Nationwide program supports court infrastructure development and digital reforms across India
The Government of India has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to support the development of infrastructure facilities for district and subordinate courts across the country, including in Nagaland.
The scheme, which has been in operation since 1993-94, aims to assist states and Union Territories in strengthening judicial infrastructure by providing financial assistance under a prescribed fund-sharing pattern between the Centre and the states.
According to information provided by the Ministry of Law and Justice in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, March 12, the scheme covers several components including construction of court halls, residential units for judicial officers, lawyers’ halls, toilet complexes and digital computer rooms.
Data released by the ministry shows that Nagaland received Rs 13.27 crore under the scheme in the financial year 2021-22 and the entire amount was utilized. In 2023-24, the state was allocated Rs 4.39 crore, which was also fully utilized. For 2024-25, Nagaland received Rs 4 crore and utilized the full allocation. In the current financial year 2025-26, the state has been allocated Rs 1 crore so far.
The ministry said that while the primary responsibility for developing infrastructure for district and subordinate courts rests with state governments and Union Territories, the central scheme is intended to augment their resources and accelerate infrastructure development.
Digital initiatives and judicial capacity
Across the country, the sanctioned strength of judges currently stands at 25,894, while the working strength is 21,027. As of February 28, 2026, a total of 22,712 court halls are available in district and subordinate courts nationwide. The judge-to-population ratio in India stands at approximately 22 judges per million population.
The government has also introduced several digital initiatives aimed at modernizing court systems and improving efficiency. Under the eCourts Project, about 1.07 crore cases have been filed through e-filing, while the e-payment system has processed court fee transactions worth Rs 1,404 crore. In addition, around 660.36 crore pages of court records have been digitised.
To further streamline judicial processes, the National Service and Tracking of Electronic Processes system has processed 7.26 crore electronic processes, of which 2.09 crore have been successfully delivered. Video conferencing facilities have also been expanded to 3,240 court complexes and 1,272 jails to facilitate remote hearings involving under-trials, witnesses and lawyers.
The ministry also stated that litigants can access case information related to more than 35.17 crore court orders through the National Judicial Data Grid platform.
As part of the push towards digitalization, a web-based initiative called Digital Courts has been introduced to make court functioning paperless. The Case Information System Version 4.0 is currently being used to digitally manage cases filed in courts, while the JustIS mobile application allows judges to monitor pendency and disposal of cases.
Monitoring mechanisms have also been put in place to ensure timely implementation of judicial infrastructure projects. A Central Level Monitoring Committee in the Department of Justice, chaired by the Secretary of the department, oversees progress at the national level, while High Court Level Monitoring Committees headed by respective Chief Justices review implementation within states.
In addition, an online monitoring platform called the Nyaya Vikas portal has been developed to track the progress of infrastructure projects and ensure timely completion.
The information was provided by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
