Digital rollout of the criminal justice system

2 entries over 16 days, from 1 July 2026 to 16 July 2026.

01
1 July

Digital rollout of criminal justice system

The Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) aims for full nationwide rollout by January 1, 2027, integrating police, courts, prisons, forensics, and prosecution.
Data for the ICJS is hosted on the government-owned cloud platform MeghRaj.
The three new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita (BSS), and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)—came into effect on July 1, 2024.
States and Union Territories have a five-year window to upgrade infrastructure and forensic capabilities to meet the requirements of the new laws.
Zero-FIRs (filing irrespective of jurisdiction) have received statutory backing under the BNSS; 63,572 have been registered to date.
The Crime and Criminal Tracking and Network Systems (CCTNS) supports 23 languages, with the Bhashini App facilitating translation for zero-FIRs.
Forensic examination is now mandatory for crimes punishable by seven years or more; the number of forensic laboratories increased from 129 in 2023 to 154 in 2025.
National implementation score for the new criminal justice framework rose from 46.47% in January 2025 to 70.06% in June 2026.
Key challenges include improving internet connectivity in remote areas, standardizing processes across States/UTs, ensuring full interoperability, and personnel training.

02
16 July

India aims for full digital rollout of the criminal justice system by July 1, 2027.
The Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) will record investigation and trial procedures.
Data will be stored on the government cloud platform, MeghRaj.
Criminal justice system components include police, courts, prisons, forensics, and prosecution services.
Adversarial system (common law) relies on judicial precedents; Inquisitorial system (civil law) relies on codified statutes.
New criminal laws: Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaces IPC; Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replaces CrPC.
BNS shifts focus from punishment to justice through retribution; BNSS treats the accused as a citizen with rights.
Forensic examination is now mandatory for offences punishable by seven years or more imprisonment.
Forensic laboratories increased from 129 in 2023 to 154 in 2025.
National Crime Records Bureau data shows only 46% of FIRs are currently digitally transmitted to courts.

Newest first. A story that ran for 16 days is exactly the kind the mains paper asks about as one question.

Discuss the significance of the Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) in enhancing procedural efficiency and ensuring the rights of the accused under the new criminal laws. 150 words · 16 July
The transition from the Indian Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure to the BNS and BNSS marks a shift in the philosophy of criminal justice in India. Analyze how these reforms aim to balance the interests of the victim, the accused, and the state. 250 words · 16 July
Discuss the significance of the Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) in enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the Indian criminal justice administration. 150 words · 1 July
The transition to a digital-first criminal justice system requires robust infrastructure and inter-departmental coordination. Analyze the challenges in implementing the new criminal laws and the role of forensic modernization in this process. 250 words · 1 July

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