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According to your opinion, what's the best way to improve the Indian judiciary system? Leads:
- Reforms
- Technology
- Infrastructure
Introduction: The Indian judiciary, though one of the oldest and most respected institutions, suffers from a huge pendency of cases (over 4.5 crore as of 2024), delayed justice, and accessibility issues. While all three measures are essential, the most impactful and urgent need is judicial reforms — as they directly address procedural inefficiencies, outdated systems, and structural gaps.
1) Reforms
- Case Backlog Crisis: As per the National Judicial Data Grid, over 4.5 crore cases are pending, including more than 70,000 in the Supreme Court.
- Outdated Procedures: Colonial-era laws, procedural delays, and misuse of adjournments contribute to justice delayed.
- Reform Suggestions:
- All India Judicial Services (AIJS) to ensure merit-based recruitment.
- Time-bound trials for civil and criminal matters.
- Increase retirement age of judges (as per 2024 proposal: SC from 65 to 67; HC from 62 to 65).
- Fast-tracking of tribunals, grievance redressal, and ADR mechanisms like Lok Adalats.
- Judicial Accountability: Need for transparent judge appointments and regular performance audits.
✅ Impact: Reforms tackle the root of the systemic inefficiency — ensuring fair, fast, and consistent justice.
2) Technology
- E-Courts Mission Mode Project:
- Phase III (2023–2027) aims to digitize all court records, virtual hearings, and case tracking.
- Over 18,000 courts are already computerized.
- Benefits:
- E-filing, e-payments, and cause-list tracking.
- Virtual hearings during COVID-19 showed scalability, with over 1.5 crore cases heard online.
- AI & Data Tools: Supreme Court exploring AI to aid legal research and drafting; use of machine learning for case prioritization.
- Limitations: Still limited reach in rural areas; digital divide for lawyers and litigants.
✅ Impact: Technology improves speed and transparency, but it needs human reforms and infrastructure to function effectively.
3) Infrastructure
- Lack of Basic Facilities: Many lower courts face issues like lack of courtrooms, sanitation, power backup, storage for files, etc.
- Underfunding: India spends only 0.08% of GDP on judiciary, far below the global average.
- Modern Courtrooms Needed: Digitally equipped courts, video conferencing, and digital record rooms needed at all levels.
- Judicial Manpower Shortage: Over 5,000 vacancies in lower judiciary. Delays in appointments strain existing infrastructure further.
✅ Impact: Good infrastructure is the foundation for justice delivery, but without reforms and skilled manpower, physical growth alone won’t deliver results.
Conclusion (Balanced View): While technology and infrastructure are essential enablers, the real transformation lies in judicial reforms. Reforming the appointment system, improving accountability, reducing procedural delays, and promoting alternate dispute resolution are crucial for trust, speed, and efficiency. A modern, reformed judiciary is the true guarantor of democracy and citizens' rights in India.
