Date: 2026-03-12Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Central Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary in the District and Subordinate Courts
**Executive Summary**
The Central Government is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for judicial infrastructure development in district and subordinate courts, with a primary focus on enhancing facilities. A key initiative is the "Digital Courts" web-based platform for paperless proceedings, and the Case Information System (CIS) Version 4.0 is operational for digital case management. The Scheme, active since 1993-94, aims to augment State/UT resources through financial assistance. The provided data reflects fund allocation and utilization up to February 28, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Scheme Objective and Components:**
* The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) supports the development of infrastructure facilities for District and Subordinate Courts.
* The Scheme's components include Court Halls, Residential Units for Judicial Officers, Lawyers' Halls, Toilet Complexes, and Digital Computer Rooms.
* **Financial Assistance and Implementation:**
* The Central Government provides financial assistance to States/UTs in a prescribed fund-sharing pattern.
* This scheme has been in place since 1993-94 to supplement State/UT resources.
* **Current Infrastructure Status:**
* As of February 28, 2026, there are 22,712 available Court Halls against a sanctioned strength of 25,894 judges and a working strength of 21,027 judges.
* The current judge-to-population ratio is approximately 22 judges per million population.
* **Infrastructure Norms:**
* Court infrastructure norms and specifications are based on recommendations from the National Court Management Systems Committee (NCMS) and existing practices.
* **Monitoring Mechanisms:**
* A Central Level Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Secretary (Justice), oversees projects.
* A High Court Level Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Chief Justice of the respective High Court, also reviews progress.
* The 'Nyaya Vikas' portal is an online platform for monitoring project progress and timely completion.
* **Digital Initiatives:**
* The "Digital Courts" web-based initiative aims to make court proceedings paperless.
* The Case Information System (CIS) Version 4.0 is operational for digitally managing filed cases.
* The eCourts Project has facilitated e-filing, e-payments, and digitization of court records.
* The National Service and Tracking of Electronics Processes (NSTEP) system handles e-processes, and Video Conferencing facilities are expanded.
* The National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) provides access to case information and orders.
* The JustIS app assists judges in monitoring case pendency and disposal.
* **Scheme Appraisal and Fund Management:**
* The CSS is regularly appraised by the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee (DRPSC) and internal/third-party evaluations.
* The SNA-SPARSH system has been introduced for timely release of funds to States/UTs.
* States/UTs are required to geo-tag projects and update progress on the Nyaya Vikas Portal.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments/UTs**
* **Impact:** States/UTs are the primary responsible bodies for developing infrastructure for District and Subordinate Courts and receive financial assistance through the CSS. They are also responsible for utilizing allocated funds and reporting project progress.
* **Action Required:** Utilize allocated funds as per the prescribed pattern, implement infrastructure development projects, geo-tag projects in real time, and update progress on the Nyaya Vikas Portal.
**Judicial Officers**
* **Impact:** Judicial officers will benefit from improved court infrastructure, including residential units and digital computer rooms, which can enhance their working environment and efficiency.
* **Action Required:** Utilize new facilities and digital tools, such as the JustIS app and CIS Version 4.0, to manage cases and improve performance.
**Litigants**
* **Impact:** Litigants will experience a more efficient and potentially paperless judicial process through digital initiatives like e-filing, e-processes, and access to case information via platforms like NJDG.
* **Action Required:** Utilize e-filing and other digital services where available to file cases and access information.
**Ministry of Law and Justice / Central Government**
* **Impact:** The Ministry is responsible for implementing and monitoring the CSS, providing financial assistance, and developing digital infrastructure to improve the judiciary.
* **Action Required:** Continue to oversee fund allocation, monitor project progress through various committees and the Nyaya Vikas portal, and ensure effective implementation of the Scheme.
**Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee (DRPSC) and NITI Aayog**
* **Impact:** These bodies are involved in the appraisal and evaluation of the Scheme, providing recommendations for its improvement.
