In a significant move towards judicial modernisation, the Supreme Court of India has announced the launch of an AI-powered digital platform aimed at addressing one of the judiciary’s most persistent challenges—case pendency. The announcement was made on January 29, 2026, by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, who described the initiative as “some good news” and an important administrative milestone for the Indian judicial system.
The new platform forms part of a broader push to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into court administration, with the objective of improving efficiency, transparency, and real-time case management across multiple levels of courts.
AI and the Indian Judiciary: Addressing the Pendency Crisis
Case pendency has long plagued the Indian judiciary, with lakhs of cases pending before trial courts, High Courts, and the Supreme Court. Delays not only undermine access to justice but also erode public confidence in the legal system.
Recognising this challenge, the Supreme Court has increasingly turned to technology-driven solutions, with artificial intelligence now emerging as a key tool in judicial administration.
“We are trying to harness AI for increasing operational efficiency and reduce case pendency,” CJI Surya Kant stated while announcing the reforms during court proceedings.
Unified Digital Platform for Real-Time Case Tracking
One of the most significant aspects of the initiative is a digital partnership between the Supreme Court and various High Courts, creating a unified, AI-enabled platform for tracking case status.
Under this system:
- Case statuses will be automatically updated based on orders passed by trial courts, High Courts, and the Supreme Court
- Orders from lower courts will be reflected in real time at higher judicial levels
- The platform will act as a centralised repository of case pendency data
According to CJI Kant, this integration will not only ensure accurate tracking but also enable faster implementation of judicial orders, reducing administrative delays caused by manual updates and fragmented systems.
How AI Will Improve Court Administration
Unlike speculative or adjudicatory uses of AI, the Supreme Court’s initiative focuses strictly on administrative and infrastructural functions, an approach that aligns with constitutional safeguards and ethical concerns.
Key areas where AI will be deployed include:
- Case management and pendency tracking
- Automated status updates across courts
- Scheduling and documentation
- Administrative approvals and permissions
- Infrastructure and registry operations
By automating routine processes, the judiciary aims to allow judges and court staff to focus more on adjudication rather than administrative bottlenecks.
Transparent Digital Payments for Administrative Services
As part of the reform package, the Supreme Court is also launching an integrated digital payment system for administrative services.
This system will cover:
- Payment of Advocates-on-Record (AoR) examination fees
- Charges for crèche facilities
- Other registry-related administrative payments
“This will simplify the process by ushering in transparency,” CJI Surya Kant noted, highlighting how digitisation can reduce delays, discretion, and inefficiencies in court-related transactions.
The move is particularly relevant for members of the Bar, who often face procedural delays in administrative payments and approvals.
Automation of Infrastructure and Security Permissions
Beyond case tracking and payments, the Supreme Court is also automating several infrastructure and security-related processes.
These include:
- Vehicle permit automation
- A digital park authorisation record-keeping system
- Streamlined permissions related to court premises
Such measures form part of a larger effort to modernise court administration, improve security oversight, and reduce paperwork-driven inefficiencies.
“This is an administrative milestone. We are hopeful that litigants and members of the Bar will benefit and also help the registry in operational efficiency,” CJI Kant said.
Supreme Court’s AI Committee and Structured Adoption
The announcement builds upon earlier steps taken by the Supreme Court to ensure structured and responsible adoption of AI.
In December 2025, CJI Surya Kant reconstituted the Supreme Court’s Artificial Intelligence Committee, appointing Justice PS Narasimha as its Chair.
The Committee has been tasked with guiding the judiciary on:
- Ethical and responsible AI adoption
- Use of AI in case management and scheduling
- Improving accessibility and transparency
- Adoption of AI tools in lower courts
This structured oversight ensures that AI remains a supportive administrative tool, rather than an intrusive mechanism influencing judicial decision-making.
Benefits for Litigants, Lawyers, and the Judiciary
If implemented effectively, the AI-powered platform could have wide-ranging benefits:
For Litigants:
- Faster implementation of court orders
- Greater transparency in case status
- Reduced procedural uncertainty
For Lawyers:
- Real-time updates across courts
- Simplified administrative processes
- Reduced delays in registry-related work
For the Judiciary:
- Accurate pendency data
- Improved allocation of judicial resources
- Evidence-based administrative planning
The availability of reliable data could also inform policy decisions, judicial appointments, and infrastructure expansion.
Concerns and Limitations of AI in Courts
While the initiative has been widely welcomed, it also raises important concerns:
- Data accuracy and privacy protection
- Risk of over-reliance on automated systems
- Digital divide affecting access for some litigants
- Need for constant human oversight
Legal experts have consistently emphasised that AI must remain assistive, not determinative, especially in a constitutional democracy governed by principles of fairness and natural justice.
Conclusion: A Turning Point in Judicial Administration
The Supreme Court’s decision to launch an AI-powered digital platform for tracking case pendency marks a transformational moment in Indian judicial administration. By focusing on efficiency, transparency, and real-time integration across courts, the initiative addresses systemic delays without compromising judicial independence.
As India’s judiciary cautiously embraces artificial intelligence, the success of this platform will depend on robust implementation, ethical safeguards, and continuous monitoring. If executed well, it could serve as a model for courts across the country and significantly strengthen access to justice.
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