New Delhi: India’s justice delivery system is undergoing a significant digital transformation with the implementation of global best practices under the e-Courts Mission Mode Project. Aligned with recommendations highlighted at the OECD Global Roundtable 2025, the reforms focus on data-driven governance, people-centric services and enhanced interoperability across the criminal justice ecosystem.
Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System
A cornerstone of the reforms is the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), which is based on the principle of ‘one data, one entry’. The project enables seamless exchange of information among police, prisons, prosecution, courts and forensic systems.
A data-sharing matrix approved by the e-Committee of the Supreme Court of India allows integration between the Case Information System of e-Courts and other ICJS pillars. This interoperability ensures accuracy, eliminates duplication and supports evidence-based decision-making.
Strengthening Identification and Forensic Processes
The National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) has emerged as a critical technological upgrade. With a centralised national database of 1.23 crore fingerprint records, NAFIS enables real-time identification of arrested persons, missing individuals, unidentified bodies and crime scene evidence.
By replacing legacy systems and integrating state-level databases, NAFIS has improved speed, accuracy and uniformity in fingerprint-based identification across law enforcement agencies.
In parallel, the e-Forensic application has been introduced to digitise forensic workflows. The platform supports user profiling, case management and digital reporting, helping forensic institutions function more efficiently and transparently.
Large-Scale Digitisation of Court Records
Under the e-Courts Mission Mode Project, more than 618.36 crore pages of court records, including legacy files, have been digitised. This initiative ensures secure storage, faster retrieval of records and seamless digital workflows within courts.
Digitisation has significantly reduced dependence on physical files, minimised the risk of document loss and improved overall case management efficiency.
Virtual Courts and Video Conferencing
To improve convenience and reduce physical court appearances, 29 Virtual Courts have been established for online adjudication of traffic challans. These courts have handled 9.81 crore challans, disposing of 8.74 crore cases. Payments of 94.55 lakh challans have generated revenue of ₹973.32 crore.
Video conferencing facilities have also been expanded across 3,240 court complexes and 1,272 jails. Courts have conducted over 3.93 crore hearings through video conferencing, enabling remote participation of undertrials, witnesses and lawyers.
Additionally, live streaming of court proceedings is now operational in 11 High Courts, promoting transparency and public access.
Digital Filing, Payments and Public Access
The introduction of e-filing and e-payment systems has reduced procedural bottlenecks and physical interfaces. Around 1.03 crore cases have been filed electronically, while digital platforms have processed court-fee payments worth ₹1,234 crore and fines amounting to ₹63 crore.
The National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) offers public access to court statistics and case data. With an upgraded dashboard, NJDG functions as a real-time monitoring tool to identify, manage and reduce case pendency.
CIS 4.0 has been implemented in all courts, offering enhanced usability, privacy safeguards and integration with national platforms such as NJDG, ICJS, e-filing and virtual courts.
Citizen-Centric Digital Services
The S3WaaS platform now hosts 730 district court websites, ensuring secure and accessible web infrastructure. Digital engagement has expanded rapidly, with the e-Courts portal receiving around 35 lakh daily hits.
In December 2025 alone, over 3 crore SMS alerts and more than 1 crore email notifications were issued to litigants and lawyers. The e-Courts Services mobile app, with 3.5 crore downloads, provides case status, cause lists and other essential information.
For judges, the JustIS app serves as a management tool to organise and monitor judicial work more effectively.
Faster Service of Summons and Litigant Support
The National Service and Tracking of Electronic Processes (NSTEP) system enables electronic service and GPS-enabled tracking of summons and notices. Courts have processed 6.21 crore e-processes, with 1.61 crore successfully delivered.
To assist citizens, e-Sewa Kendras have been operationalised as one-stop digital centres. Currently, 48 e-Sewa Kendras function across High Courts and 2,283 across District Courts, supporting e-filing, documentation and case updates.
Reducing Delays and Improving Justice Delivery
The government stated that these reforms have collectively reduced delays, improved case management and minimised procedural adjournments. Data analytics, virtual hearings and interoperable systems are enabling better utilisation of judicial resources.
By aligning with global best practices, the e-Courts Mission Mode Project is expected to further strengthen access to justice, speed up dispute resolution and enhance efficiency across India’s judicial system.