* **Action Required:** Continue to conduct regular appraisals, audits, and third-party evaluations to identify gaps and inform future guidelines for the Scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary in the District and Subordinate Courts: The primary initiative for developing judicial infrastructure.
Digital Courts: A web-based initiative to make courts paperless.
Case Information System (CIS) Version 4.0: The operational system for digitally managing court cases.
Nyaya Vikas portal: An online monitoring mechanism for judicial infrastructure projects.
National Court Management Systems Committee (NCMS): Committee whose recommendations inform court infrastructure norms.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Central Government has been implementing a
Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the
Development of Infrastructure Facilities for
Judiciary in the District and Subordinate Courts
A web-based initiative namely “Digital Courts” has been
developed for making courts paperless
Case Information System (CIS) Version 4.0 is in operation to
digitally manage cases filed in courts
Posted On: 12 MAR 2026 12:50PM by PIB Delhi
The quantum of funds allocated and utilised for judicial infrastructure development during the last five
years, year-wise and State-wise is at Annexure-I.
The primary responsibility for development of infrastructure facilities for District and Subordinate Courts
rests with the State Governments/UTs. However, to augment the resources of States/UTs, Central
Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the Development of
Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary in the District and Subordinate Courts since 1993-94, by providing
financial assistance in the prescribed fund sharing pattern between the Centre and States/UTs. The Scheme
covers five components, namely, Court Halls, Residential Units for Judicial Officers, Lawyers’ Halls,
Toilet Complexes and Digital Computer Rooms.
As on 28.02.2026, against the sanctioned strength of 25,894 judges and working strength of 21,027
judges, 22,712 Court Halls are available. At present, the judge-to-population ratio in the country works out
to be approximately 22 Judges per million population.
The norms and specifications of court infrastructure have been calculated based on recommendations of
the National Court Management Systems Committee (NCMS) of the Supreme Court in the Baseline
Report on Court Development Planning System, existing norms and practice being followed by State
Governments concerned and CPWD/PWD norms.
Effective monitoring mechanisms are also in place for time bound and sustainable infrastructure
developments in the States/UTs. There is a Central Level Monitoring Committee in the Department of
Justice, chaired by Secretary (Justice) and a High Court Level Monitoring Committee in the State, chaired
by the Chief Justice of the respective High Courts to review the physical and financial progress of the
projects under the Scheme. Additionally, an online monitoring mechanism namely ‘Nyaya Vikas’ portal
has also been developed for collection of data on progress and time bound completion of judicial
infrastructure projects.Under the eCourts Project, approximately 1.07 crore cases have been filed through e-filing and e-
payments system has processed transactions for court-fee worth Rs. 1,404 crore. 660.36 crore pages of
court records have been have been digitized. Under the National Service and Tracking of Electronics
Processes (NSTEP) system, the courts have processed 7.26 crore e-processes, out of which 2.09 crore e-
processes have been successfully delivered. Video Conferencing facilities have been expanded across
3,240 court complexes and 1,272 jails, facilitating remote hearings of under-trials, witnesses and lawyers.
Litigants can access case information in respect of over 35.17 crore orders on National Judicial Data Grid
(NJDG) platform as on date.
Additionally, a web-based initiative namely “Digital Courts” has been developed for making
courts paperless. JustIS app developed for judges (22,133 downloads) assists in the monitoring of
pendency and disposal of cases at fingertips. Further, the Free and Open-Source Software based Case
Information System (CIS) Version 4.0 is in operation to digitally manage cases filed in courts.
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary in
the District and Subordinate Courts is regularly appraised/audited by Department Related Parliamentary
Standing Committee (DRPSC), internal audit reports and third party evaluation report carried out under
the aegis of NITI Aayog at the time of extension of the Scheme. The gaps in implementation of the
Scheme, as and when highlighted through the recommendations of various reports are suitably considered
while drafting the guidelines for the Scheme. Similarly, to mitigate fund related gaps like parking of funds
by the States/UTs, new fund release system namely SNA-SPARSH has been introduced for ‘Just-in-time’
release of funds. For proper monitoring of projects under the Scheme, the States/UTs are also regularly
asked to geo-tag the projects in real time and update the progress on the Nyaya Vikas Portal.
