Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has stressed the inclusion of technological advancements in judicial training, noting that capacity-building programmes for judges should extend beyond basic digital literacy to include a structured understanding of artificial intelligence.
Delivering the keynote address at a technology and judicial education conclave in Gangtok on Friday, the CJI highlighted the need for judicial academies to incorporate specialised modules on artificial intelligence, particularly its interface with foundational legal doctrines such as the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness.
The event, organised by the High Court of Sikkim in collaboration with the Sikkim Judicial Academy, brought together members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, and policymakers to deliberate on the digitisation of court systems and the evolving adjudicatory framework.
The CJI underscored that judicial education must strike a balance between technological integration and constitutional values, ensuring that the adjudicatory process remains anchored in due process and the rule of law while adapting to emerging tools.
Highlighting the judiciary’s transition from physical to digital access, he noted that technology has significantly improved access to justice by reducing geographical barriers and enabling litigants to approach judicial forums through virtual platforms. He observed that the e-Courts project has streamlined court procedures, minimised reliance on paper-based systems, and enhanced procedural efficiency.
On the increasing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the justice delivery system, the CJI referred to tools such as the Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software (SUVAS) and the Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court’s Efficiency (SUPACE), which help in swift translation of judicial records and legal research.
He noted that such technologies function as institutional enablers, which not only ease the workload on judges by providing rapid comprehensive resources to the Bench, but also lead to deeper engagement with complex legal questions.
At the same time, he cautioned that the deployment of AI must be subject to judicial oversight and critical evaluation. He stressed the need for training programmes to equip judges with the ability to identify algorithmic bias, ensure transparency, and prevent any distortion of the adjudicatory process.
The CJI also highlighted the importance of strengthening digital infrastructure through standardisation initiatives such as the National Core Case Information System (NCCIS) and expanding e-Sewa Kendras into comprehensive digital facilitation centres for litigants.
Looking ahead, he stated that technology should serve as an aid to judicial reasoning rather than a substitute. He emphasised that the next generation of judges must be trained to integrate innovation with constitutional morality, ensuring that the justice delivery system remains fair, impartial, and grounded in established legal principles.
He further spoke about the need to balance technological advancement with foundational legal principles, noting that the judiciary’s migration to a digital ecosystem must remain firmly anchored in its core jurisprudential values. Such a calibrated transition would ensure that the adoption of digital processes was guided by rigorous legal scholarship and the enduring principles that underpin the administration of justice delivery system.
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