AI in Indian Courtrooms: Future Judges?

Published Date : 6/9/2025 

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Indian judicial system is gaining momentum, with the potential to revolutionize how cases are processed and judgments are delivered. 

In the past week, news of the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the judicial sphere has been making a lot of buzz. It has been suggested that India is all set to introduce 'robotic judges' to deal with routine cases and help judges in quickly processing cases.

Reportedly, district judges are being trained to utilize artificial intelligence, and such training courses are being held internationally. The goal of this infusion is to ensure ethical and efficient use of AI to speed up justice without replacing human judges.

A 'robo judge' was first used in Estonia in 2019, where experiments began with AI-enabled verdicts in low-level disputes. Later, China also introduced an AI-assisted verdict delivery model, deploying machine learning tools in millions of cases.

The real question is whether there is any confirmation from the Modi government on this. While there has been no specific confirmation from the Centre, last year, speaking at the 75-year celebrations of the Supreme Court of India, Prime Minister Modi had said, 'The third phase of the e-Courts project was also approved. We are moving towards creating a unified technology platform. Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Optical Character Recognition will be used under this. We will be able to analyze pending cases and even predict future litigations. Technology will integrate police, forensics, jails, and courts, and will speed up their work as well. We are moving towards a justice system that will be fully future-ready.'

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Law and Justice issued a press release exploring the transformative role of AI in India's judiciary and law enforcement, highlighting its applications, impact, and future potential in ensuring a more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric justice system.

Referring to the e-Courts Project (Phase III) initiated under the aegis of the Supreme Court of India, the Government of India has allocated a total of ₹7210 Crore. Specifically, ₹53.57 Crore is earmarked for the integration of AI and Blockchain technologies across High Courts in India. This financial commitment underscores the importance of leveraging advanced technology to achieve greater efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in the judicial system.

Notably, AI is improving witness testimony analysis and courtroom evidence evaluation. Additionally, as India’s judicial system operates primarily in English, creating barriers for non-English-speaking litigants, AI-driven legal translation tools are being deployed to make legal documents and judgments accessible. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What are 'robo judges' and how do they work?

A: Robo judges are AI systems designed to assist in the judicial process. They can handle routine cases, analyze evidence, and provide initial verdicts, helping to speed up the justice system without replacing human judges.

Q: Has the Indian government officially confirmed the use of AI judges?

A: While there has been no specific confirmation from the Centre, Prime Minister Modi has mentioned the integration of AI in the judicial system during the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Supreme Court of India.

Q: What are the potential benefits of using AI in the judicial system?

A: The potential benefits include faster case processing, improved accuracy in evidence analysis, and increased accessibility for non-English-speaking litigants through AI-driven translation tools.

Q: How much funding has been allocated for AI integration in the Indian judicial system?

A: The Government of India has allocated ₹53.57 Crore specifically for the integration of AI and Blockchain technologies across High Courts in India as part of the e-Courts Project (Phase III).

Q: What are some concerns regarding the use of AI in the judicial system?

A: Some concerns include the ethical implications of AI decision-making, the need for transparency in AI algorithms, and the potential for bias in AI systems. Ensuring that AI is used ethically and effectively is crucial. 

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