Criminal Justice System’s Digital Push: Full Roll-out by 2027
Subject: Polity & Governance
Background
- From 1 January 2027, all investigation and trial procedures under the new criminal laws will be conducted and recorded digitally.
- Objective: Create an end-to-end digital criminal justice system that enhances efficiency, transparency, accountability, and speedy justice.
Key Features
- Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS):
- Integrates Police, Courts, Prisons, Prosecution, and Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) on a single platform.
- Data stored on MeghRaj (National Government Cloud).
- New Criminal Laws (Effective: 1 July 2024):
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 → Replaced IPC.
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 → Replaced CrPC.
- Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita (BSS), 2023 → Replaced Indian Evidence Act.
Implementation Status
- 74.66 lakh FIRs registered under BNS.
- States/UTs have a 5-year transition period for full implementation.
- National implementation improved from 46.47% (Jan 2025) to 70.06% (June 2026).
Digital Policing Reforms
- Zero FIR given statutory recognition under BNSS.
- Can be registered irrespective of territorial jurisdiction.
- 63,572 Zero FIRs registered, including 13,000 intra-State transfers.
- CCTNS connects 16,000+ police stations and supports FIR registration in 23 languages.
- Bhashini App enables translation of Zero FIRs across languages.
Forensic Reforms
- Mandatory forensic examination for offences punishable with 7 years or more.
- FSLs increased from 129 (2023) to 154 (2025).
- 700+ Mobile Forensic Units (MFUs) deployed.
- Despite increased caseload, pendency in FSLs has declined.
Digital Justice Initiatives
- 46.5 lakh Digital Evidence (Sakshya) IDs generated.
- 56.74 lakh e-summons served, promoting paperless proceedings.
- National database contains:
- 37.68 crore police records
- 9.9 crore FIRs
- 7.64 crore charge sheets
Challenges
- Only 46% of e-FIRs are digitally integrated with courts.
- Poor internet connectivity continues to hinder implementation in some North-Eastern States.
Best Performing States/UTs
- Haryana
- Goa
- Assam
- Punjab
- Chandigarh
