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Centre Continues Support for Judicial Infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh Under CSS

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity

PolitySchemes

Why in news

The Union Law Minister informed Lok Sabha about the ongoing central support for judicial infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). The scheme, which started in 1993-94, aims to develop infrastructure for district and subordinate courts. For FY 2026-27, Andhra Pradesh has been allocated a mother sanction of ₹8.79 crore.

Background

The primary responsibility for creating infrastructure facilities for district and subordinate courts lies with state governments/UTs. To augment their resources, the central government has been implementing the CSS since 1993-94. The scheme covers five components: court halls, residential units for judicial officers, advocates' halls, toilet complexes, and digital computer rooms.

Key facts

in5points

  1. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for judicial infrastructure has been in place since 1993-94.

  2. CSS covers five components: court halls, residential units for judicial officers, advocates' halls, toilet complexes, and digital computer rooms.

  3. The scheme is evaluated by a third-party agency and the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee (DRPSC).

  4. Projects under CSS are identified by states/UTs and high courts; funds are allocated after receiving detailed demands.

  5. For FY 2026-27, Andhra Pradesh received a mother sanction of ₹8.79 crore.

  6. The scheme's original end date was 31.03.2026, temporarily extended to 30.09.2026.

  7. Over the past five years (2021-22 to 2025-26), Andhra Pradesh released and utilized ₹104.29 crore under CSS.

  8. As of 31.05.2026, Andhra Pradesh had 137 vacant judicial posts out of 875 sanctioned posts across 13 judicial districts.

  9. Two infrastructure projects started before 2021 are still under construction: a residential quarter in Ramachandrapuram (Konaseema) and a six-court building complex in Adoni (Kurnool).

  10. An online monitoring mechanism called the Nyay Vikas Portal exists for compiling and monitoring project progress.

Prelims pointers

  • Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Judicial Infrastructure
  • Started in 1993-94
  • Components: court halls, residential units, advocates' halls, toilet complexes, digital computer rooms
  • Evaluated by third-party agency and DRPSC
  • Mother sanction: ₹8.79 crore for Andhra Pradesh (2026-27)
  • Scheme extended to 30.09.2026
  • Nyay Vikas Portal for online monitoring
  • Total sanctioned posts in Andhra Pradesh: 875; vacancies: 137 (as of 31.05.2026)

Mains angles

  • Discuss the role of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in strengthening judicial infrastructure in India.
  • Critically examine the challenges in filling judicial vacancies and their impact on access to justice.
  • Analyze the effectiveness of the Nyay Vikas Portal in monitoring judicial infrastructure projects.