Supreme Court Releases Draft AI Regulations for Courts, Invites Public Feedback Till June 20, 2026

June 4, 2026 : The Supreme Court has released a draft regulatory framework titled “Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Courts, 2026” and invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders and the public by June 20, 2026. The proposed framework, prepared under the supervision of the Supreme Court’s AI Committee, seeks to regulate the adoption of AI across courts and adjudicatory bodies while safeguarding judicial independence, transparency, accountability, data privacy and human oversight.

According to a notification issued on June 3, the draft regulations are intended to govern the use of AI in judicial, adjudicatory and administrative functions of the Supreme Court, High Courts, tribunals and statutory authorities exercising adjudicatory powers. The framework underscores that AI must function only as an assistive tool and should never undermine human decision-making within the justice delivery system.

A central feature of the draft regulations is the principle of human primacy. AI systems may assist judges and court officials, but they cannot independently determine questions of law, assess facts, adjudicate disputes or render judicial decisions. Responsibility and accountability for decisions taken with AI assistance will continue to rest solely with the concerned judicial officer.

The draft framework permits AI-assisted applications in areas such as case management, docket administration, hearing scheduling, cause-list preparation, legal research, citation verification, document summarisation, automated transcription of court proceedings, translation of judgments and pleadings subject to human verification, accessibility services for persons with disabilities, anonymisation of judgments and court records, and other administrative functions. Most such uses would remain subject to human supervision and prior approval mechanisms.

The regulations, however, impose strict limitations on AI deployment in sensitive judicial functions. AI systems would be prohibited from independently adjudicating disputes or influencing judicial outcomes. The framework also bars the use of AI for risk assessment and predictive decision-making, including predicting recidivism, assessing flight risk, determining bail eligibility, evaluating witness credibility or forecasting the future conduct of litigants and witnesses.

The draft further prohibits the use of opaque or non-explainable AI systems in matters affecting legal rights, personal liberty or judicial decision-making. AI-based surveillance or continuous monitoring of judges, advocates, litigants or any individual connected with court proceedings has also been expressly banned.

To enhance transparency, the proposed regulations mandate disclosure of AI-generated content used during legal proceedings. Advocates and litigants relying on AI-assisted drafting, research, document preparation or evidence generation would be required to disclose the nature and extent of such assistance. Courts may also seek details regarding the AI tools used and the verification processes adopted to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the material produced.

The framework proposes the establishment of a permanent Apex Body at the Supreme Court to oversee the responsible integration of AI within the judiciary. The body would be responsible for developing standards, approving AI tools, coordinating with High Courts, monitoring compliance and publishing annual governance reports on AI deployment in courts.

The proposed Apex Body would include two Supreme Court judges, two Chief Justices of High Courts, two High Court judges, a representative from an institution of national importance, a senior officer from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, experts in finance and cybersecurity, technology law practitioners and an AI professor from the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal.

The draft regulations also envisage dedicated AI Committees in the Supreme Court and all High Courts, supported by specialised AI Secretariats. The framework provides for regular technical, legal and ethical audits of AI systems, incident-reporting mechanisms, cybersecurity safeguards and structured training programmes for judges, lawyers and court personnel.

Notably, Draft Regulation 16 encourages courts to actively deploy AI systems that improve access to justice, reduce pendency and enhance administrative efficiency, while ensuring that human adjudication remains central. Draft Regulation 19 specifically authorises AI-assisted case management, scheduling, transcription, translation, legal research and administrative functions, whereas Draft Regulation 20 prohibits AI-based surveillance and continuous monitoring.

The Supreme Court has invited comments and suggestions on the proposed framework through the Member Secretary of the AI Committee by June 20, 2026. The initiative comes amid growing discussions on the use of AI within the legal system. High Courts such as Kerala and Gujarat have already issued guidelines on AI usage by the district judiciary, while the Supreme Court has previously expressed concerns regarding AI-generated fake citations and the need for safeguards against misuse.

The proposed regulations mark the first comprehensive attempt to establish a uniform governance framework for AI across the Indian judiciary, balancing technological innovation with constitutional safeguards, procedural fairness and the preservation of judicial independence.