Supreme Court adopts work-from-home model after PM Modi’s fuel-saving appeal

Rashmi Pandey — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:30:22 +0000

The Supreme Court of India on Friday issued a new set of working guidelines aimed at reducing fuel consumption, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal for fuel conservation amid rising global energy concerns and disruptions linked to the West Asia crisis.

Under the new arrangements, staff members across all departments of the apex court will be allowed to work from home for two days a week. The court has also decided that all judges will adopt carpooling arrangements while travelling for official court work.

According to the circular issued by Supreme Court Secretary General Bharat Parashar, nearly 50 percent of the registry staff will also function remotely as part of the revised operational system.

The court further announced that hearings of listed matters on Mondays, Fridays and miscellaneous hearing days would primarily take place through video conferencing. In addition, online hearings may continue on other working days depending on administrative requirements and case schedules.

Officials said the move is intended to reduce fuel consumption, traffic movement and operational pressure while ensuring uninterrupted judicial functioning through digital infrastructure. The Supreme Court had extensively relied on virtual hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic, after which hybrid court proceedings continued in several cases.

The circular directed the registry department to ensure that video conferencing links are sent on time and that technical support remains available throughout proceedings to prevent disruption in court functioning.

The latest guidelines come amid broader discussions around energy conservation and administrative efficiency as global crude oil markets remain volatile due to tensions in the Middle East and concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz shipping route. India imports a significant portion of its energy requirements, making fuel management and conservation a key policy concern during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.

Legal observers said the Supreme Court’s decision could influence working models in other government institutions and judicial bodies if similar energy-saving measures are adopted nationwide. The move also reflects the judiciary’s increasing integration of digital systems and remote-access mechanisms introduced during recent years.

The Supreme Court has previously used hybrid and virtual hearing systems for urgent matters, constitutional benches and administrative convenience. Officials indicated that further adjustments to court operations may be considered depending on evolving national requirements and technological readiness.

FuelSaving | Business Upturn

Supreme Court adopts work-from-home model after PM Modi’s fuel-saving appeal