📄 Abstract
An efficient judiciary contributes to a nation in ways that extend far beyond the resolution of legal disputes. Its most enduring contribution lies in creating institutional confidence—an intangible asset that strengthens governance, facilitates economic activity and supports long-term national development. Adopting a management perspective, the paper repositions the judiciary as a strategic national institution whose contribution extends beyond dispute resolution to the creation of institutional confidence, an intangible yet indispensable foundation for sustainable economic growth. The study contends that judicial efficiency should be viewed not merely as an administrative objective but as an institutional investment capable of strengthening governance, improving the business environment and enhancing national competitiveness. To illustrate one dimension of the broader economic implications of judicial delay, the paper develops an Illustrative Judicial Opportunity Cost Model based on transparent and conservative assumptions. The model is not intended to estimate definitive national economic losses but to demonstrate a structured analytical framework for examining the productive time diverted through judicial delay. More importantly, the paper argues that the measurable opportunity cost represents only a small part of the larger national potential that may be realised through sustained improvements in judicial efficiency and institutional effectiveness. The study concludes that as India advances towards becoming one of the world's leading economies, developing and strengthening the justice delivery system should increasingly be viewed as a strategic investment in national development rather than merely an exercise in reducing pendency. By integrating concepts from management, institutional economics and judicial administration, the paper offers a broader perspective on the judiciary's role in fostering institutional confidence and supporting India's long-term economic aspirations.
🏷️ Keywords
📚 How to Cite:
Kartikey Agarwaal, Prof. (Dr.) Anuj Goel, Dr. Pallavi Jain , BEYOND PENDENCY: THE JUDICIARY'S STRATEGIC ROLE IN INDIA'S ECONOMIC GROWTH-A MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE , Volume 12 , Issue 7, July 2026, International Journal of Global Economic Light (JGEL) , Pages: 25 - 33 ,