India’s Judiciary Adopts AI to Improve Court Efficiency

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping India’s judicial system. The Supreme Court of India, through its eCommittee, has begun integrating advanced technologies such as Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) into e-Courts applications. These AI tools aim to boost efficiency, reduce case pendency, and simplify court operations for both judges and litigants.

In this blog, we break down how AI is being used in Indian courts, the major tools developed, and what this means for the future of justice delivery.

 Why AI Is Being Introduced in Indian Courts

The primary goal behind adopting AI in the judiciary is to make court processes faster, error-free, and more accessible. AI-powered tools help with:

• Automated document filing
• Translation of legal documents
• Case prediction and forecasting
• Smart scheduling
• Efficient case management
• Chatbot communication with litigants
  

These innovations are expected to significantly reduce the burden on judges and administrative staff.

Key AI Tools Developed for the Judiciary

1. Legal Research Analysis Assistant (LegRAA)

LegRAA is an AI-powered software developed by the NIC’s Artificial Intelligence Division.
Purpose:

• Helps judges with legal research
• Analyses documents
• Offers judicial decision-support
  

This tool ensures faster judgments and reduces manual workload.

2. Digital Courts 2.1

Digital Courts 2.1 is designed to improve digital accessibility for judicial officers.

Key Features:

• Access to integrated judgment databases
• Document management with annotations
• Automated drafting templates
• Voice-to-text dictation (SHRUTI)
• Translation tool (PANINI)
• Connectivity with the JustIS app
  

This platform helps judges draft orders and judgments much more efficiently.

AI Collaboration With IIT Madras

The Supreme Court has teamed up with IIT Madras to deploy AI and ML tools in electronic filing systems.

What’s being tested:

• Automatic identification of defects in court filings
• Metadata extraction
• Integration with the Integrated Case Management & Information System (ICMIS)
• AI prototypes tested by 200 Advocates-on-Record
  

This partnership is bringing cutting-edge research directly into the courtroom.

SUPACE: Supreme Court’s AI Tool for Legal Assistance

SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal Assistance in Court Efficiency) is another experimental AI tool.

Its goal:

• Understand case facts
• Help with smart precedent search
• Improve judicial decision-making
  

This tool aims to reduce research time and increase accuracy in legal analysis.

Pilot Phase and Regulation of AI Tools

All AI tools are currently being tested in controlled pilot programs.
Their full-scale implementation will depend on:

• High Court policies
• Data security guidelines
• Responsible tech adoption frameworks
  

A dedicated AI Committee has also been formed by the Supreme Court to guide this transformation.

Government Funding for AI Under eCourts Phase-III

Under Phase-III of the eCourts Project (2023–2027), the government has allocated ₹53.57 crore for the development of future technologies like AI and blockchain.

AI is expected to play a major role in:

• Reducing case pendency
• Automating routine tasks
• Streamlining court operations
  

This budget shows India’s strong commitment to building a modern, tech-driven judiciary.

Conclusion

India’s judiciary is entering a technologically advanced era. With AI tools like LegRAA, Digital Courts 2.1, and SUPACE, the Supreme Court is making judicial processes faster, more efficient, and more accurate. While these technologies are still in the pilot phase, they represent a major step toward a transparent, efficient, and digitized court system. As these innovations mature, litigants and legal professionals across the country can expect quicker justice delivery and simplified legal procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.1 Why is AI being used in Indian courts?

AI helps automate routine tasks, speed up legal research, and improve case management efficiency.

Q.2 What is LegRAA?

LegRAA is an AI-based research and analysis tool designed to assist judges with legal research and document evaluation.

Q.3 What is Digital Courts 2.1?

Digital Courts 2.1 is a judicial platform offering voice dictation, automated drafting, document management, and access to judgment databases.

Q.4 How is IIT Madras supporting this initiative?

IIT Madras is collaborating with the Supreme Court to create AI tools for detecting filing defects, extracting metadata, and enhancing case management.

Q.5 What is SUPACE?

SUPACE is an AI tool designed to understand case facts and perform smart precedent searches to aid judicial decisions.

Q.6 Are these AI tools active in all courts in India?

Not yet. They are currently being tested in pilot phases.

Q.7 How will AI reduce case pendency?

By automating repetitive tasks, improving scheduling, and simplifying case tracking.

Q.8 What AI features does Digital Courts 2.1 offer?

Voice-to-text dictation (SHRUTI) and translation (PANINI), among other digital case tools.

Q.9 How much funding has the government allocated for AI in courts?

A total of ₹53.57 crore under Phase-III of the eCourts Project.

Q.10 Who regulates AI use in Indian courts?

The AI Committee formed by the Supreme Court oversees the planning, implementation, and monitoring of AI-enabled judicial tools.

Disclaimer: This blog post has been created using information sourced from the official Press Release issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. The content has been simplified for better public understanding.