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Legal Reforms: E-Courts, Fast Track Courts, and Access to Justice

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity

PolityJudiciaryGovernanceGovernance

Why in news

The government has provided an update on various legal reforms aimed at reducing pendency and improving access to justice. Key initiatives include the e-Court Project Phase III, Fast Track Special Courts for sexual offences, and the DISHA 2.0 scheme for holistic access to justice.

Background

Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the right to a speedy trial. The government has been implementing several measures to reduce case pendency and enhance judicial efficiency through technology and alternative dispute resolution.

Key facts

in5points

  1. e-Court Project Phase III (2023-2027) approved on 13.09.2023 with an outlay of ₹7,210 crore.

  2. Over 4.14 crore court hearings conducted via video conferencing; live streaming available in many High Courts.

  3. 2,515 e-Seva Kendras provide free e-court services in High Courts and District Courts.

  4. 775 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) operational in 29 states/UTs as of 30.04.2026, including 398 exclusive POCSO courts.

  5. FTSCs disposed of 3,87,481 cases cumulatively as of 30.04.2026.

  6. Arrear Committees formed in all 25 High Courts and District Courts for cases pending over 5 years.

  7. DISHA 2.0 scheme (2026-2031) with ₹255 crore budget aims to provide integrated solutions for access to justice via Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, legal literacy, and VIDHI-Sanjeevani.

  8. Over 1.13 crore pre-litigation legal advice provided as of 30.06.2026; 10,835 advocates registered on Nyaya Bandhu platform.

  9. Nyaya Setu AI chatbot provides multilingual interaction and structured data collection.

  10. Total pending cases as of 16.07.2026: Supreme Court 96,024; High Courts 64,72,536; District & Subordinate Courts 4,98,45,538.

Prelims pointers

  • Article 21: Right to speedy trial
  • e-Court Project Phase III: 2023-2027, ₹7,210 crore
  • Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for rape and sexual offences
  • POCSO: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act
  • DISHA 2.0: Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (2026-2031, ₹255 crore)
  • Tele-Law: pre-litigation legal advice via telephone
  • Nyaya Bandhu: free advocate platform
  • VIDHI-Sanjeevani: Vision for Integrated Delivery of Harmonious Legal Initiatives
  • Nyaya Setu: AI chatbot
  • National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG)

Mains angles

  • Discuss the effectiveness of e-Courts and technology in reducing judicial pendency.
  • Critically examine the role of Fast Track Special Courts in delivering speedy justice for sexual offences.
  • Evaluate the impact of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (Lok Adalats, mediation) on the justice system.
  • Analyze the constitutional mandate under Article 21 and the government's efforts to ensure access to justice.