One Case One Data and Su Sahay: CJI’s Digital Court Push
Why in the news
The Chief Justice of India unveiled two technology steps in court to make the judiciary more connected and easier for ordinary people to use.
Key facts
- Announced by: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, in open court.
- One Case One Data: one joined-up digital database spanning taluk, district, High Court and Supreme Court levels.
- Single identity: a case keeps the same digital identity as it moves between courts.
- Su Sahay: an AI-powered chatbot linked to the Supreme Court website that helps with court procedures, case status, filings and litigant services.
- Backdrop: over 5 crore cases are pending across Indian courts.
Why it matters
- At present a case can carry different reference numbers and partly mismatched records in different courts; one database removes duplication and eases tracking.
- It supports faster transfers and disposals and allows better policy analysis of pendency and case flow.
- Su Sahay helps first-time and rural litigants, advocates, law students, journalists and the public who find websites or procedures daunting.
- It ties in with Article 39A, the directive on equal justice and free legal aid.
Related digital platforms
- NJDG (National Judicial Data Grid): real-time pendency, disposal and case-status data, run by the National Informatics Centre.
- CIS (Case Information System): standard case-management software for district and subordinate courts.
- SUPACE: AI research portal for the Supreme Court, launched in 2021 to help judges, not replace them.
- SUVAS: AI translation tool turning Supreme Court judgments from English into regional languages.
About the e-Courts Mission Mode Project
| Phase | Period | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| I | 2007-2015 | Computerised courts and basic infrastructure |
| II | 2015-2023 | Networked courts, e-filing, virtual hearings, online services |
| III | 2023 onwards | AI, paperless courts, integrated platforms, smart case management; about ₹7,210 crore approved |
The programme is run by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice.
Exam angle
- CJI is appointed by the President under Article 124(2); by convention the senior-most judge is chosen.
- Pendency split mentioned: Supreme Court about 80,000+, High Courts about 62 lakh, district courts about 4.5 crore.
- Expansions to remember: SUPACE and SUVAS.