Context : Findings from the India Justice Report 2025-26
Relevance : GS 2(Judiciary )
Declining Budget Allocations:
- The Central government has consistently reduced funds for justice-related schemes since 2019.
- Only a fraction of the allocated budget is actually utilized.
Modernisation Fund for State Police Forces:
- Created to upgrade State police infrastructure and Crime and Criminal Tracking Systems.
- Budget Estimates (BE) have declined from ₹900 crore (FY19) to ₹587.97 crore (FY26).
- Revised Estimates (RE) show drastic reductions—e.g., ₹780 crore (BE) in FY21 was revised to ₹106 crore.
- Actual spending is even lower; in FY23, only ₹34.7 crore (6% of the allocation) was spent.
Modernisation of Forensic Capacities:
- Aims to strengthen forensic testing infrastructure and increase the number of forensic scientists.
- Funding has fluctuated significantly over the past few years.
Modernisation of Prisons Fund:
- Established over two decades ago to improve prison infrastructure.
- Peak allocation: ₹400 crore (FY23), reduced to ₹300 crore (FY25 & FY26).
- Utilization fell sharply after FY23 (only 44% of funds were used).
Judiciary-Related Schemes:
- National Legal Services Authority (NALSA):
- Allocations have increased over the years, ranging from ₹150-200 crore.
- 100% utilization from FY19 to FY24.
Infrastructure Development for Judiciary:
- A centrally sponsored scheme for State judicial resources.
- High utilization rates but reduced allocation from ₹1,123.40 crore (FY25) to ₹998 crore (FY26).
Key Issues & Implications
- Severe Underutilization of Allocations: Police modernisation and forensic capacity schemes see low spending despite budgetary provisions.
- Focus on Judiciary Efficiency: Judiciary-related schemes show high utilization rates, contrasting with law enforcement funding gaps.
- Security and Justice System Disparities: The declining trend in police modernization funds may impact law enforcement effectiveness.
