The E-Courts Mission Mode Project and Judicial Efficiency: A Critical Evaluation of Subordinate Courts in India

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The administration of justice in India has long been challenged by judicial backlog, procedural delays, infrastructural deficiencies, and limited accessibility in subordinate courts.In response, the Government of India launched the E-Courts Mission Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan with the objective of digitising judicial administration and enhancing judicial efficiency.This paper critically evaluates the role of the E-Courts Mission Mode Project in improving the functioning of subordinate courts in India.It examines the constitutional foundation of speedy justice under Article 21, the development and implementation of ecourt infrastructure, and the impact of digital technologies on case management, transparency, and access to justice.The study further analyses practical challenges such as digital illiteracy, infrastructural inequality, cybersecurity concerns, and procedural limitations affecting the success of the project.By critically examining judicial reforms and technological interventions, the paper argues that while the E-Courts Project has significantly modernised the judiciary, substantial structural and policy reforms remain necessary to ensure equitable and efficient justice delivery across India's subordinate judiciary.