Introduction
Robust judicial infrastructure is vital for fair, accessible, and timely justice delivery. Despite multiple Chief Justices raising concerns over poor court facilities—from lack of basic toilets to overcrowded court halls—the transformation has been slow. Various missions and centrally sponsored schemes have attempted to bridge the gap, but implementation challenges remain. As India grapples with caseloads and growing expectations, building courts fit for purpose is no longer optional—it’s a necessity.
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National Mission & Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)
Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Nyaya Vikas
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Launched in 1993–94, extended to 2021–26 with a total outlay of ₹9,000 crore (Centre’s share ~₹5,300 crore) for upgrading subordinate judiciary infrastructure.
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Funded by the Centre (60%) and states (40%) — 90:10 ratio for northeastern & Himalayan states; 100% for UTs.
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Infrastructure focus: 3,800 new court halls, 4,000 residential units, 1,450 lawyers’ halls, toilet complexes, and digital computer rooms.
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Implementation is monitored via the Nyaya Vikas-2.0 portal — projects are geo-tagged and reviewed quarterly.
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Mission for Justice Delivery & Legal Reforms
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Styled as broader national missions, these aim to reduce trial delays, improve infrastructure, and institutionalize reforms.
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Complement CSS by facilitating coordinated planning and implementation across judiciary and executive.
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e-Courts Project: Digitizing Access to Justice
Phase II (2015–2023)
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Over 18,735 courts computerized, and 99.5% WAN connectivity achieved across court complexes and jails.
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Services deliverable via mobile apps (ECMT, JustIS), SMS, kiosks, live streaming, and the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) with 27.6 crore judgments.
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Phase III (2023–2027)
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Approved budget of ₹7,210 crore, aimed at enhancing infrastructure for 10,200 courts, including video‑conferencing rooms, integration with hospitals and jails, and capacity building in lower judiciary.
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State-Level Reforms and Investments
Delhi Government’s ₹1,108 Crore Expansion
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Budget 2024–25 allocated ₹1,108 crore to build four new court complexes.
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FY25–26 budget earmarked ₹490 crore to add 200 courtrooms and integrate a hybrid (virtual + physical) hearing system.
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Additional allocation includes dedicated POCSO courts and judges’ capacity enhancement.
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Maharashtra's Rural Judicial Access
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Establishment of a Senior Division Civil Court in Washim district under a ₹1.76 crore project to ease rural justice access.
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Persisting Gaps and Concerns
Underutilised Funds & Poor State Ownership
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SC-NJDG and Supreme Court leadership have warned that most CSS funds remain unutilized — e.g., ₹982 crore sanctioned in 2019–20 but only ₹84.9 crore utilized.
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Lack of a central institutional mechanism hampers sustained implementation.
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Sub-standard Facilities & Gender Blindness
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According to 2022 data, only 40% of lower courts have fully functional toilets; many lack AV facilities or dedicated computer rooms.
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Women judges—especially at district courts—face infrastructural indignities daily.
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Analysts assert that judicial infrastructure gaps violate SDGs, calling for gender-sensitive facilities and accessible design.
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Court Staff Vacancies & Operational Disruptions
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Rajasthan court staff mass leave for restructuring led to hearing postponements; blamed missing corridors in infrastructure and unbearable workloads.
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Supreme Court decried lack of NIA courts affecting trial speed; inadequate infrastructure causing undertrial remand despite justice delays.
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Towards Reform: Proposed Institutional Frameworks
National/State Judicial Infrastructure Authority
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Former CJI N.V. Ramana and commentators proposed a National Judicial Infrastructure Authority of India (NJIAI) to coordinate planning and execution across Centre and states.
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However, multiple Chief Ministers opposed a national agency, preferring state-level authorities with executive representation.
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Single Monitoring Agency and Judiciary Representation
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Experts argue the absence of a centralized owner and judicial oversight on execution has led to inefficiencies.
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A dedicated coordination body—possibly SPV-based with judiciary and executive representation—could streamline fund usage and facility rollout.
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Gender-Inclusive Design & Infrastructure Indicators
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New infrastructure planning should embed gender-responsive indicators—e.g., safe restrooms, sanitary amenities, and accessible spaces.
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Participation of women judicial officers and litigants in design feedback loops is recommended.
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Conclusion
India’s judicial infrastructure mission has made strides via CSS-Nyaya Vikas and expansion of e‑Courts. Yet, persistent underutilization, lack of coherent institutional ownership, and standard deficits hinder progress. The judiciary and civil society must push for structural reform—whether through a national authority or empowered state frameworks—to ensure judicial buildings serve justice, dignity, and transparency.
Modern justice requires modern courts: gender-sensitive, digitally enabled, and adequately staffed. Only then can India deliver justice—not just in promise, but in practice.