Filing a Special Leave Petition (Civil), commonly called an SLP (Civil), before the Supreme Court of India requires careful preparation and compliance with the applicable Supreme Court Rules, practice directions, and filing requirements.

One of the most important documents in the filing set is the Index.

Although an Index may look like a simple list of documents, it is actually the roadmap of the entire paper book. It helps the Supreme Court Registry, Judges, Advocates, and parties quickly locate the documents relied upon in the case.

A properly prepared Index also makes it easier to check whether the paper book is complete and whether the documents have been arranged and paginated correctly.

This guide explains what an Index is, why it is important, what documents are generally included in an SLP (Civil), how to prepare the Index, and which common mistakes should be avoided.

What Is an Index in an SLP (Civil)?

An Index is a list of the documents contained in the paper book filed before the Supreme Court.

It generally identifies:

The serial number of each document
The particulars or description of the document
The page number or page range where the document appears
Additional remarks or filing information where required

The Index allows the contents of the paper book to be located quickly.

For example, if the Court wants to examine the impugned judgment, an annexure, an affidavit, or an application, the corresponding entry in the Index should make it easy to locate that document.

Why Is the Index Important?

The Index is more than a procedural formality.

A properly prepared Index can:

Organize the complete paper book.
Help the Registry scrutinize the filing.
Make documents easier for the Court to locate.
Help Advocates and parties refer to documents during proceedings.
Reduce confusion about the sequence of documents.
Help identify missing or incorrectly paginated documents.

An incorrect Index can create problems during scrutiny, particularly when the page numbers in the Index do not correspond with the actual paper book.

Therefore, the Index should be checked carefully after the entire filing set has been compiled.

Typical Format of an SLP (Civil) Index

A basic Index can contain columns such as:

Sr. No.	Particulars of Document	Page No.
1	Index	1
2	Synopsis and List of Dates	2–8
3	Special Leave Petition	9–25
4	Application(s), if any	26–30
5	Certified Copy of the Impugned Judgment	31–60
6	Annexure P-1	61–75
7	Annexure P-2	76–90
8	Affidavit	91–95
9	Vakalatnama / Petitioner-in-Person Authorization	96–98

The exact contents and arrangement can vary depending on the nature of the case, the documents relied upon, and the applications being filed.

Documents Commonly Included in an SLP (Civil)

The filing set may contain several different documents. The exact requirements should always be checked against the applicable Supreme Court rules and current filing requirements.

1. Index

The Index provides the roadmap of the paper book and identifies the documents included in the filing.

2. Cover Page

The cover page generally contains the cause title, case description, and details of the parties as applicable to the filing.

3. Synopsis

The Synopsis provides a concise overview of the dispute and the important legal issues involved.

It should allow the Court to understand the background of the matter without having to immediately examine every document in the paper book.

4. List of Dates and Events

The List of Dates presents important events chronologically.

Important dates should be supported by the relevant record wherever necessary.

5. Special Leave Petition

The SLP is the principal pleading seeking special leave.

Depending on the case, it sets out matters such as:

Background facts
Questions of law
Grounds
Relevant orders or judgments
Prayer

The petition should be prepared carefully because the SLP forms the central part of the filing.

6. Interim Applications

Depending on the circumstances of the case, different applications may accompany the SLP.

Examples may include applications relating to:

Stay
Exemption
Condonation of delay
Permission to file additional documents
Other procedural reliefs

The applicability of a particular application depends upon the facts and procedural requirements of the case.

7. Impugned Judgment or Order

The judgment or order challenged before the Supreme Court should be included as required.

The relevant copy should be properly identified in the Index.

8. Annexures

Annexures contain documents relied upon in support of the petition.

Each annexure should be:

Clearly marked
Legible
Properly identified
Correctly paginated
Arranged in an appropriate sequence

For example:

Annexure P-1 – True Copy of [Document Description]

Annexure P-2 – True Copy of [Document Description]

The description should be sufficiently clear to allow the reader to understand what the document is.

9. Affidavit

The relevant affidavit or verification document should be included as required by the applicable filing procedure.

10. Vakalatnama or Petitioner-in-Person Documents

Where the matter is filed through an Advocate-on-Record, the relevant authorization documents are included as applicable.

Where a person is appearing as a Petitioner-in-Person, the documents required for such appearance should be prepared according to the applicable Supreme Court procedure.

How to Draft the Index Correctly

Step 1: Arrange All Documents

Before preparing the final Index, arrange the entire filing set in the intended sequence.

Do not prepare the final Index based on an incomplete paper book.

First organize the documents, then prepare the final pagination.

Step 2: Number Every Page

Pagination should be checked carefully.

The page numbers appearing in the Index should correspond exactly with the pages in the paper book.

For example, if an annexure is shown in the Index as pages 61–75, the actual document should occupy those pages.

Avoid duplicate or missing page numbers.

Step 3: Use Correct Document Titles

Use clear and concise descriptions.

