Relevance for UPSC: GS II (Judiciary, Governance), GS IV (Ethics in Technology)
Source: Indian Express ;Supreme Court of India

Context

To tackle chronic case pendency (over 5 crore cases across courts) and procedural delays, Indian courts are increasingly deploying Artificial Intelligence-based tools to assist judges in transcription, translation, document management and research, without compromising judicial independence.

Key Applications

• Live Transcription and Translation
  The Supreme Court uses the Technology Enabled Resolution system to convert oral arguments into text in real time.
  SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software) has translated over 83,000 judgments into 18 Indian languages, strengthening access to justice.
• Case and Document Management
  Artificial intelligence tools help flag filing defects, missing annexures and procedural lapses at the entry stage in several High Courts, reducing avoidable delays.
• Legal Research Assistance
  Artificial intelligence supports judges and lawyers in handling large volumes of precedents and records, but final reasoning and decisions remain human-led.

Safeguards and Ethics

• Artificial intelligence is assistive, not adjudicatory
• Human oversight at every stage
• In-house systems with sovereign data control

Significance

Artificial intelligence improves efficiency, inclusiveness and accuracy in courts while preserving judicial discretion, fairness and constitutional values.

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Artificial Intelligence is used in Indian courts for transcription and translation of proceedings.
2. Artificial Intelligence systems can independently adjudicate disputes in courts.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (a)