The Supreme Court of India has released a draft set of regulations governing the use of artificial intelligence in courts, aiming to encourage technological innovation while ensuring that judicial authority remains firmly in human hands. Prepared by the Supreme Court's AI Committee, the proposed "Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Courts, 2026" establish the first comprehensive framework for AI adoption across India's judiciary. The draft emphasizes that AI should improve efficiency and access to justice but must never replace judges or influence judicial independence.
The draft permits AI to assist with administrative and support functions such as legal research, document drafting, translation, transcription, case management, scheduling, and summarizing records. However, it explicitly prohibits AI from deciding cases, recommending judicial outcomes, evaluating witness credibility, determining sentences, or replacing judicial reasoning. The regulations are built around principles including human primacy, transparency, accountability, explainability, data protection, and fairness, ensuring that judges remain fully responsible for every judicial decision.
To promote responsible AI deployment, the proposed framework also requires strong governance mechanisms. AI systems used in courts must undergo appropriate testing and validation, maintain audit trails, safeguard sensitive judicial data, and be subject to continuous human oversight. The regulations seek to prevent algorithmic bias, protect confidentiality, and ensure that AI-generated outputs are always verifiable. The committee also recommends institutional oversight to monitor AI adoption and regularly review emerging technologies as they evolve.
The draft regulations come amid growing concern over the misuse of generative AI in legal proceedings, including recent cases where AI-generated fictitious legal citations appeared in court filings and judicial orders. Against this backdrop, the Supreme Court has adopted a cautious approach that embraces AI as a productivity tool while drawing a clear boundary around judicial decision-making. The proposal reflects India's effort to modernize its justice system without compromising judicial integrity, accountability, or public trust in the courts.
