Sikkim becomes India’s first paperless judiciary; CJI pushes tech reform

Sikkim becomes India’s first paperless judiciary; CJI pushes tech reform

Sikkim has become India’s first fully paperless judiciary, marking a major step in the digital transformation of courts. This development was highlighted during the Conclave on Technology and Judicial Education in Gangtok, where Justice Surya Kant emphasised the need for a technology-driven judicial system. The shift means that all court processes, including filing, record-keeping, hearings, and case tracking, are now conducted digitally without reliance on physical documents. This move significantly improves access to justice, especially in remote regions, by removing geographical barriers and reducing time and cost involved in litigation. It aligns with ongoing initiatives like the e-Courts Project and strengthens transparency through real-time tracking and online access to proceedings. The Court also discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence in assisting judicial functions such as data analysis and pattern recognition in decisions. However, it cautioned that AI must be used carefully due to risks of bias and lack of transparency. Judicial decision-making must remain human-centric. Further, emphasis was placed on judicial education, requiring judges to understand digital and AI systems. The need to bridge the digital divide through e-Seva Kendras was also highlighted to ensure inclusive access to justice.