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31 Dec 2025·Source: The Indian Express
2 min
Polity & GovernanceInternational RelationsNEWS

India Hosts Foreign Judges for Judicial Reform Training

Judges from neighboring countries visit India for training on judicial reforms and technology.

India Hosts Foreign Judges for Judicial Reform Training

Photo by Jack Lopez

Judges from various countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, are participating in a training program in India, focusing on judicial reforms and the effective use of technology in courts. This initiative, organized by the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), underscores India's commitment to sharing its expertise in judicial administration and strengthening regional cooperation in governance. Such programs enhance India's soft power and promote best practices in legal systems across South Asia and beyond, contributing to improved justice delivery and fostering stronger diplomatic ties.

Key Facts

1.

Judges from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal participating in training in India.

2.

Program organized by National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG).

3.

Focus on judicial reforms and technology in courts.

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

Role, mandate, and parent ministry of the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG).

2.

Overview and objectives of the e-Courts project and other judicial reforms in India.

3.

India's soft power diplomacy, 'Neighbourhood First' policy, and regional engagement.

4.

Principles of good governance and their application in judicial administration.

5.

Constitutional provisions related to the judiciary and judicial independence.

Visual Insights

India's Judicial Diplomacy: Regional Training Initiative (December 2025)

This map highlights India as the host nation for the judicial reform training and the participating countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal). It visually represents India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and its commitment to regional capacity building and strengthening diplomatic ties through shared governance expertise.

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📍India📍Bangladesh📍Bhutan📍Nepal
More Information

Background

India possesses a well-established judicial system, which, despite challenges like case pendency, has undergone significant reforms, including the ambitious e-Courts project. Historically, India has engaged in capacity building and technical assistance with its neighbours, leveraging its institutional strengths.

Latest Developments

The news highlights a training program in India for judges from Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, organized by the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG). The program focuses on judicial reforms and the effective use of technology in courts. This initiative is a part of India's broader strategy to share its governance expertise and strengthen regional cooperation.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG): 1. It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Home Affairs. 2. Its mandate includes promoting good governance through training, research, and knowledge sharing. 3. It primarily focuses on capacity building for civil servants from India and other developing countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is incorrect. The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) is an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India. Statement 2 is correct; NCGG's mandate is indeed to promote good governance through various activities including training and research. Statement 3 is also correct, as NCGG conducts capacity building programs for civil servants from India and other developing countries, as evidenced by the news of training foreign judges.

2. With reference to the integration of technology in India's judicial system and its implications, consider the following statements: 1. The e-Courts project aims to computerize all courts, including the Supreme Court, High Courts, and District Courts, to improve justice delivery. 2. Virtual hearings, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, are now constitutionally mandated for all court proceedings to ensure access to justice. 3. India's initiative to share its expertise in judicial technology with other countries enhances its soft power by promoting universal legal best practices. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: C

Statement 1 is correct. The e-Courts project is a mission mode project under the Ministry of Law & Justice, aiming to computerize the entire judicial system of India, from the Supreme Court to the district courts, to enhance efficiency and access to justice. Statement 2 is incorrect. While virtual hearings were widely adopted and proved effective, especially during the pandemic, they are not constitutionally mandated for *all* court proceedings. They are an important tool but not a universal constitutional requirement. Statement 3 is correct. Sharing technological expertise in judicial administration with other countries is a classic example of soft power diplomacy, demonstrating India's capabilities and promoting its legal and governance models globally.

3. In the context of India's engagement with its South Asian neighbours on judicial cooperation, consider the following statements: 1. The principle of judicial independence, as enshrined in India's Constitution, is a fundamental aspect often emphasized in such collaborative training programs. 2. India is a founding member of SAARC, which has a dedicated mechanism for judicial cooperation and exchange of legal expertise among member states. 3. The 'Neighbourhood First' policy prioritizes capacity building and technical assistance in governance and legal frameworks for immediate neighbours. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: C

Statement 1 is correct. Judicial independence is a cornerstone of India's constitutional framework and a universal principle for fair justice delivery. It would naturally be a key emphasis in any judicial training program. Statement 2 is incorrect. While India is a founding member of SAARC, SAARC does not have a *dedicated, standing mechanism* specifically for judicial cooperation and exchange of legal expertise among member states in the same structured way as, for instance, economic or cultural cooperation. Such exchanges often occur bilaterally or through specific programs like the one mentioned, rather than a formal SAARC judicial body. Statement 3 is correct. India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy explicitly focuses on enhancing connectivity, capacity building, and providing technical assistance to its immediate neighbours across various sectors, including governance and legal frameworks.

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