As part of the National eGovernance Plan, Phase-III of the eCourts Mission Mode project is under implementation for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enablement of courts

**Executive Summary** The eCourts Mission Mode project, Phase-III of the National eGovernance Plan, is implementing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for courts. The project aims to enhance judicial productivity and accessibility, with Rs. 53.57 crore allocated for future technological advancements. Key AI tools are being tested, with a focus on responsible and secure adoption, and regulatory frameworks will be governed by High Court policies. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Project Overview** * The eCourts Mission Mode project, Phase-III, under the National eGovernance Plan, focuses on ICT enablement of courts. * Its objectives are to enhance judicial productivity (qualitatively and quantitatively) and make the justice delivery system accessible, cost-effective, reliable, and transparent. * Rs. 53.57 crore is earmarked for "Future Technological Advancements" to integrate modern technologies for improved user experience. * **AI Implementation** * The Supreme Court of India established an AI Committee to conceptualize, implement, and monitor AI use in the judiciary. * Prototypes of AI and ML tools are being tested by the Supreme Court of India in collaboration with IIT Madras for tasks like curing document defects, meta data extraction, and integration with electronic filing and case management systems. * An AI-based tool, Legal Research Analysis Assistant [LegRAA], has been developed to assist judges with legal research and document analysis. * Another AI-based tool, Digital Courts 2.1, is designed to help Judges and Judicial Officers manage courts paperlessly by providing a single window for case-related information and tasks. * Digital Courts 2.1 includes voice-to-text (ASR-SHRUTI) and translation (PANINI) functionalities for dictating orders and judgments. * **Data Privacy and Security** * LegRAA and Digital Courts 2.1 utilize the courts' own data (judgments and orders) to address data privacy and ethical safeguards. * The eCommittee, Supreme Court of India, has formed a Sub-Committee of High Court judges and technical experts to recommend secure connectivity, authentication mechanisms for data and privacy protection, and to assess digital infrastructure and service delivery systems. * **Scope and Regulation** * Current AI-based solutions are limited to controlled pilot deployments. * The objective is to ensure responsible, secure, and practical adoption of AI. * The formulation and regulation of operational frameworks will be governed by the rules of business and policies of the concerned High Courts. **Impact Analysis** * **Judges and Judicial Officers** * **Impact:** Will benefit from AI tools like LegRAA for research and document analysis, and Digital Courts 2.1 for paperless case management and improved efficiency. Voice-to-text and translation functionalities will aid in dictation. * **Action Required:** To engage with and utilize the new AI-based tools and platforms as they are implemented and become available. To participate in the assessment of digital infrastructure and service delivery systems as part of security strengthening efforts. * **Supreme Court of India, High Courts, and District Courts** * **Impact:** Their data (judgments and orders) is being used to develop and train AI tools, ensuring data privacy and ethical safeguards. They will be responsible for formulating and regulating operational frameworks for AI deployment. * **Action Required:** To provide the necessary data for the development and testing of AI tools. To develop and adhere to their respective rules of business and policies for the operational frameworks governing AI solutions. To actively participate in the sub-committee's efforts regarding secure connectivity and data protection. * **Citizens / Public** * **Impact:** Expected to experience a more accessible, cost-effective, reliable, and transparent justice delivery system due to enhanced judicial productivity and ICT enablement. * **Action Required:** No direct action is required from citizens, but they will benefit from the improved services.

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