## Report on the Supreme Court Amendment Rules, 2025
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes the Supreme Court Amendment Rules, 2025, as published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Subsection i. This amendment revises Schedule III of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, specifically Part IV concerning Subject Categories. The key finding is a reclassification and expansion of subject categories to include areas like Admiralty, Arbitration, Aviation, Banking, Taxation, Energy, Insolvency, Intellectual Property, and various sector-specific laws. This amendment likely aims to enhance the clarity and organization of case categorization within the Supreme Court.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview of the Supreme Court Amendment Rules, 2025, based solely on the provided policy text. It aims to clarify the changes introduced by this amendment to the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, focusing on the altered Subject Categories.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This document is an amendment to the Supreme Court Rules, 2013.
* **Core Objective:** The primary objective, inferred from the text, is to update and expand the Subject Categories (Part IV of the Third Schedule) within the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, to better reflect the evolving landscape of legal matters brought before the court.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The provided text suggests that the existing Subject Categories in the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, may have become outdated or insufficient to accurately classify the types of cases being filed. This amendment likely addresses this by introducing new and more specific categories, such as Insolvency Laws and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, and Intellectual Property Rights and Information Technology, reflecting the increasing importance of these areas in litigation. The refinement of categories within existing areas such as Taxation also points to a need for more precise classification.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This amendment focuses specifically on replacing Part IV (Subject Categories) of the Third Schedule in the Supreme Court Rules, 2013. The new Part IV introduces a detailed and categorized list of subject matters. Key changes include:
* **Addition of New Categories:** Entirely new subject categories have been added, including:
* Admiralty, Maritime Laws, Ports and Shipping
* Aviation Laws Airports
* Insolvency Laws and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
* Intellectual Property Rights Law and Information Technology
* **Detailed Sub-Categorization:** Existing and new categories are broken down into more specific subcategories, allowing for granular classification. For example, Arbitration Law is divided into petitions related to arbitrator appointment, challenges to arbitral awards, and enforcement of foreign awards.
* **Specific Legislation Mentioned:** The amendment explicitly references relevant legislation within each category, such as the RBI Act, Banking Regulation Act, Income Tax Act, Customs Act, and SEBI Act, providing clarity on the scope of each subject area.
* **Taxation Breakdown:** Direct and Indirect Taxation are separated into multiple categories, further delineating the types of cases covered under each.
The effect of these changes is a more comprehensive and organized system for categorizing cases before the Supreme Court. This should, in theory, improve efficiency and accuracy in case management.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The direct target audience includes:
* **Supreme Court Registry:** The amendment provides a revised framework for classifying cases, directly impacting their workflows.
* **Lawyers and Litigants:** Legal professionals need to be aware of these changes to properly classify cases when filing with the Supreme Court.
* **Judges:** Improved classification aids in efficient allocation and review of cases.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency:** The Supreme Court of India is the responsible body, as indicated by the notification issued under the authority of the court and signed by the Registrar.
* **Timelines:** The rules come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette (April 21, 2025).
* **Procedure:** The Registry will be responsible for implementing the updated subject categories in their case filing and management systems. Lawyers will need to familiarize themselves with the new categories for proper filing.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcomes of these changes are likely:
* **Improved Case Management:** More specific subject categories should enable more efficient sorting, routing, and tracking of cases within the Supreme Court.
* **Enhanced Clarity:** The detailed breakdown of categories, including specific legislation, will reduce ambiguity in case classification.
* **Better Data Analysis:** The refined categorization will allow for more accurate data analysis of the types of cases being brought before the Supreme Court.
**9. Conclusion:**
The Supreme Court Amendment Rules, 2025, represent a significant update to the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, specifically regarding the classification of case subject categories. The changes introduce a more granular and comprehensive system, reflecting the evolving legal landscape. These amendments are likely to have a positive impact on case management, clarity, and data analysis within the Supreme Court. The significance lies in its potential to streamline court processes and improve the administration of justice.
Key Entities Referenced
Supreme Court Rules, 2013: Principal rules amended by the Supreme Court Amendment Rules, 2025.
Supreme Court Amendment Rules, 2025: Rules further amending the Supreme Court Rules, 2013.
