Government is implementing different scheme for ensuring affordable and accessible justice to citizen

**Executive Summary** The Ministry of Law and Justice is implementing schemes to ensure affordable and accessible justice for citizens, primarily through the "Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA)" scheme. Key activities include providing free legal aid, conducting awareness programs, and offering legal representation, with significant progress reported up to January 2026. The information was communicated by the Minister of State for Law and Justice. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Scheme Objective:** The "Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA)" scheme aims to strengthen access to justice for all citizens, in accordance with the Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987. * **Tele-Law Component:** * Connects citizens with panel lawyers for pre-litigation advice via video or tele-conferencing. * Utilizes a network of approximately 2.50 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) at the Gram Panchayat level. * Operates across 777 districts, including 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks in 36 States/UTs. * Provided over 1.12 crore pre-litigation advices as of February 28, 2026. * **Nyaya Bandhu Component:** * Promotes a pro bono culture among advocates and law students. * Pro bono Advocates offer free legal assistance and court representation to eligible beneficiaries under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987. * 10,263 advocates were registered under this program as of February 28, 2026. * **Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme:** * Facilitates partnerships with various entities to build capacity of grassroots legal workers and disseminate legal awareness/literacy. * Reached 1,21,48,172 beneficiaries as of February 28, 2026. * **Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS):** * A Central Sector Scheme implemented through NALSA since FY 2023-24. * Provides legal representation in criminal cases for beneficiaries eligible under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987. * LADC offices were functional in 680 districts as of December 31, 2025. * 8,71,581 cases disposed of against 12,62,857 assigned cases. * Provided legal representation to 2,76,476 Under-Trial Prisoners (UTPs), resulting in the release of 59,630 UTPs during FY 2025-26 (up to December 2025). * **National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Services:** * Provides free and competent legal services to weaker sections of society under the LSA Act, 1987. * Legal Services Institutions are established from Taluk to Supreme Court levels. * Activities include legal aid and advice, awareness programs, clinics, literacy clubs, Lok Adalats, and Victim Compensation Scheme implementation. * **Overall Statistics (FY 2025-26, up to January 2026):** * 16,60,249 persons received free legal aid and advice. * 4,91,990 legal awareness programmes/camps organized, attended by 4,04,59,246 persons. **Impact Analysis** * **Citizens (Weaker Sections of Society):** * **Impact:** Increased access to affordable and competent legal services, pre-litigation advice, and legal representation, particularly for those eligible under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987. Enhanced legal awareness and literacy. * **Action Required:** Utilize the provided channels (Tele-Law, CSCs, Nyaya Bandhu, Legal Aid Defense Counsel System, NALSA institutions) to seek legal assistance and awareness. * **Advocates and Law Students:** * **Impact:** Opportunity to engage in pro bono work through the Nyaya Bandhu program, contributing to legal aid and representation. * **Action Required:** Register under the Nyaya Bandhu program to offer pro bono services. * **Panel Lawyers:** * **Impact:** Engaged through the Tele-Law component to provide pre-litigation advice to citizens. * **Action Required:** Participate in the Tele-Law network to offer legal advice. * **Common Service Centres (CSCs):** * **Impact:** Serve as a network point for connecting citizens with panel lawyers through the Tele-Law component. * **Action Required:** Facilitate the Tele-Law service delivery to citizens at the Gram Panchayat level. * **Government Ministries, Departments, Institutions, and Schools:** * **Impact:** Participate in partnerships to promote legal literacy and awareness programs. * **Action Required:** Continue or initiate collaborations for capacity building and dissemination of legal awareness/literacy. * **Legal Services Institutions (Supreme Court to Taluk Level):** * **Impact:** Continue to provide a range of legal services, including aid, advice, awareness programs, clinics, and Lok Adalats. * **Action Required:** Maintain and enhance the delivery of legal services to weaker sections of society.

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