Supreme Court: Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee Interim Report Submitted

• The Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee, led by Justice Aravind Kumar, submitted its interim report to CJI Surya Kant on August 31.
• The report outlines a roadmap for modernizing court infrastructure, bridging the digital divide, and securing greater government funding.
• Constituted on May 12, 2026, the committee examined infrastructure deficiencies and facilities for all court stakeholders.
• Key recommendations include expanding the e-Courts initiative and improving overall judicial administration efficiency.
• The report aims to provide a structured framework for modern, accessible, and technology-enabled court complexes across India.

The recommendations put forth by the committee are designed to offer a structured framework for addressing infrastructure deficits and securing appropriate government allocations for the proposed modernization efforts.

A significant step towards enhancing India's judicial infrastructure was recently taken with the submission of the Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee interim report. This comprehensive blueprint, presented to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Monday, August 31, outlines a strategic roadmap for modernizing court facilities nationwide and advocates for increased government funding. The committee, established by CJI Surya Kant on May 12, 2026, was tasked with delivering its preliminary findings by the end of August.

The interim report, spearheaded by Supreme Court Justice Aravind Kumar, addresses critical measures aimed at updating court infrastructure, bridging the existing digital divide, and securing more robust financial support from the government. Its core objective is to tackle long-standing deficiencies in judicial facilities and ensure adequate funding is allocated to overhaul the justice delivery system across the country. This initiative represents a foundational effort in the broader India court modernization roadmap.

The Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee, often referred to as the Justice Aravind Kumar committee report, undertook an extensive examination of various aspects impacting the judiciary. Its mandate included scrutinizing infrastructure shortcomings that hinder court operations and assessing the necessary facilities for a diverse group of stakeholders, including judges, judicial and administrative staff, lawyers, litigants, and general visitors. The panel also explored strategies for developing contemporary court complexes and improving the working conditions for all judicial and administrative personnel.

A crucial element of the committee's work involved advancing the computerization of courts under the e-Courts initiative expansion India. The report delves into methods for broadening citizen-centric services and making access to justice more inclusive. Furthermore, it identifies specific ways to overcome the digital divide, which continues to impede equitable access to technology-enabled justice. The committee also considered the essential infrastructure and technological requirements needed to significantly enhance the overall efficiency of judicial administration and service delivery.

The recommendations put forth by the committee are designed to offer a structured framework for addressing infrastructure deficits and securing appropriate government allocations for the proposed modernization efforts. This aligns with the broader vision of the CJI Surya Kant infrastructure panel to move beyond addressing isolated infrastructure needs and instead establish a comprehensive national framework for modern, accessible, and technologically advanced court complexes throughout India.

These Supreme Court judicial funding recommendations are critical for realizing the ambitious goals outlined in the interim report. The Supreme Court itself views these proposals as instrumental in providing a clear roadmap for securing the necessary financial backing to implement the extensive modernization measures. This strategic approach underscores a commitment to transforming the physical and digital landscape of the nation's judiciary.

The Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee, tasked with this pivotal undertaking, comprises a distinguished group of legal and administrative experts. Alongside Supreme Court Justice Aravind Kumar, who chairs the committee, members include Justice Debangsu Basak, Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan from the Bombay High Court. The panel also benefits from the expertise of Satinder Pal Singh, Director General of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), and Bharat Parashar, who serves as the Member Secretary and Secretary General of the Supreme Court.

The submission of this Judicial Infrastructure Advisory Committee interim report signifies the completion of the first major phase of the committee's work since its establishment. Its findings are expected to lay the groundwork for a more efficient, accessible, and technologically integrated judicial system in India.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the progress and implementation of this roadmap, as it signifies potential future improvements in court efficiency, digital access, and overall judicial administration in India. These changes could impact litigation timelines, filing procedures, and the accessibility of justice, requiring adjustments to legal strategies and client expectations.

Source: Original reporting via Supreme Court of India panel