Overview
The Ministry of Law and Justice is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the development of infrastructure in District and Subordinate Courts. Parallelly, a web‑based Digital Courts platform and the Case Information System (CIS) Version 4.0 are being rolled out to make the judiciary paperless and more efficient.
Key Developments (2021‑26)
- Allocation of **₹1.12 lakh crore** across five components: court halls, residential units, lawyers’ halls, toilet complexes and digital computer rooms.
- Launch of the Nyaya Vikas portal for project data collection and geo‑tagging.
- Implementation of the eCourts Project, achieving **1.07 crore** e‑filed cases and processing court‑fee transactions worth **₹1,404 crore**.
- Digitisation of **660.36 crore** pages of court records; 35.17 crore orders accessible on the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG).
- Expansion of video‑conferencing facilities to **3,240 court complexes** and **1,272 jails** for remote hearings.
- Introduction of SNA‑SPARSH to ensure timely release of central assistance.
Important Facts & Figures
As on 28 Feb 2026, the sanctioned strength of judges is **25,894**, with a working strength of **21,027**. The country currently has **22,712 court halls**, translating to a **judge‑to‑population ratio of 22 per million**. The scheme’s financial flow (in crore rupees) over the five years is:
- 2021‑22: **₹684.60** allocated and fully utilised.
- 2022‑23: **₹858.00** allocated and fully utilised.
- 2023‑24: **₹1,060.17** allocated and fully utilised.
- 2024‑25: **₹1,123.40** allocated and fully utilised.
- 2025‑26 (as on 28 Feb 2026): **₹770.53** allocated, **₹629.66** utilised.
States and Union Territories have received funds based on need, with major recipients including **Uttar Pradesh (₹219 cr)**, **Maharashtra (₹118 cr)** and **Karnataka (₹82 cr)**.
UPSC Relevance
- Understanding the **fund‑sharing pattern** of CSS helps answer GS‑2 questions on centre‑state fiscal relations.
- Digitalisation of courts illustrates the **e‑Governance** thrust, relevant for GS‑2 (Technology) and GS‑3 (Judicial reforms).
- The **judge‑to‑population ratio** is a key indicator of access to justice, often asked in GS‑2 and essay topics.
- Monitoring mechanisms like **Nyaya Vikas** and **SNA‑SPARSH** showcase **project‑implementation frameworks**, useful for GS‑2 (Public Administration).
- Data on case digitisation and video‑conferencing links to **transparency and efficiency** in public institutions, a recurring theme in GS‑4 (Ethics).
Way Forward
To bridge remaining gaps, the Centre should:
- Accelerate the construction of the remaining **~3,000 court halls** to meet the sanctioned strength.
- Strengthen capacity‑building for judges and staff on the JustIS app, ensuring effective use of digital tools.
- Expand video‑conferencing to all district courts, especially in remote and North‑Eastern regions, to reduce pendency.
- Regularise fund flow through **SNA‑SPARSH** and enforce strict timelines via the **Nyaya Vikas** dashboard.
- Periodically review the **judge‑to‑population ratio** and consider recruitment drives to achieve the constitutional target of one judge per 10,000 people.
These steps will not only improve access to justice but also align India’s judiciary with global best practices, a critical area for future civil services officers.