The concept of Public Interest Litigation originated in

The term PIL refers to Public Interest Litigation.

Public Interest Litigation was originated in United States in 1980's. 

Public Interest Litigation is directly filed by an individual or group of people in the Supreme Court of India and High Courts and judicial member.  This petition is accepted by the court only if there is interest of large public involved. Generally this petition is filed by a public spirited person or organisation, if it was felt that certain interests are undermined by the government.