The Supreme Court of India is taking notable strides towards technological modernization by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) tools into its case management systems. As officially communicated, these advanced technologies are being leveraged across multiple facets, including transcription, translation, defect detection, and data management—aimed at improving both efficiency and accessibility in the judicial system.
AI Transcription of Oral Arguments
One of the most prominent applications of AI is the real-time transcription of oral arguments, particularly in Constitution Bench cases. These AI-assisted transcriptions can be accessed directly from the Supreme Court’s official website. The competent authority is also considering expanding AI transcription services to include regular hearing days, specifically on Thursdays, to further enhance transparency and record-keeping.
Multilingual Judgment Translation
In its pursuit of inclusivity, the Supreme Court Registry, in close collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), is utilizing AI and ML-based tools to translate judgments from English into 18 major Indian languages. These include Assamese, Bengali, Garo, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Khasi, Konkani, Malayali, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Santali, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. The translated judgments are made available to the public through the eSCR portal, significantly broadening access to justice in various linguistic communities.
AI-Powered Defect Identification
The Registry, in partnership with IIT Madras, has developed AI and ML tools that are now integrated with the Supreme Court’s electronic filing software. These tools assist in identifying procedural defects in case filings. Recently, 200 Advocates-on-Record were granted access to a proto-type of this technology for feedback, a step aimed at further bolstering the right to access and effective administration of justice.
Data Extraction and Electronic Case Management
Further collaborations with IIT Madras are underway to test AI and ML prototypes capable of auto-correcting defects, extracting data and metadata from case files. These will soon be integrated with the Supreme Court’s Integrated Case Management & Information System (ICMIS), streamlining administrative processes and case tracking.
No AI in Judicial Decision-Making
It is important to note that, despite these advancements, the Supreme Court has not implemented AI or ML tools in its actual judicial decision-making processes. Human judgment continues to remain at the core of legal determinations.
Experimental Stage: SUPACE for Legal Research
On the research front, the Supreme Court is developing the Supreme Court Portal Assistance in Court Efficiency (SUPACE), an AI-based tool designed to understand case facts, conduct intelligent precedent searches, and improve case identification. Currently, SUPACE is in the experimental phase, with its deployment contingent upon securing advanced hardware such as graphic processing units and Tensor Processing Units.
This comprehensive update was shared by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Law and Justice and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
