Supreme Court Introduces Virtual Hearings, Car-Pooling and WFH Measures to Conserve Fuel Amid West Asia Crisis

May 15, 2026 : The Supreme Court of India on Friday announced a series of fuel conservation measures, including virtual hearings on miscellaneous days, car-pooling among judges and work-from-home arrangements for registry staff, in response to growing concerns over fuel consumption linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis.

In a circular issued by Secretary General Bharat Parashar, the apex court stated that all matters listed on miscellaneous days, including Mondays, Fridays and other notified miscellaneous days, as well as cases taken up during partial working days, will be heard exclusively through video-conferencing until further orders.

The court also said that its judges have unanimously resolved to promote car-pooling arrangements to ensure optimum utilisation of fuel resources. In another major administrative decision, the Supreme Court allowed up to 50 per cent staff in each branch or section of the registry to work from home for a maximum of two days a week.

The circular clarified that the remaining staff members would continue to attend office physically to ensure that the functioning of court administration remains uninterrupted.

The measures come shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens and institutions across the country to reduce fuel consumption and avoid unnecessary expenditure in light of economic pressures arising from the prolonged conflict in West Asia.