In civil litigation, pecuniary jurisdiction refers to the monetary limit or value of a case that determines which court has the authority to hear and decide it. Each civil court in India is assigned specific financial limits under various state laws and notifications—for example, Munsif Courts handle lower-value cases, while District Courts or higher courts hear cases involving larger sums. These limits ensure that cases are distributed among courts based on their financial significance and complexity. The concept of pecuniary jurisdiction promotes the organized and efficient functioning of the judicial system by preventing overburdening of higher courts with minor disputes, ensuring that cases are adjudicated at the appropriate level, and allowing litigants access to justice in proportion to the value of their claim. It thus maintains judicial order, efficiency, and balance across different tiers of the court system.
