Why bench composition matters in Indian courts
Indian courts use bench types to show how many judges decided a case, which directly sets the ruling’s precedential weight. A Single Bench has one judge, a Division Bench has two, a Full Bench has 3 judges (occasionally 5 for a larger reference), and a Constitution Bench has five or more Supreme Court judges deciding constitutional questions.
In Indian courts, the number of judges hearing a matter changes the precedential weight of the decision and often the procedural standard of review. A Single Bench decision can be appealed within the same High Court by way of Letters Patent Appeal. A Division Bench decision binds all Single Benches of that High Court. A Full Bench decision overrules conflicting Division Bench rulings. A Constitution Bench decision is binding on the entire country.
There are 9 bench-type codes used across Indian courts and on eCourtsIndia.com. This guide explains what each means.
Quick Answer
Indian court benches are classified by the number of judges and the subject matter. Single Bench (SB) has one judge. Division Bench (DB) has two judges. Full Bench (FB) has 3 judges (occasionally 5 for a larger reference) and is rare. Larger Bench (LB) is a special composition. Constitution Bench (CB) has 5 or more Supreme Court judges and decides constitutional questions. Search cases by bench type at ecourtsindia.com/search with the bt parameter.
All 9 bench-type codes
| Code | Name | Composition |
|---|---|---|
| SB | Single Bench | 1 judge |
| DB | Division Bench | 2 judges |
| FB | Full Bench | 3 judges (occasionally 5 for a larger reference) |
| LB | Larger Bench | Special composition, usually 5+ |
| CB | Constitution Bench | 5 or more SC judges |
| PB | Principal Bench | Principal / headquarters bench of a tribunal (e.g. NCLT, NCLAT, CAT) |
| RB | Regional Bench | Regional / zonal bench of a tribunal |
| SJ | Single Judge | Individual judge (district level) |
| UNKNOWN | Unclassified | Bench type not specified in the source record |
This table is a snapshot. The authoritative, always-current set of bench, case-type, court-code and status codes is published in the eCourtsIndia API docs at ecourtsindia.com/api/docs, and developers can fetch it programmatically from https://webapi.ecourtsindia.com/api/partner/enums.
Single Bench (SB)
A Single Bench is the most common composition in Indian courts. One judge hears and decides the matter. All writ petitions (WP_C and WP_CRL), most bail applications, civil revisions, criminal revisions, and first appeals are heard by Single Benches.
A Single Bench decision is binding on all courts subordinate to that court but is not binding on another Single Bench of the same court. Appeals from Single Bench go to Division Bench by way of Letters Patent Appeal (LPA) in High Courts that have LPA jurisdiction.
Division Bench (DB)
A Division Bench has two judges. DBs hear appeals from Single Bench decisions (LPA), Public Interest Litigations (PIL), writ appeals, and matters of first impression or public importance. A DB decision binds all Single Benches of the same court.
At the Supreme Court, a DB typically has 2 judges and is the most common composition for hearing Special Leave Petitions (SLP_C, SLP_CRL) at the admission stage. Important SLPs are then referred to larger benches.
Full Bench (FB)
A Full Bench consists of 3 judges (occasionally 5 for a larger reference). FBs are constituted in High Courts when a question of law needs to be settled definitively, or when there are conflicting Division Bench decisions. An FB decision overrides all DB and SB decisions of the same High Court on the same point.
Full Benches are rare. A typical High Court may constitute only a handful of Full Benches per year.
Larger Bench (LB)
A Larger Bench is a special composition with more judges than the ordinary bench size. In the Supreme Court, a 3-judge bench is larger than a 2-judge DB. A 5-judge bench is larger than a 3-judge bench. Larger Benches are constituted when a smaller bench doubts an earlier decision and refers the question to a larger bench.
Notable Larger Bench rulings include the 5-judge Sabarimala Constitution Bench (2018) and the 9-judge bench in Puttaswamy on privacy.
Constitution Bench (CB)
A Constitution Bench is a Supreme Court bench of at least 5 judges constituted under Article 145(3) of the Constitution to decide substantial questions of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution. CB decisions are binding on all courts in India and can only be overturned by a larger Constitution Bench.
Famous Constitution Bench decisions include Kesavananda Bharati (13 judges), NJAC (5 judges), Aadhaar (5 judges), and Triple Talaq (5 judges).
Bench types by court level
| Court Level | Common Bench Types |
|---|---|
| District and Subordinate Courts | SJ (Single Judge) |
| High Courts | SB, DB, FB, CB (rare), LB |
| Supreme Court | DB (2 judges), LB (3-9 judges), CB (5+ judges) |
| NCLT and NCLAT | PB (Principal Bench, with Judicial and Technical members) |
| GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) | PB (Judicial and Technical members); GSTAT coverage is live across its benches |
| Specialised Tribunals | RB, LB depending on the tribunal |
Precedential weight of bench decisions
- Single Bench decision: Binding on subordinate courts only. Not binding on another SB of same court.
- Division Bench decision: Binding on SB of same High Court and all subordinate courts.
- Full Bench decision: Binding on all DB and SB of same High Court. Persuasive for other High Courts.
- Supreme Court DB decision: Binding on all courts in India.
- Supreme Court Larger Bench: Can overrule DB decisions of SC and binds all courts.
- Constitution Bench: Final on constitutional questions. Binds all courts.
How to search for bench-specific decisions
- Single Bench cases: ecourtsindia.com/search?bt=SB
- Division Bench decisions: ecourtsindia.com/search?bt=DB
- Supreme Court Constitution Benches: ecourtsindia.com/search?cc=SCIN01&bt=CB
- Bombay HC Division Bench writs: ecourtsindia.com/search?cc=HCBM01&bt=DB&ct=WP_C
- Full Bench precedents on a topic: ecourtsindia.com/search?bt=FB&q=contract
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Single Bench and a Division Bench?
A Single Bench (SB) has one judge and hears writ petitions, bail applications and revisions. A Division Bench (DB) has two judges and hears appeals from Single Bench decisions plus Public Interest Litigations. A DB decision binds all Single Benches of the same High Court. Search both types at eCourtsIndia.
What is a Constitution Bench in the Supreme Court?
A Constitution Bench is a Supreme Court bench of at least 5 judges constituted under Article 145(3) to decide substantial questions of constitutional interpretation. Its decisions bind every court in India and can only be overturned by a larger Constitution Bench. Famous examples include Kesavananda Bharati and Triple Talaq. Research rulings at eCourtsIndia search.
How many judges are in a Full Bench?
A Full Bench has 3 judges (occasionally 5 for a larger reference). Full Benches settle questions of law definitively or resolve conflicting Division Bench decisions, and a Full Bench ruling overrides all DB and SB decisions of the same High Court. Look up bench data via eCourtsIndia judge research.
How do I search for cases by bench type on eCourtsIndia?
eCourtsIndia lets you filter cases using the bt parameter. Use bt=SB for Single Bench, bt=DB for Division Bench, and bt=CB for Constitution Bench rulings, and combine it with a court code to narrow results. Start at eCourtsIndia search and read our Case Type Encyclopedia for case codes.
What was the largest bench ever constituted in India?
The largest bench ever constituted in India was the 13-judge bench in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), which decided the basic structure doctrine. Other notable large benches include the 9-judge Puttaswamy privacy bench and the 5-judge Sabarimala Constitution Bench (2018). Find Supreme Court rulings at eCourtsIndia.