India Justice Report 2025

April 16, 2025

The India Justice Report (IJR) 2025 marks disparities in justice delivery across India. Released in April 2025, the report ranks states based on their capacity to deliver justice. Southern states dominate the rankings, with Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana at the forefront. The report assesses four critical pillars – police, judiciary, prisons, and legal aid. Despite some progress, it reveals persistent issues in representation and infrastructure.

Ranking Overview

The IJR 2025 ranks Karnataka as the top large state, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Kerala and Tamil Nadu complete the top five. Among smaller states, Sikkim retains its first position. The rankings are based on data-driven assessments of justice delivery systems.

Police Force Challenges

The report indicates gender gap in the police force. Fewer than 1,000 women hold senior positions among over 20 lakh personnel. No state meets its own quotas for women in police. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are also underrepresented in officer ranks. Despite improvements in women’s help desks and CCTV surveillance, many police stations lack basic facilities.

Judiciary Concerns

India’s judiciary faces a shortage of judges. With only 15 judges per million people, it falls short of the Law Commission’s recommendation of 50. High Court vacancies are alarming, with one in three positions unfilled. District courts are overwhelmed, averaging 2,200 cases per judge. Women constitute 38% of district judges but only 14% at the High Court level.

Prison System Issues

The prison system is under severe strain. National average occupancy stands at 131%, with some facilities exceeding capacity. Undertrials make up 76% of inmates. Health care is inadequate, with a poor prisoner-doctor ratio. Video conferencing has improved communication, yet many issues remain unresolved.

Legal Aid Accessibility

Legal aid remains underfunded. The national per capita spend on legal aid is a mere ₹6 annually. This lack of financial support affects accessibility for those in need. Although some states have improved their legal aid budgets, many still fall short in providing adequate legal support.

State-Specific

Tamil Nadu excels in prison management but struggles in policing and legal aid. Karnataka is the only state meeting quotas in both police and judiciary. Uttar Pradesh has the most overcrowded prisons, while Bihar leads in the percentage of women in the state police. Gujarat faces high vacancies in judicial positions.

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