Application for Permission to File Review Petition in the Supreme Court
Updated sample format and practical filing guide for a person seeking permission to institute a review petition against a judgment or order of the Supreme Court of India, particularly where the proposed review petitioner was not originally a party but claims to be directly and substantially affected.
Article 137 and Order XLVII of the Supreme Court Rules
Article 137 of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court, subject to law made by Parliament and rules made under Article 145, to review a judgment pronounced or an order made by it.
Order XLVII of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 regulates review petitions. In a civil proceeding, review is confined to the grounds recognized by Order XLVII Rule 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. In a criminal proceeding, the Rules restrict review to an error apparent on the face of the record.
The application for review must also be accompanied by the certificate of the Advocate-on-Record required by Order XLVII, certifying that it is the first application for review and that it is based on grounds admissible under the Rules.
Permission where the proposed review petitioner was not a party
The Supreme Court Registry's current list of interlocutory applications expressly recognizes "Application for Permission to File Review Petition" as an application category. This is relevant where a person seeks review although that person was not formally arrayed as a party in the original proceeding.
A non-party application should not assume that permission follows merely because the judgment has some general effect. It should set out, with precision, the applicant's connection with the original dispute, the direct or substantial prejudice said to arise from the judgment or order, why the applicant could not appropriately protect that interest earlier, and why the accompanying review petition satisfies the strict review jurisdiction.
Grounds for a Supreme Court review petition
For civil matters, Order XLVII Rule 1 CPC broadly permits review on discovery of new and important matter or evidence which, despite due diligence, was not within knowledge or could not be produced earlier; mistake or error apparent on the face of the record; or another legally sufficient analogous reason. Review does not permit a rehearing simply because another view is possible.
For criminal matters, Order XLVII of the Supreme Court Rules uses the narrower formulation of an error apparent on the face of the record.
Limitation, circulation and hearing
Order XLVII Rule 2 states that a review petition is to be filed within 30 days from the date of the judgment or order sought to be reviewed and must clearly set out the review grounds.
Unless the Court orders otherwise, a review application is disposed of by circulation without oral arguments. The petitioner may supplement the petition with additional written arguments. As far as practicable, the review is circulated to the same Judge or Bench that delivered the judgment or order.
Where there is delay or another procedural issue, the filing papers should address it in the manner required by the Supreme Court Rules and Registry practice applicable to the case. Current Registry requirements should be checked before filing.
Sample application for permission to file review petition
The following is a general drafting format. The cause title, jurisdiction description, underlying case number, party description and supporting facts must be adapted to the proceeding in which review is sought.
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE / ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
I.A. NO. ______ OF 20__
IN
REVIEW PETITION (CIVIL) NO. ______ OF 20__
IN
CIVIL APPEAL / S.L.P. / WRIT PETITION NO. ______ OF 20__
IN THE MATTER OF:
VERSUS
APPLICATION FOR PERMISSION TO FILE REVIEW PETITION
TO
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA
AND HIS/HER HON'BLE COMPANION JUSTICES
OF THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
THE HUMBLE APPLICATION OF THE APPLICANT ABOVE NAMED
MOST RESPECTFULLY SHOWETH:
1. The Applicant seeks permission to file the accompanying Review Petition under Article 137 of the Constitution of India read with Order XLVII of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, seeking review of the judgment/order dated __________ passed by this Hon'ble Court in __________________________.
2. The Applicant was not arrayed as a party in the aforesaid proceedings. The Applicant is, however, directly and substantially affected by the judgment/order because ________________________________________________.
3. The Applicant's legal rights/interests are affected in the following manner: ________________________________________________. The effect is specific to the Applicant and is not merely a general or remote grievance.
4. The circumstances explaining why the Applicant was not before this Hon'ble Court in the original proceeding are: ________________________________________________.
5. The accompanying Review Petition raises grounds falling within the limited review jurisdiction under Article 137 read with Order XLVII of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013. In brief, the review is sought on the following permissible ground(s): ________________________________________________.
6. The present application and accompanying Review Petition are bona fide and are filed in the interests of justice. No prejudice incapable of being addressed in law will be caused to the Respondents if permission is granted, whereas refusal of permission would cause the Applicant the prejudice stated above.
PRAYER
In the facts and circumstances stated above, it is most respectfully prayed that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to:
(a) permit the Applicant to file and maintain the accompanying Review Petition against the judgment/order dated __________ passed in __________________________; and
(b) pass such other or further order(s) as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the interests of justice.
AND FOR THIS ACT OF KINDNESS THE APPLICANT AS IN DUTY BOUND SHALL EVER PRAY.
APPLICANT / PROPOSED REVIEW PETITIONER
THROUGH
____________________________
ADVOCATE-ON-RECORD
DRAWN ON: __________
FILED ON: __________
NEW DELHI
Practical filing points
- Use the exact cause-title and case particulars of the Supreme Court matter sought to be reviewed.
- Explain separately why permission is required and how the applicant is directly affected despite not being an original party.
- File the accompanying review petition in conformity with Article 137 and Order XLVII.
- Address the 30-day limitation requirement and any delay, if applicable, through the appropriate filing.
- Include the Advocate-on-Record certificate required for the review petition.
- Ensure that annexures, affidavits, court fees, indexing, pagination and electronic filing comply with current Supreme Court Registry requirements.
- Do not assume an entitlement to an oral hearing; review petitions are ordinarily considered by circulation unless the Court directs otherwise.
Official Supreme Court and constitutional resources
The Supreme Court's Rules page also publishes amendments to the Supreme Court Rules, including amendments notified in 2024 and 2025. Check the current Rules and Registry directions at the time of filing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-party automatically obtain review of a Supreme Court judgment?
No. A person seeking permission should demonstrate a concrete basis for being permitted to file the review petition and must also satisfy the strict substantive requirements of review jurisdiction.
What is the normal time limit?
Order XLVII Rule 2 provides a 30-day period from the date of the judgment or order sought to be reviewed.
What are the grounds in a civil review?
The Supreme Court Rules refer civil reviews to the grounds in Order XLVII Rule 1 CPC, including qualifying new evidence, error apparent on the face of the record, and other legally sufficient analogous reasons.
Is the review normally argued orally?
No. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the review is ordinarily considered by circulation without oral arguments, although additional written arguments may be submitted.