Analysis of India's justice budget reveals skewed priorities, underfunding for legal aid and judiciary.
An analysis of India's justice system budgets across 11 high-GDP states reveals a disproportionate allocation towards policing (over 80% of justice-related funds) compared to the judiciary, prisons, and legal aid. This indicates a system focused on enforcement and surveillance rather than access, adjudication, or rehabilitation. The judiciary receives less than 1% of state budgets despite high caseloads, and legal aid, crucial for marginalized individuals, is severely underfunded, leading to limited reach and inadequate representation. The report highlights the need for recalibration of budget priorities to align with constitutional mandates for an accessible and people-centred justice system.
Key Points
- India's justice system budget is heavily skewed towards policing, receiving over 80% of funds.
- The judiciary and legal aid are significantly underfunded, hindering access to justice.
- This reflects a system prioritizing enforcement and surveillance over adjudication and rehabilitation.
- Underinvestment in training for police, judiciary, and prison staff, and lack of support for oversight bodies like SHRCs, are critical issues.
- A recalibration of budget priorities is necessary for a more accessible and equitable justice system.
Exam Facts
- Study covered 11 high-GDP States.
- Policing accounted for over 80% of justice-related allocations.
- Judiciary budgets were less than 1% of total State budgets.
- India spends about ₹450 per capita on judiciary, ₹9 on free legal aid, ₹150 on prisons, and ₹1,500 on police.
- The National Crime Record Bureau's Crime in India 2024 report shows 26 lakh people were arrested.
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