The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice presented its 164th Report on March 16, 2026, scrutinising the ₹417.76 crore budget allocation for the Department of Legal Affairs.The report reflects growth in the Committee’s focus on institutional capacity, noting a 17.29% shortfall between the Department's projected requirement (₹505.145 crore) and actual allocation. Key recommendations emphasize the urgent need to fill vacancies in the Indian Legal Service (ILS) and the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), while also calling for the modernization of the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC). These structural improvements are supported by a push for digital integration, including the automation of litigation processes through the LIMBS portal and the expansion of E-Lok Adalats to reduce the massive backlog of government cases.
Key Recommendations from the 164th Report
Budgetary Realignment: Addressing the ₹87.385 crore funding shortfall to ensure that operational and institutional commitments, particularly for Branch Secretariats like Chennai, are not adversely impacted.
Judicial Vacancy Management: Expeditiously filling 27 vacant Member posts in the ITAT and 12 vacant Additional Solicitors General positions in various High Courts.
Notary Service Expansion: Ensuring the timely issuance of Certificates of Practice to improve access to notarial services in rural and underserved areas.
Digital Litigation Monitoring: Integrating the Legal Information Management & Briefing System (LIMBS)with the e-Courts platform using AI and data visualization tools.
Arbitration Leadership: Expediting the appointment of the Governing Body for the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC) to maintain institutional credibility.
Case Pendency Reduction: Strengthening Fast Track Courts and expanding E-Lok Adalats, which have already disposed of 1.34 crore cases as of November 2025.
What is "LIMBS"? LIMBS (Legal Information Management & Briefing System) is a unified digital platform developed to monitor and manage Government litigation across all Ministries and Departments. It acts as a primary tool for tracking case status and legal expenditure, helping to identify repetitive or avoidable litigation. The 164th report suggests that the integration of LIMBS with e-Courts plays a role in streamlining the processing of advocate bills and facilitating informed decision-making. This digital shift is supported by the goal of reducing the overall pendency of government cases and improving the efficiency of the Union of India's legal representation in various courts.
Policy Relevance: Reforming the Government's Legal Infrastructure
Strengthening Institutional Capacity: Filling vacancies in the ILS cadre and notifying new recruitment rules reflects growth in the government's ability to handle complex legal and legislative matters.
Modernizing Dispute Resolution: The focus on the IIAC and E-Lok Adalats plays a role in positioning India as a hub for commercial arbitration and amicable settlements.
Enhancing Rural Legal Access: Periodic reviews of notary strength and fee structures are supported by the objective of making essential legal services affordable and accessible in smaller towns.
Improving Financial Accountability: Closer monitoring of ITAT infrastructure projects contributes topreventing cost escalations and ensuring the timely shifting of Benches to permanent premises.
Follow the Full Release Here: 164th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice
