17 June, 2025, the Supreme Court of India has formally declared amendments to the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 revising the working hours of judicial offices. These changes are implemented under the powers conferred by Article 145 of the Constitution of India and will come into force on 14th July 2025 after approval by the President of India.

The amendments are included in the newly issued Supreme Court (Amendment) Rules, 2025, which introduce a completely new framework for the day-to-day working of the court offices. Explicitly, the amendments replace Rules 1 to 3 of Order II of the existing Rules, announcing revised timelines and procedural adjustments with respect to court’s administrative functions.

Under the Amended Rules:

• Regular Court Days: Court offices will remain open from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. However, no new work other than matters of an immediate nature will be accepted after 4:30 p.m.
• Saturdays: On Saturdays (excluding partial court working days), court offices shall operate from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. As with weekdays, non-urgent matters shall not be accepted after 12:00 noon.
• Partial Working Days & Holidays: During partial court working days, as well as during Christmas and New Year holidays, the court offices will remain open as per the instructions issued by the Chief Justice of India. The power to decide specific working hours on such days has been expressly vested in the Chief Justice.

The amendment aims to reorganize court operations and ensure more competent management of administrative responsibilities, principally during non-standard working periods such as holidays and partial sitting days.