The National Litigation Policy (NLP) aims to reduce government-related litigation and promote efficient legal case management across government bodies. Initially launched in 2010, the policy was revised in 2017 by the Committee of Secretaries to emphasize alternative dispute resolution (ADR), swift decision-making, and minimizing unnecessary appeals and repetitive cases.
The revision was necessitated by the continued high volume of government litigation, which contributed to judicial delays and heavy financial costs. The updated policy introduces clear accountability mechanisms and streamlined guidelines to prevent frivolous, repetitive, or avoidable legal actions by ministries and departments.
As of April 2025, ministries are mandated to follow a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for litigation management. Key changes include:
The government continues to be one of India’s largest litigants. In FY 2024–25, litigation expenses alone amounted to nearly ₹80 crore. Over the past decade, approximately ₹4,400 crore has been spent on government-related cases. Former Chief Justice NV Ramana notably described the government as the “biggest litigant” in India.
The revised NLP incorporates significant technological reforms, including:
ADR mechanisms—such as mediation, arbitration, and conciliation—are now a core feature of the policy. Ministries are instructed to identify disputes suitable for ADR early in the process, reducing court burdens and enabling quicker, mutually beneficial resolutions.
Effective litigation management will strengthen governance efficiency, reduce administrative delays, and improve India’s ease-of-doing-business rankings. By reducing pending cases and ensuring predictable dispute outcomes, the policy aims to enhance investor confidence and citizen trust in government institutions.
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