Annexure-I
Rs. in Crore
Sl. States F.Y 2021-22 F.Y 2022-23 F.Y 2023-24 F.Y 202
No.
Allocated Utilised Allocated Utilised Allocated Utilised Allocated
1 Andhra 0.00 0.00 22.50 22.50 49.82 49.82 0.99
Pradesh
2 Bihar 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 67.45 67.45 107.81
3 Chhattisgarh 0.00 0.00 60.00 60.00 6.69 6.69 45.35
4 Goa 3.20 3.20 25.00 25.00 1.53 1.53 14.27
5 Gujarat 0.00 0.00 6.22 6.22 95.62 95.62 51.34
6 Haryana 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 20.10 20.10 0.00
7 Himachal 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.00 6.00 13.62
Pradesh8 Jharkhand 6.00 6.00 16.51 16.51 40.81 40.81 14.57
9 Karnataka 27.00 27.00 82.01 82.01 133.16 133.16 73.92
10 Kerala 50.00 50.00 0.00 0.00 7.00 7.00 45.89
11 Madhya 55.00 55.00 125.00 125.00 104.00 104.00 42.69
Pradesh
12 Maharashtra 18.00 18.00 100.00 100.00 119.53 119.53 118.36
13 Odisha 0.00 0.00 31.49 31.49 30.88 30.88 51.48
14 Punjab 16.50 16.50 12.50 12.50 18.42 18.42 0.00
15 Rajasthan 41.50 41.50 71.66 71.66 80.41 80.41 58.35
16 Tamil Nadu 35.66 35.66 133.85 133.85 0.00 0.00 61.27
17 Telangana 0.00 0.00 26.61 26.61 0.00 0.00 1.96
18 Uttarakhand 80.00 80.00 0.00 0.00 13.75 13.75 46.14
19 UttarPradesh 219.00 219.00 0.00 0.00 102.96 102.96 174.12
20 West Bengal 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 18.00 18.00 22.22
Total (A) 551.86 551.86 713.35 713.35 916.13 916.13 944.34
North Eastern States (B)
1 Arunachal 4.09 4.09 32.38 32.38 0.00 0.00 6.24
Pradesh
2 Assam 27.40 27.40 25.00 25.00 40.00 40.00 40.75
3 Manipur 0.00 0.00 12.85 12.85 0.00 0.00 3.71
4 Meghalaya 28.02 28.02 50.00 50.00 33.72 33.72 35.79
5 Mizoram 9.50 9.50 0.00 0.00 8.85 8.85 13.57
6 Nagaland 13.27 13.27 0.00 0.00 4.39 4.39 4.007 Sikkim 0.00 0.00 2.27 2.27 2.70 2.70 0.00
8 Tripura 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 40.49 40.49 20.00
Total(B) 82.28 82.28 122.50 122.50 130.15 130.15 124.06
Union Territories (C)
1 A&N Islands 0.46 0.46 0.00 0.00 0.49 0.49 0.075
2 Chandigarh 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
3 D & Nagar 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Haveli
4 Daman & 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Diu
5 Delhi 30.00 30.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 16.50
6 Jammu & 20.00 20.00 12.60 12.60 12.00 12.00 31.50
Kashmir
7 Ladakh 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.40 1.40 6.925
8 Lakshadweep 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
9 Puducherry 0.00 0.00 9.55 9.55 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 50.46 50.46 22.15 22.15 13.89 13.89 55.00
Grand Total 684.60 684.60 858.00 858.00 1,060.17 1,060.17 1,123.40
(A+B+C)
*As on 28.02.2026
This information was given by MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha
today.
***
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