Judicial Reforms: “One Case, One Data” & Su-Sahayak AI

• The Supreme Court has introduced the One Case, One Data (OCOD) initiative to ensure a unified, digital record for every case across the judicial hierarchy. 

• Alongside OCOD, the Su-Sahayak AI chatbot has been launched to assist litigants and lawyers in navigating case statuses and legal procedures. 

• These reforms aim to reduce the information asymmetry that often hinders the common man access to the justice system. 

• Digitization facilitates a Paperless Court environment, significantly reducing the administrative burden and physical storage requirements of the judiciary. 

• The use of AI in the judiciary is being restricted to administrative and research assistance to ensure that human judicial discretion remains paramount. 

• This initiative is part of the broader Phase-III of the e-Courts project, which focuses on a digitalfirst approach to justice delivery. 

Constitutional Provisions: Article 124 (Establishment of Supreme Court) and Article 39A (Free legal aid and equal justice for all). 

Key Definition: 

OCOD (One Case One Data): A standardized data-sharing protocol that ensures case documents and data remain consistent from the trial court up to the Supreme Court. 

Conclusion: Integrating AI and unified data systems marks a paradigm shift in the Indian judiciary, moving from a procedure-heavy to a technology-driven system. 

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper II (Structure, organization and functioning of the Judiciary; eGovernance).