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Odisha Courts Digitization: e-Courts Project Phase III Update

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity

PolityGovernanceGovernance

Why in news

The Union Law Minister informed Rajya Sabha about the progress of e-Courts Mission Mode Project in Odisha. The update highlights significant digitization of court records, paperless courts, and virtual hearings, reflecting the government's push for ICT in judiciary.

Background

The e-Courts Project is a pan-India mission mode project under the Department of Justice, implemented in coordination with the e-Committee of the Supreme Court and respective High Courts. Phase III (2023-2027) focuses on digitization, paperless courts, and integrated criminal justice system.

Key facts

in5points

  1. 817 out of 845 courts and 203 out of 215 court complexes in Odisha equipped with ICT hardware under Phase III.

  2. 42.96 lakh old case records (24.17 crore pages) digitized in High Court and district courts as of 30 June 2026.

  3. 18 High Court courts and 343 district judiciary courts operate in paperless mode using PDF-based tools.

  4. All 30 district court websites migrated to S3WAAS platform.

  5. 320 district judiciary establishments migrated from CIS 3.0 to CIS 4.0.

  6. Since 1 Jan 2026, CIS used 3.10 lakh FIRs and 2.29 lakh charge sheets via ICJS platform.

  7. e-Filing 3.0 implemented in all courts; 1.31 lakh cases e-filed as of 30 June 2026.

  8. Video conferencing facilities available in all courts; 7.61 lakh virtual hearings conducted as of 30 June 2026.

  9. 184 e-Seva Kendras established across the state for remote access to justice.

  10. Tripartite agreement among Orissa High Court, Odisha government, and central government for fund release.

Prelims pointers

  • e-Courts Mission Mode Project
  • Phase III (2023-2027)
  • e-Committee of Supreme Court
  • CIS 3.0 and CIS 4.0
  • ICJS (Inter-operable Criminal Justice System)
  • S3WAAS platform
  • e-Filing 3.0
  • e-Seva Kendra
  • Orissa High Court
  • Department of Justice

Mains angles

  • Role of ICT in judicial efficiency and access to justice
  • Challenges in digitization of courts in India
  • Integration of criminal justice system through ICJS
  • E-governance in judiciary: achievements and way forward