# Chief Justice Surya Kant's initiatives > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chief-justice-surya-kants-public-engagements > Updated: 2026-08-07T13:31:24.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 5. In late June 2026, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant participated in a yoga programme on the Supreme Court premises to promote mental and physical well-being for judicial staff. Shortly after, he addressed a conference in Stockholm, where he emphasized the rule of law as a safeguard against arbitrary power and advocated for judicial independence. In mid-July, Kant announced the creation of four special benches—two civil and two criminal—to accelerate the disposal of long-pending matters, specifically targeting approximately 800 criminal cases pending for over a decade as part of an effort to address a backlog of over 95,000 cases. He also responded to a recent courtroom incident, stressing the collective duty to uphold constitutional dignity. On 18 July, Kant inaugurated a multi-level parking facility at Chandigarh’s District Courts Complex to improve infrastructure for lawyers and litigants. He also launched a three-month Comprehensive Youth Recovery & Rehabilitation Campaign in Punjab to tackle substance abuse among young people and incarcerated individuals through counseling, treatment, and vocational training. In August, during a National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) conference in Indore, Kant advocated for a more inclusive justice system, arguing that legal services should be proactive and delivered in local languages to reach diverse communities, such as migrant workers and tribal families. Concurrently, significant judicial administrative changes occurred. The Supreme Court Collegium recommended Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Additionally, the central government notified the appointment of 30 judges to the Madras, Calcutta, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh High Courts. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-07: India judicial system sees new appointments and calls for inclusive justice India's Supreme Court Collegium has recommended new High Court appointments, while CJI Surya Kant advocates for inclusive, language-accessible justice during a NALSA conference in Indore. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-appoints-30-judges-to-four-high-courts ### 2026-07-18: Chief Justice Surya Kant pushes court infrastructure upgrades and youth rehabilitation drive in India Chief Justice Surya Kant opened a large court parking complex in Chandigarh and launched a three‑month youth drug‑rehab campaign in Punjab, stressing essential infrastructure and social support. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chief-justice-surya-kant-pushes-court-infrastructure-upgrades-and-youth-rehabilitation-drive-in-indi ### 2026-07-13: India's Chief Justice Surya Kant creates four special Supreme Court benches Chief Justice Surya Kant set up four special Supreme Court benches—two civil, two criminal—to fast‑track about 800 old cases and cut the backlog of over 95,000 pending matters, while urging respect for judicial 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indias-chief-justice-surya-kant-creates-four-special-supreme-court-benches ### 2026-06-30: Chief Justice Surya Kant Emphasizes Rule of Law at Stockholm Conference Chief Justice of India Surya Kant told a Stockholm conference that the rule of law protects citizens by limiting arbitrary power, stressing judicial independence and the Supreme Court’s constitutional role. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chief-justice-surya-kant-emphasizes-rule-of-law-at-stockholm-conference ### 2026-06-21: Chief Justice Surya Kant leads yoga programme at India's Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant joined a Supreme Court yoga session organised by the All India Institute of Ayurveda on International Day of Yoga, urging regular practice for stress relief and healthy ageing. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chief-justice-surya-kant-leads-yoga-programme-at-indias-supreme-court --- Cite as: Chief Justice Surya Kant's initiatives. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chief-justice-surya-kants-public-engagements