New Delhi, India: The Union Government has earmarked ₹2,010 crore in the Union Budget 2026 to strengthen judicial infrastructure and accelerate the modernisation of courts through the ongoing eCourts Project Phase III, while continuing investments in court facilities and digital justice initiatives across the country.
According to information shared by the Ministry of Law and Justice, ₹810 crore has been allocated under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the development of infrastructure in district and subordinate courts. An additional ₹1,200 crore has been provided for the eCourts Project Phase III, which focuses on digitising court operations along with training and capacity-building programmes. The allocations will be utilised based on approved projects and the availability of funds.
The ministry said the investments are intended to improve the efficiency of the justice delivery system by supporting faster case disposal, strengthening investigation and evidence management, enabling better legal representation, ensuring timely conduct of court proceedings and encouraging greater participation of litigants through digital processes.
Data provided by the Rajasthan High Court shows that the sanctioned strength of judges stands at 50, of which 39 positions are currently filled, leaving 11 vacancies. The sanctioned strength of judicial officers is 1,722, with 1,517 in position and 205 vacancies. Court staff strength is sanctioned at 18,832, while 11,226 positions are filled, leaving 7,606 vacancies.
The ministry also released vacancy details for the Tonk and Sawai Madhopur judgeships. In Tonk, 29 of the 30 sanctioned judicial officer posts are filled, while court staff strength stands at 247 against a sanctioned 412 posts, leaving 165 vacancies. In Sawai Madhopur, 24 of 25 judicial officer posts are occupied, while 194 court staff are in position against a sanctioned strength of 321, resulting in 127 vacancies.
Alongside infrastructure funding, the government said it is continuing efforts to improve access to justice through Common Service Centres that provide legal assistance, the eCourts Project’s digital services including e-Filing, e-Pay, virtual courts, video conferencing and the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG). Free legal aid through Legal Services Authorities and Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms such as Lok Adalats and mediation are also being promoted to facilitate quicker settlement of disputes.
The information was provided by Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Source: This article is based on an official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India
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