Part 2 of 5

E-Filing Procedures

Master the technical and procedural requirements for electronic filing across Supreme Court, High Courts, and District Courts. From document preparation to successful submission.

Overview of E-Filing in India

E-filing has become mandatory or preferred across most Indian courts. Each court level has its own portal with specific requirements. Understanding these differences is crucial for seamless filings.

E-Filing Platforms by Court

Court Portal Status
Supreme Court efiling.sci.gov.in Mandatory for most filings
High Courts Varies by HC (efiling.ecourts.gov.in) Mandatory/Preferred
District Courts efiling.ecourts.gov.in Available in most courts
Tribunals Tribunal-specific portals Varies by tribunal

Supreme Court E-Filing

The Supreme Court of India portal (efiling.sci.gov.in) is the most advanced e-filing system. Key features include:

Registration Requirements

  • Advocate Registration: Bar Council Enrollment Number verification
  • AOR (Advocate-on-Record): Special registration for AORs with digital signature
  • Party-in-Person: Aadhaar-based registration for litigants

Filing Process

  1. Login to the portal with registered credentials
  2. Select case type (SLP, Writ, Appeal, etc.)
  3. Fill party details, advocate details, and case particulars
  4. Upload main petition/appeal (PDF with text layer)
  5. Upload annexures and supporting documents
  6. Generate and upload Index and Synopsis
  7. Verify checklist and defects
  8. Pay court fees online (through SBI Collect/Payment Gateway)
  9. Digitally sign the filing
  10. Submit and receive provisional diary number

SC Document Specifications

Format: Searchable PDF (OCR if scanned)

File Size: Max 25 MB per document

Page Size: A4 (210 x 297 mm)

Margins: At least 1 inch on all sides

Font: Times New Roman, 12-point minimum

High Court E-Filing

High Court e-filing varies by state but follows a standardized framework under the e-Courts project. Most use the unified efiling.ecourts.gov.in portal.

Common HC Filing Types

  • Writ Petitions (Civil and Criminal)
  • First Appeals and Second Appeals
  • Criminal Appeals and Revisions
  • Company Petitions
  • Arbitration Applications
  • Miscellaneous Applications in pending matters

State-Specific Variations

While the core process is similar, each High Court may have:

  • Different court fee structures and payment methods
  • Specific document naming conventions
  • Unique local practice requirements
  • Different timelines for defect cure

District Court E-Filing

District court e-filing is available through the unified e-Courts portal for courts that have implemented the system.

Available Filing Types

  • Civil Suits (Money, Declaration, Injunction)
  • Motor Accident Claims
  • Family Court Petitions
  • Execution Petitions
  • Miscellaneous Applications

Digital Signatures

Digital Signatures are essential for e-filing. In India, they must be issued by Certifying Authorities licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA).

Types of Digital Signatures

  • Class 2: Basic verification, suitable for non-AOR advocates
  • Class 3: Higher security, required for AORs and certain filings
  • Document Signer: Organization-level signing for firms

Obtaining Digital Signature

  1. Apply through licensed Certifying Authority (e.g., eMudhra, Sify)
  2. Complete identity verification (in-person or video KYC)
  3. Receive USB token with certificate
  4. Install driver software on computer
  5. Register DSC on e-filing portals

Common DSC Issues

Certificate Expiry: DSCs typically valid for 2 years - renew before expiry

Token Issues: USB token damage is common - keep backup or get expedited reissue

PIN Lock: Multiple wrong PIN entries lock the token - contact CA for unlock

Browser Compatibility: Some portals require specific browser versions

Document Preparation Standards

PDF Requirements

  • Searchable Text: PDFs must have text layer (not image-only)
  • Bookmarks: Add bookmarks for large documents
  • Page Numbers: Sequential numbering throughout
  • Compression: Optimize file size while maintaining readability
  • No Security: Remove password protection before upload

Document Naming Convention

Follow court-specific naming conventions. Common format:

  • MainPetition_CaseType_Year.pdf
  • Annexure_A_Description.pdf
  • Vakalatnama_AdvocateName.pdf
  • AffidavitOfService.pdf

Court Fee Payment

E-filing portals support multiple payment methods:

Payment Options

Method Processing Time Notes
Net Banking Instant Most reliable method
Debit/Credit Card Instant May have additional charges
UPI Instant Transaction limits apply
E-Stamp Variable Required for some filings

Common E-Filing Errors

Avoid these frequent mistakes that cause filing rejections:

Top 10 E-Filing Errors

1. Non-searchable PDF (image-only scans)

2. File size exceeding limits

3. Missing or incorrect party details

4. Expired or unregistered digital signature

5. Incorrect court fee calculation

6. Missing mandatory documents (Vakalatnama, Index)

7. Incorrect document categorization

8. Payment gateway failures - always save receipt

9. Browser compatibility issues

10. Filing after court hours cutoff

Post-Filing Procedures

After successful e-filing:

  1. Provisional Number: Save the provisional filing number immediately
  2. Download Receipt: Download and save payment receipt and filing acknowledgment
  3. Track Status: Monitor filing status for defects
  4. Cure Defects: Address any defects within stipulated time
  5. Final Registration: Case registered after scrutiny with diary/case number

Key Takeaways

1. Each court level has specific e-filing portal and requirements

2. Valid DSC is mandatory - maintain backup and track expiry

3. Follow strict PDF standards - searchable text, proper formatting

4. Save all receipts and acknowledgments immediately after filing