Lok Sabha Question No. 174 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Use of AI for Translation of Judicial Proceedings
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Dr. T Sumathy Alias Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE (DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE)

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION No. *174 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 06 TH DECEMBER, 2024

## USE OF AI FOR TRANSLATION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS

## *174. DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take appropriate measures to translate the proceedings and judgments of Supreme Court and High Courts across the country through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and publish them;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the amount of funds sanctioned for the same and for the translation projects/ jobs undertaken by the Supreme Court and High Courts in the country;
- (d) whether the Government has initiated any special recruitment drive for filling up of vacancies in SC/ST/OBC and Minority communities; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAWANDJUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *174 FOR ANSWER ON 06.12.2024 REGARDING 'USE OF AI FOR TRANSLATION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS'.

(a) to (c) : The Supreme Court of India has adopted the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) language technology in translation of judicial documents. AI has also been deployed for transcribing oral arguments, particularly in Constitution Bench matters since February 2023. A Committee headed by a Hon'ble Judge of the Supreme Court of India has been constituted to monitor the translation of important Supreme Court and High Court judgments into vernacular languages. The Committee is having regular meetings with the Sub-Committees of High Courts comprising Hon'ble Judges to expedite the process of translation.

The AI Translation Committees of the High Courts are monitoring the entire work relating to translation of the Supreme Court and High Court Judgments into vernacular languages. As on date, 17 High Courts on the website have already started placing e-High Court Reports (e-HCR)/e-Indian Law Reports (e-ILR). e-HCR/e-ILR are digital legal platforms that provide online access to judgments in the vernacular languages.

The AI Committees of the High Courts have been informed to request the respective State Governments to translate all the Central and State Legislation, Rules, Regulations, etc. into regional language and put it on the State website so as to help the common man to read it in the regional language. It has also been impressed upon all the State Governments to extend full support to the respective High Courts in regard to translation of judgments, since it is part of 'access to justice' as envisaged under the Constitution of India.

As on date, 36,324 Supreme Court Judgments have been translated in Hindi language and 42,765 Judgments of Supreme Court have been translated in other 17 regional languages and the same are available on the e-SCR portal (https://judgments.ecourts.gov.in/pdfsearch/index.php).

No separate fund has been sanctioned to the Supreme Court for translation project. A remuneration of Rs. 100/- per page as per the original English Supreme Court Judgement is, however, being made to the Retd. Judicial Officers/Translators/Advocates for vetting of AI translated Supreme Court Judgments by the Supreme Court of India.

(d) and (e) : The appointment of Judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts is made under Articles 124, 217 and 224 of the Constitution of India, which do not provide for reservation for any caste or class of persons.

As per the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), the responsibility for initiation of proposals for appointment of Judges in the Supreme Court vests with the Chief Justice of India, while the responsibility for initiation of proposals for appointment of Judges in the High Courts vests with the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court, in consultation with two seniormost puisne Judges of the High Court. However, the Government has been requesting the Chief Justices of High Courts that while sending proposals for appointment of Judges, due consideration be given to suitable candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities and Women to ensure social diversity in the appointment of Judges in High Courts. Only those persons are appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts whose names have been recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium.

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