Before The End Of CJI Gavai's Tenure, Supreme Court's In-House Research Centre Releases 10 Pathbreaking Reports

Before the Chief Justice of India, Justice B.R. Gavai demits office, the Centre for Research and Planning (CRP), the in-house research centre of the Supreme Court of India, has released 10 landmark reports. Collectively, these reports address some of the most pressing issues before the judiciary today: including the reform of colonial and caste-coded administrative terminology in court documents, the evolution of judicial discourse on caste, global and national standards on indigenous rights, the strengthening of court research systems, child rights, prison reforms, menstrual leave policy, legal aid capacity-building, and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence in the justice system.

These are now available under the “Publications” tab of CRP: https://www.sci.gov.in/centre-for-research-and-planning/

These 10 reports, produced over months of collaborative legal research, reflect the outgoing Chief Justice's strong commitment to judicial reform, institutional strengthening, and the development of nuanced scholarship on issues affecting courts, legal practitioners, and marginalised communities.

Under Justice Gavai's stewardship, the release of these ten reports marks a transformative step in strengthening the judiciary's internal discourse, enhancing institutional transparency, and advancing socially responsive jurisprudence.

In the farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association on 21 November 2025, Chief Justice Gavai praised the work of the Research Centre: “I must also place on record the wonderful work done by our Centre for Research and Planning. Anurag and his team have really worked towards various publications.”

Upon taking office, Chief Justice Gavai appointed Dr. Anurag Bhaskar, an academician, as Director of CRP. Dr. Bhaskar had previously been appointed Deputy Registrar by then Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, and later served as Officer on Special Duty at the National Legal Services Authority. Dr Bhaskar worked closely with Secretary General Shekhar C. Munghate in the finalisation of each report, ensuring rigorous institutional review and alignment with the Court's administrative priorities. The Centre has expanded into a vibrant research institution comprising nearly 30 researchers and staff, dedicated to strengthening judicial administration and generating high-quality discourse on contemporary legal issues.

Summaries of the 10 Reports Released

1. Reforming Administrative Nomenclature in the Indian Judiciary: This report identifies caste-coded, colonial, and hierarchical designations in High Court service rules and recommends their replacement with dignity-affirming, neutral terms. It includes a formal letter from Chief Justice Gavai to all Chief Justices urging timely amendments.

2. Report on Judicial Conceptions of Caste: A study of Constitution Bench judgments over 75 years, mapping how the Supreme Court has described caste, spotlighting both problematic language and progressive shifts. It calls for a shift towards inclusive and constitutionally grounded judicial vocabulary.

3. Reference Manual on Indigenous Rights: A first-of-its-kind resource detailing global and Indian frameworks on Indigenous identity, land and resource rights, self-determination, cultural rights, and comparative constitutional practices.

4. Appointing Law Researchers in High Courts and District Judiciary: This report proposes reforms to streamline law clerk recruitment across High Courts and proposes a groundbreaking pilot programme for appointing clerks in district courts, an essential step for strengthening grassroots judicial administration.

5. Handbook for Law Clerks-cum-Research Associates: A comprehensive ethical and professional guide for Supreme Court law clerks, consolidating standards on research, drafting, confidentiality, conduct, and responsible AI usage.

6. White Paper on Menstrual Leave: India's first institutional research paper on menstrual leave, presenting constitutional principles, health considerations, global practices, and two model leave policies adaptable by institutions across sectors.

7. White Paper on Artificial Intelligence and Judiciary: A detailed analysis of global AI trends in the judiciaries, India's existing AI tools (including transcription, translation, and research assistants), and ethical risks. It recommends establishing AI Ethics Committees in every High Court and the Supreme Court.

8. Training Module for Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC): A national training blueprint for legal aid defence counsel, covering criminal procedure, ethics, client engagement, evidence, and use of digital tools to ensure high-quality representation for vulnerable persons.

9. Prisons in India: Mapping Prison Manuals and Measures for Reformation and Decongestion: This revised edition examines prison manuals, stereotypes, menstrual health, disability accommodations, mental health support, after-care, wages, and technological reforms, proposing a human-rights-based approach to prison administration.

10. Handbook on Child Rights and the Law: Under the guidance of the Juvenile Justice Committee, this handbook consolidates laws, constitutional principles, international frameworks, and jurisprudence relating to child rights, serving as a practical guide for courts and child protection bodies.