New Delhi: The Centre said it is strengthening the judicial infrastructure scheme for district and subordinate courts by funding new facilities and expanding digital systems across the country.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal shared the details in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. He said the government continues to support states and Union Territories through a centrally sponsored programme for court infrastructure.
The scheme for the development of infrastructure facilities for the judiciary has been in operation since 1993–94. It provides financial assistance to states and Union Territories under a prescribed fund-sharing pattern.
The programme covers five major components of court infrastructure. These include court halls, residential units for judicial officers, lawyers’ halls, toilet complexes and digital computer rooms.
As of February 28, 2026, the sanctioned strength of judges in district and subordinate courts stood at 25,894. However, the working strength was 21,027 judges.
Authorities said 22,712 court halls are currently available across the country. The judge-to-population ratio now stands at about 22 judges per million population.
The government said infrastructure norms follow recommendations of the National Court Management Systems Committee of the Supreme Court. State government practices and CPWD or PWD standards are also considered.
Judicial infrastructure scheme supports digital court systems
The government has also expanded several digital initiatives under the judicial infrastructure scheme to modernise court operations. A web-based initiative called Digital Courts aims to make court functioning paperless.
Under the eCourts project, about 1.07 crore cases have been filed through the e-filing system. The e-payment system has processed court-fee transactions worth ₹1,404 crore.
Authorities have also digitised nearly 660.36 crore pages of court records. This effort aims to improve access to case information and reduce paperwork.
The National Service and Tracking of Electronic Processes system has processed 7.26 crore electronic processes. Out of these, courts successfully delivered 2.09 crore notices.
Video conferencing facilities now operate in 3,240 court complexes and 1,272 jails. These systems enable remote hearings for under-trials, witnesses and lawyers.
Litigants can also access case information through the National Judicial Data Grid platform. The system currently hosts over 35.17 crore court orders.
Officials said the JustIS mobile application helps judges monitor case pendency and disposal. The app has recorded more than 22,000 downloads so far.
Meanwhile, the Case Information System Version 4.0 manages cases filed in courts using free and open-source software.
The government also created monitoring systems to ensure timely completion of infrastructure projects. A Central Level Monitoring Committee in the Department of Justice reviews the progress regularly.
Each state also has a High Court Level Monitoring Committee chaired by the Chief Justice of the respective High Court.
Authorities track project progress through the Nyaya Vikas portal. States and Union Territories upload real-time updates and geo-tag projects on the platform.
The government also introduced the SNA-SPARSH fund release system to ensure timely fund transfers.
Officials said these measures aim to accelerate court infrastructure development and strengthen digital services for the judiciary.
