The Union government has informed Parliament that Jammu and Kashmir currently has 43 vacant positions in district and subordinate courts.
The figures were presented in response to a query regarding pending cases in courts and judicial vacancies across the country by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal.
According to official data, the sanctioned strength of judicial officers in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 322 as of February 3, 2025. Of these, 43 positions remain unfilled.
Over the past five years, the number of sanctioned positions has increased. In December 2020, the sanctioned strength was 296, with 41 vacancies.
By December 2021, the sanctioned strength rose to 300, while vacancies increased to 59. In December 2022, the sanctioned strength reached 314, with 91 vacancies. By December 2023, the number of sanctioned posts had increased to 317, with 94 vacancies.
The latest data shows that while the sanctioned strength has grown to 322, the number of vacant positions has decreased to 43.
The government also provided data for Ladakh, where the sanctioned strength of judicial officers remains at 17, with six vacancies—(KNO)
