The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, constituted the Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee on 12–13 May 2026 to prepare a comprehensive national roadmap for improving judicial infrastructure across India.
The Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee has been constituted to strengthen court infrastructure, improve judicial administration, promote computerisation of courts, and enhance financial planning for judicial facilities across India. It also aims to develop citizen-centric judicial services that make courts more accessible and efficient. The initiative reflects the increasing need to modernise India’s justice delivery system through better infrastructure, digital technology, and improved public access to justice.
Chairperson & Members:
The committee is headed by: Justice Aravind Kumar — Judge of the Supreme Court of India. The committee includes senior judges and administrative officials:
- Justice Debangsu Basak
- Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra
- Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan
- Director General of the Central Public Works Department
- Secretary General of the Supreme Court of India.
The Secretary General of the Supreme Court of India serves as the Member Secretary of the committee. The Member Secretary is responsible for:
- Coordinating meetings and committee activities
- Maintaining records and official documentation
- Preparing reports and recommendations
- Communicating with government agencies and institutions
- Assisting in implementation and follow-up actions
The role is important for ensuring smooth institutional functioning and effective decision-making.
Objectives of the Committee:
- Identifying Infrastructure Constraints: The committee will examine the major problems and deficiencies in judicial infrastructure across India. It will study issues such as the shortage of court halls, poor maintenance of court buildings, and lack of residential facilities for judicial officers, inadequate digital infrastructure, and delays caused by outdated filing systems. The objective is to identify these challenges and recommend measures to improve the overall functioning of courts.
- Improving Facilities for Stakeholders: The committee will recommend better facilities for judges, lawyers, litigants, and court staff to improve the overall functioning of courts. Its recommendations may include upgrading courtrooms, waiting areas, and record rooms, along with improving accessibility facilities, security arrangements, and basic amenities in court complexes to create a more efficient and user-friendly judicial environment.
- Computerisation of Courts: A major focus of the committee is the computerisation and digital transformation of courts across India. It will examine measures such as e-filing systems, virtual court proceedings, digital case management, and online access to court records, video conferencing facilities, and electronic document storage. The objective is to use technology to improve the efficiency, transparency, and speed of the judicial system.
- Reducing the Digital Divide: The committee has also been tasked with recommending citizen-centric services to reduce the digital divide in access to justice. It will focus on simplified online court services, assistance centres for digital filing, better technology access in rural areas, user-friendly e-court platforms, and multilingual digital services. The aim is to ensure that people who lack digital knowledge or resources are not excluded from accessing judicial services.
Financial Allocation for Judicial Infrastructure:
The committee is expected to recommend a large-scale government investment of about ₹40,000 crore to ₹50,000 crore for improving judicial infrastructure in India. This funding may be used for the construction of new court complexes, modernisation of existing courts, residential facilities for judges, development of digital and IT infrastructure, introduction of smart court technologies, and upgradation of subordinate courts across the country.
Interim Report and Timeline:
The committee is scheduled to submit an interim report to the Chief Justice of India by 31 August 2026. After its submission, the recommendations will be placed before the Union Government and State Governments for further consideration. These recommendations are expected to guide future policy decisions and budget allocations related to judicial reforms and infrastructure development in India.
Judicial Infrastructure in India:
- Judicial infrastructure in India refers to the physical and technological facilities required for the smooth and effective functioning of courts. Strong judicial infrastructure is essential for improving the efficiency of the justice delivery system and ensuring better access to justice for citizens.
- The physical infrastructure of the judiciary includes court complexes, courtrooms, and residential quarters for judges, libraries, record rooms, waiting halls, and other public facilities required in court premises. Proper physical infrastructure helps courts function in an organised and efficient manner.
- Digital infrastructure includes computer systems, e-court services, internet connectivity, digital filing systems, and video conferencing platforms. These technological facilities support the computerisation of courts and help improve transparency, speed, and accessibility in judicial administration.
Judicial Administration in India:
- India’s judicial administration operates under the constitutional framework consisting of the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, and subordinate courts. These institutions together form the judicial system responsible for delivering justice across the country.
- The judiciary plays a vital role in protecting constitutional rights, delivering justice, maintaining the rule of law, and resolving disputes. For this system to function effectively, strong and efficient judicial infrastructure is essential.
Significance of the Committee:
The establishment of the Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee is important because it aims to:
- Strengthen the justice delivery system
- Reduce delays and case pendency
- Improve access to courts
- Promote digital justice
- Modernise judicial administration
- Enhance transparency and efficiency
The initiative also supports the broader goal of creating a more accessible, technology-driven, and citizen-friendly judiciary in India.
The Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee represents a major step toward modernising India’s judicial system. By focusing on infrastructure development, digital transformation, and citizen-centric reforms, the committee aims to improve the overall efficiency and accessibility of courts across the country.
Its recommendations are expected to play a significant role in shaping future judicial reforms and strengthening the administration of justice in India.