Published on: 13 March, 2026 20:01 IST
n a groundbreaking administrative reform, the Supreme Court of India is set to introduce artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software to handle case listing and bench allocation, effectively eliminating human intervention in these processes.
The decision, approved by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, aims to boost transparency, minimize administrative discretion, and address longstanding concerns over the “master of the roster” system—where the CJI traditionally decides case assignments to benches. This power has periodically faced criticism for lacking full transparency.
Under the proposed system, AI will automate:
- Assignment of cases to appropriate benches
- Management of listing schedules
These functions are currently managed by the Supreme Court registry under the CJI’s oversight. The shift is expected to bring greater consistency, reduce potential irregularities, and modernize court administration.
The move follows an internal review that reportedly uncovered systemic issues in the registry, including prolonged tenures of some officials in key positions and reliance on outdated systems that may have enabled lapses. It gained momentum after observations during proceedings before a bench led by CJI Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi.
The initiative aligns with CJI Kant’s broader push to leverage technology for efficient, accessible, and fair justice delivery. The Supreme Court has already reconstituted its AI Committee and is advancing AI tools in other areas, such as case management and backlog reduction.
Alongside the AI rollout, the registry has seen a wave of interdepartmental transfers to break entrenched incumbencies and refresh administrative practices.
This development marks one of the most significant tech-driven changes in the Supreme Court’s operational framework in recent years, potentially setting a precedent for other courts while addressing calls for greater impartiality in judicial administration. Implementation details, including the timeline and specific AI safeguards, are awaited from official sources.