CJI Surya Kant inaugurated Phase III of the e-Courts Project, aiming to transform India’s justice system. He emphasised the initiative goes beyond digitisation, focusing on redesigning access to justice and improving efficiency, inclusivity, and citizen centric service delivery nationwide.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant formally inaugurated Phase III of the e-Courts Project, a Rs 7,210 crore programme designed to make India’s justice delivery system smoother, more inclusive, and easier to access for citizens.
Addressing a two-day National Conference on Judicial Digital Transformation in New Delhi, the CJI said the initiative represents more than digitisation it signals a structural transformation of the justice system. He stressed that the effort is not limited to installing technology in courts, but aims to fundamentally redesign how justice reaches people.
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Recalling the journey of the e-Courts initiative since it began in 2005, the CJI noted that the initial phases mainly concentrated on laying the groundwork. These efforts included the computerisation of courts, standardising case management systems, and introducing digital services such as e-filing and virtual hearings. Building on this, Phase II accelerated the digital shift through the establishment of the National Judicial Data Grid, broader e-filing coverage, and the creation of translation tools such as the Supreme Court’s Vidhik Anuvad software.
According to the CJI, Phase III marks a decisive move beyond infrastructure.
Adding that technology must help tackle structural inefficiencies and procedural obstacles, the CJI remarked,
“The question is no longer whether courts are digitised, but whether the system itself is being transformed to better serve citizens,”
He said the new phase developed by the e-Committee of the Supreme Court with support from the Government of India centres on reducing the digital divide and extending judicial services to the farthest regions of the country. Emphasising inclusion, he underlined that digitisation must translate into meaningful access for all, particularly those in rural and underserved areas.
A major part of the initiative involves strengthening eSewa Kendras, facilitation hubs created to support litigants. These centres are intended to help people access services such as checking case status, submitting documents, and taking part in virtual hearings. The goal is to assist individuals who may not have digital literacy or access to technology, ensuring that digital progress does not turn into a barrier to justice.
Along with Phase III, several new digital tools and system integrations were introduced, including a Single Sign-On (SSO) mechanism for consolidated access to judicial platforms, electronic delivery of court documents, and connectivity between e-Courts and e-Prisons systems. The updated e-Courts Services Mobile App (Version 4.0) was also launched to improve usability and accessibility.
The CJI further described digital transformation as a “constitutional instrument” that reinforces the rule of law. He observed that technology is no longer just an operational convenience, but a tool to promote equality before the law, widen access to justice, and reduce procedural rigidity within the system. Justice Vikram Nath, who leads the e-Committee, spoke during the opening session as well.
The event was attended by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada, along with other key stakeholders.
The conference organised by the Supreme Court of India’s e-Committee in collaboration with the Department of Justice is scheduled for April 11 and 12, 2026.
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