Hyderabad: The eCourts Phase-III project is set to transform the integration of technology and governance in the Indian judiciary. The initiative aims to improve access to justice and make court processes more efficient by 2027.
The eCourts Mission Mode (eCMM) project is being implemented in three phases. The first phase was rolled out from 2011 to 2015, followed by the second phase from 2015 to 2023. Recently, Minister of State for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal, shared details about the project in response to a query from Rajya Sabha MPs, including Dr. K Laxman, Dr. Kalpana Saini, Maynkbhai Jyadevbhai Nayak, and Baburam Nishad.
Phase-III of the project aims to make court experiences more convenient, affordable, and hassle-free for citizens. It includes plans to establish esewakendras (service centers) at all court complexes and adopt advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and optical character recognition (OCR). These technologies will help analyze case backlogs and predict future litigation trends. The project is being executed to enhance the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capabilities of the judiciary, in collaboration with the Department of Justice, the Supreme Court’s eCommittee, and high courts across the country.
Approved by the Cabinet in September 2023, Phase-III has a budget of ₹7,210 crore, which is more than four times the funding allocated for Phase-II. This phase will introduce several new digital initiatives, such as paperless and digital courts, digitization of court records (including both old and ongoing cases), and expanded video conferencing facilities for courts, jails, and hospitals. It also aims to create a cloud-based data repository for easy access to digitized records and software applications while providing live streaming of proceedings and managing electronic evidence.
The project highlights the importance of online courts, which will extend beyond handling traffic violations to include comprehensive support for all court complexes. Emerging technologies like AI and OCR will play a crucial role in analyzing pending cases and forecasting future legal trends. These advancements are expected to simplify court processes, making them more user-friendly and cost-effective for citizens.
Phase-I, implemented with an outlay of ₹935 crore, focused on basic computerization, including setting up hardware, internet connectivity, and operationalizing the eCourts platform. By the end of this phase, ₹639.41 crore had been spent. Phase-II, with a budget of ₹1,670 crore, incurred a total expenditure of ₹1,668.43 crore and focused on enabling ICT in district and subordinate courts. As of 2023, digital infrastructure has been provided to 18,735 courts across India.
Overall, the government’s efforts to integrate technology with governance through the eCourts Phase-III project are expected to be a game changer. This initiative seeks to ensure that justice is accessible, affordable, and convenient for everyone in the country.
