CJI Declares Sikkim As The First Paperless State Judiciary At National Conclave On Technology And Judicial Education

Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant today declared Sikkim as the first paperless state judiciary in the country, during the inauguration ceremony of the Conclave on Technology and Judicial Education held in Gangtok.

Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, Justice A Muhammed Mustaque, was also present at the event.

A fully paperless judiciary is a system in which all legal processes are done electronically rather than through physical paper, using measures such as digital files, e-filing, online hearings, digital case tracking etc.

In his inaugural address, the CJI emphasised that of judicial education must evolve and improve keeping in mind emerging technology. He said that it must move beyond basic digital literacy and equip judges to understand algorithmic systems and their interaction with principles such as natural justice.

“the adoption of technology is not only about implementation, but also about a necessary shift in legal education. It is no longer sufficient to be well versed in the statutes of the past. The modern judge must also engage with the logic that underpins emerging technologies”, the CJI added.

He called on judicial academies to develop curricula that go beyond basic digital familiarity and enable judges to critically examine algorithmic systems. He also pointed out judges need to be able to identify bias in Artificial Intelligence in order to safeguard the integrity of the adjudicatory process.

“At the heart of this educational shift lies the question of ethics. As we integrate automated tools into our daily work, the judge's role as the guardian of the human element becomes even more significant. Education must strengthen our ability to identify bias within systems driven by Artificial Intelligence and to safeguard the integrity of the adjudicatory process against any unintended distortion.”

The CJI stated that this shift in education is essential to ensure that technology remains an aid to fairness and does not replace the human element in decision-making. He said the objective is to prepare judges who can engage with technological tools while remaining anchored in constitutional values.

The CJI also highlighted that the declaration of Sikkim as a paperless judiciary reflects a shift from physical court processes to a digital system aimed at improving access to justice, particularly in geographically difficult regions.

He noted that in the past, litigants in Sikkim faced long and uncertain travel to courts due to the terrain, but digital infrastructure is now changing this reality by allowing petitions and hearings to be conducted without physical movement.

The CJI stressed that digital reform is essential to sustain Rule of Law, as integrating technology into judicial processes dismantles geographical constraints, whether caused by terrain, distance or financial barriers, so that access to justice extends equally to remote regions.

He highlighted the broader transformation of the Indian judicial system through digitisation, noting that the e-Courts project has enabled litigants to access case information and court processes through digital platforms, with the National Judicial Data Grid providing real-time data on judicial performance.

On accessibility and transparency, the CJI said the “architecture of justice” has become more open as litigants in remote parts of the country can now track case progress, view orders, engage counsel across the country, and watch proceedings in real time through video conferencing. He noted that this transparency acts against delays and inefficiencies and ensures that the process remains visible, predictable and efficient.

At the same time, he emphasised that the journey towards full digitisation is not complete and more work is needed to ensure meaningful access to justice.

He also emphasised the need for standardisation of the Case Information System across High Courts. While trial courts have achieved large-scale digitisation through the National Core Case Information System (NC CIS), High Courts must adopt a more consistent and standardised approach, the CJI pointed out.

He also stressed the need to expand and strengthen e-Seva Kendras. He noted that there are currently 48 such centres in High Courts and 2,283 units in District Courts and emphasised that strengthening their technical capacity is necessary to prevent the digital divide from becoming a barrier to justice.

On the use of Artificial Intelligence, the CJI said that there is scope for its “careful infusion” at the trial court level. He gave the example of recovery suits, where AI tools can be used at the initial stage to verify assets and identify encumbrances. Such systems, the CJI said, can confirm the existence of property and flag conflicting claims, reducing unnecessary litigation and allowing courts to focus on substantive disputes.

He also pointed out the utility of AI in identifying patterns in sentencing and bail decisions across jurisdictions, highlighting that this can help in recognising variations and promoting greater consistency and predictability in judicial outcomes.