Order VIII, rule 8, subrule 1: Provision of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 under which the powers were conferred to make the amendment rules.
Arbitration Act, 1940: Related to matters arising out of applications under Section 8, removal of arbitrator, termination of mandate of arbitrator.
Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996: Related to matters arising out of applications under Section 8, removal of arbitrator, termination of mandate of arbitrator.
Sections 9 and 17: Sections of the Arbitration Act pertaining to orders.
Section 36: Section of the Arbitration Act pertaining to matters relating to execution.
Section 34: Section of the Arbitration Act pertaining to matters challenging to arbitral award.
Section 37: Section of the Arbitration Act pertaining to matters challenging to arbitral award.
RBI Act: Related to banking regulations.
Banking Regulation Act, 1949: Related to banking regulations.
Income Tax Act, 1961: Direct taxation statute.
Wealth Tax Act: Direct taxation statute.
Gift Tax Act, 1958: Direct taxation statute.
Excess Profits Tax Act: Direct taxation statute.
Business Profit Tax: Direct taxation statute.
Customs Act: Indirect taxation statute.
Customs Tariff Act: Indirect taxation statute.
Central Excise Act: Indirect taxation statute.
Central Excise Tariff Act: Indirect taxation statute.
Central Sales Tax Act: Indirect taxation statute.
Value Added Tax VAT: Indirect taxation statute.
State Sales Tax Act: Indirect taxation statute.
Service Tax: Indirect taxation statute.
Goods and Services Tax: Indirect taxation statute.
Integrated Goods and Services Tax: Indirect taxation statute.
State Goods and Services Tax: Indirect taxation statute.
UT Goods and Services Tax: Indirect taxation statute.
Hotel Receipts Tax Act: Indirect taxation statute.
Gold Control Act: Indirect taxation statute.
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016: Law related to Insolvency.
SEBI Act: Act related to securities laws.
Forward Contracts Regulation Act, 1952: Act related to securities laws.
Securities Contracts Regulation Act, 1956: Act related to securities laws.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
xxxGIDHxxx
ससीी..जजीी..--डडीी..एएलल..--अअ..--2211004422002255--226622557733
xxxGIDExxx
CCGG--DDLL--EE--2211004422002255--226622557733
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (i)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 201] नई दिल्ली, सोमवार , अप्रलै 21, 2025/ विै ाख 1 , 1947
No. 201] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2025/VAISAKHA 1, 1947
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 21st April, 2025
G.S.R. 240 (E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by Order VIII, rule 8, sub-rule (1),
last proviso of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, the
Supreme Court hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Supreme Court Rules, 2013,
namely:-
1. (1) These rules may be called the Supreme Court (Amendment) Rules, 2025.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official
Gazette.
2. In the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, In Schedule III in place of Part IV Subject Categories, the
following Part IV - Subject Categories shall be inserted, namely:-
2640 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
PART-IV of THIRD SCHEDULE
SUBJECT CATEGORIES
01 ADMIRALTY, MARITIME LAWS, PORTS AND SHIPPING
0101 Admiralty, Maritime Laws, Ports And Shipping
03 ARBITRATION LAW
0301 Section 11 petitions filed before the Supreme Court
SLPs relating to appointment of arbitrator, arising out of applications under
0302 Section 8, removal of arbitrator, termination of mandate of arbitrator under
Arbitration Act, 1940 and Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
Matters arising out of orders passed under Sections 9 and 17 of the Arbitration
0303
Act
Challenge to arbitral award, matters relating to execution under Section 36, under
0304 Section 34/Section 37 of the 1996 Act and challenges to arbitral award under 1940
Act
0305 Challenge to/enforcement of a foreign arbitral award
05 AVIATION LAWS / AIRPORTS
0501 Aviation Laws & Airports
06 BANKING
0601 RBI Act and Banking Regulation Act, 1949
Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of
0602 Security Interest, debt recovery by banks and financial institutions, Cooperative
Banks, Negotiable Instruments [other than criminal prosecution]
0603 Mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, bank guarantee, Money Lending Acts
09 CIVIL LAW
0903 Partnership Act, Sale of Goods Act, Contract Act
10 COMPANY LAW, SICK INDUSTRIES INCLUDING DISINVESTMENT
1001 Company Law, Sick industries including disinvestment
12 COMPETITION LAWS/MRTP
1201 Competition Laws / MRTP
16 DIRECT TAXATION
Income Tax Act, 1961, Wealth Tax Act, Gift Tax Act, 1958, Excess Profits Tax
1601
Act, Business Profit Tax, [other than those covered by categories 1602 - 1605]
1602 International Taxation, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, Transfer Pricing
1603 Settlement Commission, Voluntary Disclosure Schemes, Black money
1604 Penalties/Prosecution under Income Tax Act and other Direct Tax Statutes
Matters challenging validity of the Direct Tax Statutes, Circulars, Orders,
1605
Notifications, Rules
1606 Others[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
ENERGY LAWS – ELECTRICITY, PETROLEUM, OIL AND NATURAL
19
GAS
1901 Energy laws – Electricity, Petroleum, Oil and Natural Gas
1902 Dealership and distribution of Petroleum products
24 INDIRECT TAXATION
2401 Customs Act, Customs Tariff Act, Export, Import and Anti-Dumping duty
2402 Central Excise Act, Central Excise Tariff Act
2403 Central Sales Tax Act
2404 Value Added Tax (VAT), State Sales Tax Act
2405 Service Tax
Goods and Services Tax, Integrated Goods and Services Tax, State Goods and
2406
Services Tax, UT Goods and Services Tax
Entry tax, motor vehicle tax, purchase tax, entertainment tax, terminal tax,
2407 octroi, toll tax, professional tax, Gold Control Act, Hotel Receipts Tax Act,
Water and sewage Tax, luxury tax, Cess Acts
2408 Prosecutions under Indirect Tax Statutes
Matters challenging validity of Indirect Tax Statutes, Circulars, Orders,
2409
Notifications, Rules
2410 Others
INSOLVENCY LAWS AND INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY CODE,
25
2016
2501 Insolvency Laws and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
26 INSURANCE LAWS & REGULATIONS
2601 Insurance Laws & Regulations
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS LAW AND
27
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
2701 Copyright, patent, trade mark, design, passing off
2702 Information Technology, Data protection
32 LOTTERIES, BETTING, GAMBLING
3201 Lotteries, betting, gambling
33 MINES, MINERALS, MINING LEASES
Grant/renewal and/or cancellation of reconnaissance permits, prospecting
3301 licenses and/or mining leases, payment of royalty under any Central or State
statute
3302 Minor Minerals, State laws and Minor Minerals Concessions rules
3303 Others [but not including environmental clearance]
37 PROPERTY TAX
3701 Property Tax4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
SEBI ACT AND SECURITIES LAWS INCLUDING FORWARD
42 CONTRACTS (REGULATION) ACT, 1952 AND SECURITIES
CONTRACTS (REGULATION) ACT, 1956
SEBI Act and Securities Laws Including Forward Contracts (Regulation)
4201
Act, 1952 And Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956
STATE EXCISE – TRADING IN LIQUOR – PRIVILEGES, LICENSES
44
DISTILLERIES/ BREWERIES
4401 State excise – Trading in Liquor – Privileges, Licenses Distilleries Breweries
45 TELEGRAPH & TELECOM LAWS
4501 Telegraph & Telecom laws
46 TENDERS/LICENSES/LEASES
Tenders/licenses/leases invited by Union/ UTs/ Central public sector
4601
undertakings, including cancellation/ award of tenders.
Tenders/licenses/leases invited by the State Governments/ local bodies/ State
4602
public sector undertakings, including cancellation/award of tenders.
[F. No.2/2025/SCR]
By Order,
PRADIP Y. LADEKAR, Registrar (SCR)
Note.- The principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-
section (I) vide number G.S.R. 368(E), dated 29th May, 2014 and subsequently amended vide
notification number G.S.R. 670(E), dated 18th September, 2019, G.S.R. 457(E), dated 29th July, 2024
and G.S.R. 688(E), dated 5th November, 2024 and G.S.R. 163(E), dated 7th March, 2025.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.