The Supreme Court of India is moving to restrict the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial processes,proposing draft regulations that prohibit AI from determining court outcomes. The recommendations,made public on June 3,2026,emphasize that AI must serve only in assistive role,remaining subordinate to human judgment and judicial authority .
Concerns about increasing reliance on AI in legal decisions prompted this initiative. In March, a Supreme Court bench led by Justice P.S . Narasimha criticized a trial court for depending on fictitious judgments generated by AI, labeling it as judicial misconduct rather than a mere error in decision-making.
The draft,titled ‘Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Courts, 2026’,outlines strict guidelines. It bars AI-assisted sentencing without human oversight and explicitly prohibits the profiling of parties or witnesses. Furthermore,the use of “opaque” or “unexplainable” AI systems in court processes is forbidden.
Justice Narasimha chairs the committee responsible for these regulations,which includes Justices Sanjeev Sachdeva,Raja Vijayaraghavan V.,Anoop Chitkara,and Suraj Govindaraj. committee is currently seeking feedback from the public and stakeholders,with a deadline set for June 20.
The draft regulations also stipulate that any processing of personal data through AI must comply with Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 . Importantly,it mandates that AI systems should not introduce or amplify biases based on race, religion,caste, gender, or other protected characteristics .
For applications deemed to pose higher risks to personal liberty or judicial integrity, the draft calls for enhanced safeguards. These include mandatory human oversight and independent review. The regulations further stress that AI should not exacerbate existing digital divides, ensuring accessibility for all, particularly for those from rural or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
While the draft allows AI to assist with administrative tasks such as case management,scheduling hearings,and transcribing court proceedings, it explicitly prohibits its use for risk assessments related to bail eligibility, flight risk, or witness credibility . Additionally,the monitoring of judicial officers and other stakeholders using AI is restricted unless specifically authorized by law .
To oversee the implementation of AI in the judiciary,the draft proposes establishing a full-time “apex body” within the Supreme Court. This body would consist of two Supreme Court judges appointed by the Chief Justice of India, along with two High Court Chief Justices,two High Court judges,and various experts in technology, finance, and cybersecurity. The apex body would also include a professor specializing in AI from National Judicial Academy in Bhopal.
The proposed regulations reflect a cautious approach to integrating AI into the judicial system,prioritizing human oversight and the protection of individual rights. As the Supreme Court seeks to navigate the complexities of AI in legal contexts,these draft rules aim to ensure that technology enhances rather than undermines judicial integrity .
