Sikkim Becomes India’s First Paperless Judiciary, Announces CJI

Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant declared Sikkim as the first fully paperless state judiciary in India during the Conclave on Technology and Judicial Education held in Gangtok. The announcement marks a key milestone in the country’s push towards digital courts.

The event was attended by Justice A Muhammed Mustaque. A paperless judiciary means that court processes are conducted through digital systems, including e-filing, online hearings, electronic records, and virtual case tracking, reducing reliance on physical paperwork.

In his address, the Chief Justice stressed the need to modernise judicial education. He observed that judges must go beyond basic digital literacy and develop an understanding of algorithmic systems and their impact on legal principles such as natural justice.

“the adoption of technology is not only about implementation, but also about a necessary shift in legal education. It is no longer sufficient to be well versed in the statutes of the past. The modern judge must also engage with the logic that underpins emerging technologies”, the CJI added.

He further highlighted the importance of ethics in the use of Artificial Intelligence, stating that judges must be able to detect bias within automated systems to maintain fairness in decision-making.

The Chief Justice noted that digital transformation is particularly important for regions like Sikkim, where geographical challenges earlier limited access to courts. With the adoption of technology, litigants can now file cases and attend hearings without travelling long distances.

He also referred to broader initiatives such as the e-Courts project and the National Judicial Data Grid, which have improved transparency and access to justice. However, he emphasised that further work is needed, including standardising digital systems across High Courts and strengthening e-Seva Kendras to bridge the digital divide.