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CJI Surya Kant Urges Judiciary to Operate Like 24/7 Hospitals
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has issued a clarion call for the Indian judiciary to transform into an immediate relief-giving mechanism by functioning around the clock, much like hospitals that never close their doors. Speaking at a event focused on unified digital platform integration, the CJI emphasized that the time has come for courts to address the aspirations, requirements, demands, pains and agony of the common man without delay. This vision, coupled with deeper integration of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, promises to reshape how justice is delivered in the world's largest democracy.
The remarks come at a pivotal moment for India's legal system, which continues to grapple with significant case backlogs while simultaneously building on the hard-won lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. By advocating for round-the-clock operations supported by digital infrastructure, CJI Surya Kant is positioning the judiciary not merely as a resolver of disputes but as a responsive institution attuned to the urgent needs of citizens.
The Event and Core Announcement
The CJI made these observations during a programme organised by the under the theme “Fragmentation to Fusion: Empowering Justice via United Digital Platform Integration.” In his address, he launched newly developed digital platforms for the and stressed the constitutional imperative of technological advancement.
“Time has come when the judiciary should work like hospitals 24x7,” CJI Surya Kant said. He elaborated that the judiciary “needs to address the aspirations, the requirements, the demands, the pains and the agony of the common man with an immediate relief giving system.” This hospital analogy underscores the need for continuous availability, particularly for matters involving life, liberty and where delays can have irreversible consequences.
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Chief Justice Sanjeev Sabharwal were also present, highlighting the collaborative push towards a pan-India technological framework.
Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
CJI Surya Kant repeatedly referenced the pandemic as the true inflection point for technological adoption in Indian courts. Prior to the crisis, digitisation efforts had been underway since the 1990s, but the real acceleration occurred when physical courtrooms became inaccessible.
“The real game changer in the infusion of technology as an integral part of the judicial system came during COVID,” he noted. “The Indian judiciary was the only judiciary on the globe which could perform its constitutional duty during the pandemic. That was possible only because of adaptability to technology. We did not close our courts. No citizen was denied urgent relief.”
Despite mounting arrears and pendency, the Indian judiciary earned international acclaim for ensuring continuity. Virtual hearings enabled urgent matters to proceed seamlessly, proving that technology could bridge gaps without compromising core judicial functions. This success story now serves as the foundation for ambitious next-generation reforms involving AI-driven platforms.
The Push for Technology and AI
Technology, according to the CJI, represents the single most effective solution to inefficiencies. “Technology is the only effective answer to wastage of judiciary’s time,” he remarked. Advanced software systems, he argued, will facilitate better and quicker decision-making while enhancing transparency—an issue that has long concerned the bench and bar.
CJI Surya Kant stressed that technological progress is no longer optional but constitutional in nature. Digital systems can help transcend procedural rigidity and extend the judiciary's reach to citizens who previously found courts inaccessible. A special committee constituted by the is currently examining how AI can be optimally deployed for speedy disposal of cases without replacing judicial reasoning.
The CJI cautioned that while AI should enhance efficiency, judges must remain guardians of the human element, critically evaluating automated recommendations to guard against algorithmic bias. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that optimum utilisation of both established digital tools and latest AI designs will ultimately benefit the common man.
The Madhya Pradesh Model and National Rollout
The CJI lavished praise on the digital platforms unveiled by the , describing them as exemplars worthy of nationwide adoption. Minister Meghwal echoed this sentiment, urging that such technological advancements be rolled out on a pan-India basis.
The event itself symbolized the shift from fragmented systems to a fused, unified digital ecosystem. By integrating records, case management tools and citizen interfaces, these platforms aim to reduce duplication, minimise adjournments and provide real-time tracking for litigants and lawyers alike. Successful scaling could serve as a blueprint for other High Courts and subordinate judiciary across states.
Legal and Constitutional Implications
From a legal standpoint, CJI Surya Kant’s vision resonates with longstanding constitutional mandates. The , implicit in , gains renewed emphasis when courts commit to continuous operations. Round-the-clock mechanisms for urgent relief—especially in , and family matters—could prevent irreparable harm and reinforce public faith in judicial institutions.
The emphasis on transparency also carries profound implications. Greater digitisation may reduce scope for procedural irregularities and discretionary delays, fostering accountability at every stage of litigation. Lawyers practicing in trial courts and High Courts may soon witness streamlined filings, e-hearings outside traditional business hours and predictive analytics for case outcomes.
Moreover, the AI integration committee’s work signals a deliberate policy shift. Rather than viewing technology as an external imposition, the judiciary is positioning itself as an early adopter willing to experiment responsibly. This proactive stance could influence legislative reforms, including amendments to procedural codes that accommodate virtual and asynchronous proceedings.
Impact on Legal Practice and the Justice System
For practicing advocates, these developments herald both opportunities and adjustments. Law firms specialising in litigation may need to invest in digital training for junior lawyers and adopt new case-management software compatible with court platforms. The ability to access dockets, file pleadings and participate in hearings remotely could democratise practice, particularly benefiting lawyers from smaller towns and mofussil courts.
On a systemic level, reduced pendency through AI-assisted sorting of routine matters would free judicial time for complex constitutional and commercial cases. Nationwide adoption of the Madhya Pradesh model promises standardised protocols that minimise forum shopping and jurisdictional confusion.
Critically, the 24x7 model need not imply judges working without respite. Instead, it envisions staggered rosters, virtual benches for urgent matters, and automated systems handling administrative tasks so that human adjudication remains focused on substantive issues.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Implementing this ambitious vision is not without hurdles. Infrastructure gaps in rural districts, cybersecurity concerns and the need for comprehensive judicial education on AI tools require sustained investment. The CJI has previously highlighted that judges must be equipped to identify and counter algorithmic bias, ensuring technology augments rather than supplants human discretion.
Continued collaboration between the , High Courts and state governments will be essential. Pilot programmes, feedback loops from the bar and periodic audits of digital platforms can help iron out implementation issues.
Conclusion
CJI Surya Kant’s address at the marks a defining moment in the ongoing digital transformation of the Indian judiciary. By invoking the 24x7 hospital analogy and underscoring technology’s constitutional role, he has articulated both an aspiration and a practical roadmap. The lessons from the pandemic—resilience, adaptability and unbroken service—now inform a bolder future where justice is not merely delivered but delivered promptly, transparently and accessibly to every citizen.
As the ’s AI committee advances its recommendations and the Madhya Pradesh model scales nationally, the legal community stands at the threshold of profound change. For lawyers, litigants and the broader justice system, the message is clear: the judiciary is evolving from a time-bound institution into a continuous, technology-enabled guardian of rights. The coming years will test the implementation of this vision, but the direction set by the Chief Justice offers genuine hope for a more responsive and efficient legal landscape in India.
