The Department of Justice is implementing the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) scheme, a pan-India initiative aimed at providing accessible, affordable, and citizen-centric legal services. DISHA addresses the Constitutional mandate under the Preamble and Articles 39A, 14, and 21 of the Constitution. Currently approved for 2021-2026, the scheme is undergoing appraisal for continuation beyond March 31, 2026.
DISHA operates through three primary components: Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu Pro Bono Legal Services, and Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness programs. Tele-Law connects citizens with lawyers via video conferencing, a mobile app, and a toll-free number (14454) for pre-litigation advice. The Nyaya Bandhu program facilitates connections between pro bono advocates and eligible beneficiaries under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, through the Nyaya Bandhu Application. The Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness component educates beneficiaries about their rights, duties, and entitlements.
As of June 30, 2025, the DISHA Scheme has reached approximately 2.10 crore beneficiaries nationwide. To broaden its reach, the Tele-Law web portal and application have been translated into 22 scheduled languages, and outreach efforts have been expanded through print and digital media. Tele-Law has been integrated with the Nyaya Bandhu platform, and Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness programs have been mainstreamed through regional agencies.
In collaboration with Doordarshan, 56 legal awareness TV programs in 6 languages were developed and aired, reaching over 70.70 lakh citizens. Additionally, 20 thematic legal awareness webinars have been organized on socio-legal issues.
Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, provided this information in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Law and Justice: The Indian governmental ministry responsible for legal affairs and justice.
DISHA Scheme: Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice, a pan-India scheme to provide accessible and affordable legal services.
Constitution: Refers to the Constitution of India and its relevant articles 39A, 14 and 21, which mandate justice, equality and protection of life and personal liberty.
TeleLaw: A component of the DISHA scheme that connects citizens with lawyers through video conferencing and a mobile app for pre-litigation advice.
Nyaya Bandhu Pro Bono Legal Services: A component of the DISHA scheme that facilitates connections between pro bono advocates and beneficiaries eligible for free legal aid.
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987: Indian legislation that provides the framework for legal aid services.
Arjun Ram Meghwal: Minister of State Independent Charge of the Ministry of Law and Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
Sikkim State Women commission: Regional implementing agency for Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness program.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Effectiveness of free legal aid services
Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to
Justice (DISHA) Scheme through its various
programmes has outreached approximately 2.10
crore beneficiaries in the country
Posted On: 24 JUL 2025 4:25PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Justice has been implementing a pan India Scheme namely “Designing Innovative
Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice India (DISHA) which aims to fulfil the Constitutional mandate as
enunciated under the Preamble and Articles 39A, 14 and 21 of the Constitution. Presently, the scheme of
DISHA is approved for the period of 2021-26. In order to continue the scheme beyond 31.03.2026 during the
next Finance Commission Cycle, the scheme is required to undergo an appraisal and approval process based
on an outcome review.
The DISHA scheme provides easy, accessible, affordable and citizen-centric legal services through its
components viz. Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) and Legal Literacy and Legal
awareness programmes and does not involve disposal of pending cases. The Tele-Law connects citizens with
the lawyers through video conferencing facilities and mobile app “Tele- Law” and also through Toll Free
number for rendering pre-litigation advice. The Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono legal services) enables seamless
connect through the Nyaya Bandhu Application (available on Android/IOS) between the interested Pro Bono
Advocates and registered beneficiaries, who are entitled for free legal aid under Section 12 of the Legal
Services Authorities Act, 1987. Further, the third component of DISHA is Legal Literacy and Legal
Awareness programme, through which the beneficiaries are sensitized about their rights, duties, and
th
entitlements. Till 30 June, 2025 DISHA Scheme through its various programmes has outreached
approximately 2.10 crore beneficiaries in the country.
In order to broadbase and strengthen the outreach of the services to the citizen, various measures have been
undertaken. To enhance the outreach, the Tele Law web portal and Tele- Law application have been
translated in 22 scheduled languages. Special endeavours have also been made to increase its outreach
through both print and digital media. Further, special efforts have been made to integrate Tele- Law with
Nyaya Bandhu (Pro bono Legal Services) platform for pre- litigation advice and legal representation of the
beneficiaries. Toll free number for citizens through 14454 has also been operationalised for instant advice
and counselling. The Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness program has been developed and mainstreamed
through various regional implementing agencies like Sikkim State Women commission, Arunachal Pradesh
SLSA, etc. Under a collaboration with Doordarshan, 56 legal awareness TV programs were developed in 6
languages, which were aired and the videos were disseminated through youtube and channel of Doordarshan
reaching out to over 70.70 lakh citizens. In addition, 20 thematic legal awareness webinars have also been
organised from September, 2021 to October, 2023 on socio-legal issues.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice
and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a
question in the Rajya Sabha today.
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Samrat/Allen(Release ID: 2147768)