Why is it in the news?
- During the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister launched citizen-centric information and technology initiatives aimed at enhancing judicial accessibility and efficiency.
The initiatives include:
1) Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR)
- This initiative aims to make Supreme Court judgments available to citizens of the country in electronic format free of cost.
- By digitizing these reports, individuals can access judgments conveniently from anywhere, facilitating legal research, and empowering citizens to understand legal precedents and rulings.
2) Digital Courts 2.0 under e-Courts Project
- The Digital Courts 2.0 initiative focuses on providing district court judges with electronic access to court records.
- It enables judges to access case documents and information digitally, leading to faster decision-making and improved judicial productivity.
- By leveraging AI technology, speech-to-text transcription can be performed in real-time during court proceedings.
3) Redesigned Website of Supreme Court
- The Supreme Court launched a redesigned website with a user-friendly interface, catering to users in both English and Hindi languages.
- The user-friendly interface improves navigation and search functionalities, enabling easier access to legal resources, case status, and other relevant information.
4) Expansion of Supreme Court Building Complex
- With an approved budget of Rs. 800 crores, the expansion of the Supreme Court building complex aims to accommodate the growing needs of the judiciary.
- The expansion project facilitates the effective functioning of the Supreme Court, providing adequate space for courtrooms, administrative offices, and support facilities.
- Since 2014, the government has disbursed over Rs. 7,000 crores for upgrading the physical infrastructure of courts across the country.
| E-Court Project
· The E-Court project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at transforming the Indian judiciary through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enablement. · It is a Pan-India Mission Mode Project monitored and funded by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice. · By leveraging ICT solutions, the E-Court project enhances transparency, judicial productivity, and case management. · It seeks to reduce pendency by enabling efficient handling and disposition of cases across district courts in the country.
National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) · The NJDG serves as a centralized database of orders, judgments, and cases, created as an online platform under the e-Courts Project. · It provides stakeholders with access to comprehensive and up-to-date judicial data, facilitating informed decision-making and monitoring of court proceedings. · The NJDG enhances transparency and accountability in the judicial system by promoting data-driven insights and analysis.
National Service and Tracking of Electronic Processes · This initiative involves the development of a technology-enabled platform for serving electronic processes and issuing summons. · It streamlines the process-serving mechanism, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of legal documents.
AI-Powered Portals (SUPACE and SUVAS) · SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court’s Efficiency) and SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software) are AI-powered portals designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of court operations. · SUPACE provides assistance to the judiciary in improving court efficiency, while SUVAS serves as a machine-assisted translation tool for legal documents, facilitating multilingual communication and comprehension. |
