Context: The Government informed Parliament that Artificial Intelligence (AI)–based tools are being integrated into e-Courts software applications to improve judicial efficiency and access to justice.
About Artificial Intelligence in Judiciary:
What it is?
- Artificial Intelligence in the judiciary refers to the use of AI technologies such as Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and speech recognition to support judicial administration, legal research, case management and citizen services.
- AI is used as a decision-support and efficiency-enhancing tool, not as a substitute for judicial decision-making.
Key initiatives taken
- Legal Research Analysis Assistant (LegRAA): An AI-based tool developed under the eCommittee of the Supreme Court to assist judges in legal research, document analysis and judicial decision support.
- Digital Courts 2.1: A paperless court application providing integrated judgment databases, annotated document management and automated drafting templates, along with voice-to-text (SHRUTI) and translation (PANINI)
- SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal Assistance in Court Efficiency): An experimental AI tool aimed at understanding factual matrices of cases and enabling intelligent precedent searches.
- Nyaya Shruti & e-Sakshya (ICJS): AI-enabled platforms for virtual testimonies, video conferencing and digital recording of evidence, improving speed and transparency in criminal justice.
Relevance for UPSC examination:
- GS Paper II – Polity & Governance
- Judicial reforms, access to justice, e-governance, digital courts
- Role of technology in strengthening institutional efficiency and transparency
- GS Paper III – Science & Technology:
- Applications of AI in public institutions
- Ethical, legal and governance aspects of emerging technologies