Examples include:

Synopsis and List of Dates
Special Leave Petition
Impugned Judgment
Affidavit
Annexure P-1
Annexure P-2

Avoid vague descriptions such as:

“Important Paper”

“Other Documents”

A clear title makes scrutiny and reference easier.

Step 4: Cross-Check Pagination

After completing the Index, compare every page range with the actual paper book.

This is one of the most important checks.

A single change in the filing set can affect all subsequent page numbers.

For example, if an additional document is inserted before Annexure P-5, the page numbers of the documents following it may need to be revised.

Step 5: Update the Index After Final Compilation

The Index should be finalized only after the paper book has been compiled and pagination has been checked.

If documents are subsequently added, removed, or rearranged, update the Index accordingly.

Common Mistakes in an SLP Index

Some common drafting and compilation mistakes include:

1. Incorrect Page Numbers

The Index says one page range while the actual document appears somewhere else.

2. Missing Annexures

An annexure mentioned in the petition is not included or is missing from the Index.

3. Wrong Document Description

The Index uses a description that does not accurately identify the document.

4. Incorrect Sequence

Documents are arranged differently from the sequence shown in the Index.

5. Duplicate Page Numbers

Two different documents are assigned the same page numbers.

6. Illegible Documents

Copies included in the paper book are difficult to read.

7. Failure to Update Pagination

Documents are added or removed after the Index has been prepared, but the Index is not updated.

Practical Tips for Preparing a Professional Index

For a clean and professional filing:

Keep document descriptions short and accurate.
Maintain continuous pagination.
Use consistent formatting.
Clearly identify every annexure.
Check that every document mentioned in the Index is actually included.
Verify the page range of every document.
Recheck the Index after the final compilation.
Keep a final copy of the compiled paper book for reference.

A good Index should allow someone unfamiliar with the case to understand the structure of the paper book quickly.

Example of an Annexure Section

Where a case contains a large number of supporting documents, the annexures can be separately identified in the Index.

For example:

Sr. No.	Annexure	Description	Date	Page No.
1	P-1	True Copy of Relevant Certificate	12.06.1991	29
2	P-2	True Copy of Relevant Certificate	23.06.1997	30
3	P-3	True Copy of Diploma	17.06.2004	31
4	P-4	True Copy of Experience Certificate	30.07.2004	32
5	P-5	True Copy of Qualification Document	01.03.2006	33
6	P-6	True Copy of Experience Certificate	28.01.2009	34

The exact format may differ depending upon the filing requirements applicable to the particular matter.

What Should You Check Before Filing?

Before finalizing the Index, use this checklist:

Document Checklist

☐ Index prepared

☐ Cover page checked

☐ Synopsis checked

☐ List of Dates checked

☐ SLP checked

☐ Required applications included

☐ Impugned judgment/order included

☐ Annexures properly marked

☐ Affidavit included as required

☐ Vakalatnama or applicable authorization checked

Pagination Checklist

☐ Continuous page numbering

☐ No duplicate page numbers

☐ No missing pages

☐ Every Index entry matches the actual document

☐ Annexure page ranges verified

☐ Pagination updated after final compilation

Quality Checklist

☐ Documents are legible

☐ Document descriptions are accurate

☐ Annexures are clearly identified

☐ Final paper book has been reviewed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of an Index in an SLP?

The Index provides a structured list of documents in the filing and identifies where those documents can be found in the paper book.

Should every annexure be mentioned in the Index?

Annexures relied upon in the filing should be properly identified and reflected in the filing structure as applicable.

Can page numbers change after preparing the Index?

Yes. If documents are added, removed, or rearranged, the Index should be updated so that its page references remain accurate.

Why is pagination important?

Accurate pagination allows the Registry, Court, Advocates, and parties to locate documents quickly and reduces confusion during scrutiny and hearing.

Is the same Index suitable for every SLP?

Not necessarily. The documents and applications required can vary depending on the facts and procedural circumstances of the particular matter. The current Supreme Court filing requirements should therefore be checked before filing.

Conclusion

The Index is an important part of an SLP (Civil) filing before the Supreme Court of India. It provides a clear roadmap of the paper book and helps the Registry, Court, Advocates, and parties locate the documents relied upon in the matter. Preparing an Index is not simply a matter of listing documents. The document descriptions, sequence, annexure markings, and pagination should all correspond with the final paper book. A careful final review can help identify missing documents, incorrect page numbers, duplicate pagination, and other compilation problems before filing. Whether an SLP is being prepared through an Advocate-on-Record or by a Petitioner-in-Person, the filing should be checked against the current Supreme Court Rules, practice directions, and filing requirements applicable at the time of filing.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an advocate-client relationship. Supreme Court filing requirements, forms, procedures, and practice directions may change. Always verify the current requirements applicable to your matter before filing.

How to Prepare an Index for an SLP (Civil) in the Supreme Court of India: Complete Guide