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Are Supreme Court hearings live-streamed?

Are Supreme Court hearings live-streamed?

23-Jul-2025

Supreme Court

Answer By law4u team

Yes, Supreme Court hearings in India are live-streamed, but only select Constitution Bench proceedings are currently streamed live. Here are the key points: The Supreme Court began live-streaming Constitution Bench hearings from September 27, 2022. Live-streaming is done through the Supreme Court’s official YouTube channel and National Informatics Centre (NIC) portal. Not all cases are live-streamed — only important constitutional matters heard by Constitution Benches (bench of 5 or more judges) are live-streamed. The move is based on the 2018 judgment in Swapnil Tripathi v. Supreme Court of India, which upheld the public's right to access court proceedings. So, while routine matters and smaller benches are not live-streamed, major constitutional cases are accessible to the public online.

Answer By Ayantika Mondal

Dear Client, Live streaming is available for Supreme Court hearings but only in certain situations. After the ruling in the Swapnil Tripathi v. Supreme Court case. Live streaming of Supreme Court of India cases was implemented to encourage openness and public access to court proceedings. Constitution Bench cases and cases of national or constitutional significance are usually streamed live. Live streaming isn't available for every hearing though. To preserve public interest and privacy sensitive topics like marital conflicts, sexual offenses or national security are typically left out. A proceedings live-streaming status is decided by the bench hearing the case. I hope this answer helps. In case of future queries, please feel free to contact us. Thank you.

Answer By Ayantika Mondal

Dear Client, Yes, the Supreme Court of India is now live-streaming its proceedings, although with some limitations. In a major judgment in Swapnil Tripathi v. Supreme Court of India (2018) the Court recognized that live streaming is a step towards greater transparency and better access to justice. In 2022, on the 27th of September, the Supreme Court introduced that they would be live streaming their proceedings to the public which at that point was a first. Since that which was reported out went out to a ceremonial bench which was headed by the Chief Justice of India. Also since that which I report that from that point forward we saw live reports of the courts’ doings in the constitutional benches as well as issues of national import which were made available to the public via the Supreme Court’s site and also the Supreme Court’s page on YouTube. However in many cases we do not have live streaming. What we exclude are those which are sensitive which may include privacy issues, family matters, or any which may be affected by public report which in turn may tamper with the justice also the Court which is which is at full discretion in what they choose to put on air. In that which we do report the Supreme Court does allow for live streaming what is done is in regard to certain cases of constitutional and national importance which in turn we see as the court’s way of balancing transparency and judicial decorum. I wish that my answer has resolved your issues. Also don’t think twice before reaching out for more questions. Thank you!