing for 27 October 2026, with an order expected on 28 October 2026.

Dr. Sandip Ghosh vs Union of India and others

Former RG Kar Medical College principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh sought to restrain media reporting on an investigation before facing Central Bureau of Investigation inquiries into financial irregularities. The Supreme Court of India granted bail to Dr. Sandip Ghosh on 15 October 2026. As reported on 24 October 2026, the parents of the victim in the RG Kar Medical College case expressed concerns regarding this bail decision.

Union of India vs State of Jharkhand — Contempt petition regarding DGP appointment

The Supreme Court is hearing a contempt petition by the Union of India alleging that the State of Jharkhand violated Prakash Singh judgment guidelines regarding the appointment of its Director General of Police. As reported on 17 October 2026, the Court has expanded the scope of the matter to include a nationwide review of police laws and DGP appointment procedures, with the amicus curiae directed to examine compliance across all states.

In re: Regulation of protests in Delhi

The Delhi High Court is hearing petitions from a trader and advocate Rishabh Saxena seeking a standard operating procedure to regulate public protests in the national capital to mitigate traffic disruptions and business losses. On 13 October 2026, the court directed the Central government to respond to these requests while seeking clarity on related proceedings in the Supreme Court. On 16 October 2026, the court recorded an assurance from the Delhi Police to regulate a specific protest by the Citizens for Justice and Peace in Connaught Place.

In re: Alleged illegal detention and police excess during Delhi CEC protests

The Supreme Court is hearing petitions alleging police excesses and illegal detention of protesters during recent demonstrations against the CEC in Delhi. While the Delhi Police Commissioner submitted an unconditional apology and an affidavit on 15 October 2026 defending the detentions, the Supreme Court directed the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners on 16 October 2026 to file personal affidavits regarding internal decision-making processes.

Mahua Moitra vs State of West Bengal — Circuit House accommodation dispute

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra challenged a district requirement for three days' advance booking to stay at the Krishnanagar Circuit House in West Bengal. On 16 October 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that the restriction was retaliatory and directed authorities to grant the MP access to the facility upon one day's notice. The court also ordered the state government to cooperate with the MP during her constituency visits for Durga Puja and Diwali.

Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) vs Union of India — Challenge to immunity for Election Commissioners

The Supreme Court is hearing consolidated petitions, including those from ADR and RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha, that challenge the constitutionality of Section 16 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023. Petitioners contend that granting lifelong legal immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners constitutes a fraud on the Constitution. As of 16 October 2026, the Court has questioned the precedent for such post-retirement protection while the matter remains pending.

Habeas corpus petition against detention of political leaders

Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy challenged the detention of political leaders by Delhi Police during protests against the Chief Election Commissioner before the Supreme Court. While the Supreme Court issued notices to authorities on 11 October 2026 and ordered that future detentions strictly follow due process, the Madhya Pradesh High Court disposed of similar habeas corpus petitions on 13 October 2026 after detainees were returned to their families. Additional petitions regarding protest-related disturbances were scheduled for hearing as of 12 October 2026.

In re: Caste data verification in 2027 Census

A public interest litigation has been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the practice of self-declaration of caste status during the 2027 Census. The petitioners seek a transparent mechanism and a formal Standard Operating Procedure for the verification of caste information to ensure the accuracy of data used for public policy.

Shiv Sena Split Case

The Supreme Court is hearing a dispute over the identity of the Shiv Sena party, examining whether a split in a legislature party equates to a split in the political party and the validity of the Election Commission of India's organisational majority test. The proceedings focus on the implications of legislative defections and internal party democracy under a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, with the final hearing concluding as of 15 September 2026.

RIT Foundation and others vs Union of India — Marital Rape Criminalisation

The Supreme Court is hearing a batch of petitions challenging the constitutionality of the marital rape exception under the Indian Penal Code, following a split verdict from the Delhi High Court. As of 14 September 2026, the Court has directed the Union Government to clarify its position while observing during proceedings that marriage does not extinguish an individual's autonomy.

Prakash Singh vs Union of India

Prakash Singh vs Union of India is a landmark public interest litigation mandating comprehensive police reforms across India to ensure the independence and accountability of police forces. As reported on 7 September 2026, the case is before the Supreme Court, where the amicus curiae challenged the Odisha government's procedure for appointing the Director General of Police, alleging it violates the established directives on police appointments.

Challenge to the Transgender Persons Amendment Act, 2026 — self-identification

The Supreme Court is examining petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Transgender Persons Amendment Act, 2026, on the grounds that it restricts the right to self-identification. As reported on 17 August 2026, the Union Government defended the law before a three-judge bench, arguing that permitting self-perceived identity would make 169 statutory provisions unworkable. The court has directed the Union to further evaluate the impact of the 2026 amendment.

Uddhav Thackeray vs Eknath Shinde

This dispute involves competing claims over the leadership and identity of the Shiv Sena party following a political crisis in Maharashtra. As of 11 August 2026, the Supreme Court is conducting final hearings on petitions challenging the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker’s refusal to disqualify MLAs. The Uddhav Thackeray faction has also challenged the jurisdiction of the Election Commission in these ongoing proceedings.

National Register of Citizens (NRC) verification process

The Supreme Court is overseeing the National Register of Citizens process in Assam, specifically addressing the rights of those excluded and the issuance of identity documents. As reported on 22 July 2026, the Court issued notices to the Union and Assam governments regarding the lack of an appellate mechanism for over 19 lakh excluded individuals. Furthermore, as reported on 10 August 2026, the Court directed these governments to respond to petitions advocating for the issuance of identity cards to individuals included in the NRC.

Indian Young Lawyers Association vs State of Kerala — Sabarimala review case

A nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court is hearing a reference arising from the 2018 Sabarimala verdict to examine broader questions of religious freedom, the Essential Religious Practices test, and the maintainability of Public Interest Litigation. As of 12 May 2026, the court has questioned the locus standi of the original petitioners and expanded the scope of the reference to include issues such as Parsi excommunications.

State of Kerala vs Union of India — Borrowing limits case

The State of Kerala challenged the Union of India's imposition of net borrowing ceilings on the state, citing constitutional provisions under Article 293.

Union of India vs. Jarnail Singh — Reservation in Promotion

The Supreme Court considered the implementation of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in government job promotions. On 28 January 2022, the Supreme Court delivered a final judgment providing directions on the application of these quotas in government services.