Evaluating ICT Adoption in the Indian Judiciary: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Impact of the E-Courts Project

Abstract

Over recent decades, the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) across various industries has significantly boosted human effort and creativity. The legal sector, particularly the Indian Judiciary, is no exception to this trend. In response, the Supreme Court of India implemented the National Policy and Action Plan for ICT deployment in the Indian Judiciary (Action Plan 2005) via the e-Courts Project in 2005. This paper critically examines the Indian government's and Supreme Court's efforts to integrate ICT within Indian courts. It assesses the e-Courts Project's successes and challenges during its initial two phases, focusing on the objectives outlined in Action Plan 2005. The analysis revolves around three primary goals: reducing the backlog of pending cases and judicial workload, cutting down litigation costs and complexities, and improving transparency and legal literacy in judicial processes. By exploring progress in these areas, the paper offers insights into whether a strategic reorientation is needed for the upcoming third phase of the e-Courts Project.