Parliament Question: Facilities to Lawyers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3674 TTO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 13TH MARCH, 2026 FACILITIES TO LAWYERS †3674. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR: Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state: (a) the details of the various facilities being provided by the Government of India to lawyers across the country; (b) whether the Government proposes to provide facilities such as stipends to young advocates in Bihar; (c) if so, the details thereof including eligibility criteria and the number of advocates that have benefited from this scheme so far; and (d) if not, whether the Government is likely to consider the proposal sympathetically? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OFPARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL) (a) to (d): As informed by the Bar Council of India, that in pursuance of the directions of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi in W.P. (C) No. 10159/2024, a circular no. BCI:D: 5383/2024 dated 15.10.2024 has been issued by them recommending the Senior Advocates/ Law Firms and Advocates that a minimum stipend amount may be paid to the junior advocates as Rs. 20,000/- per month in urban areas and Rs. 15,000/- per month in rural areas. It is further submitted that under the Advocates Act,1961, the Advocate Welfare Fund Act, 2001 and respective State Advocate Welfare Acts, Bar Council of India and State Bar Councils are empowered to provide financial assistance to advocates in various exigencies. As per the provision of section 6(2) and section 7(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961, the State Bar Council and Bar Council of India (BCI) respectively have power to constitute one or more funds in the prescribed manner for the purpose of giving financial assistance to organize welfare schemes for indigents, disabled or other advocates. The Bar Council of India has further informed that the Government of Bihar has recently launched a stipend scheme for the advocates in Bihar for their welfare. The eligibility criteria for the scheme are as follows:- i. Advocates who are enrolled on/or after 01.01.2024 with the Bihar State Bar Council are entitled to the benefit of the welfare scheme for the next three years. 1ii. The advocate must be a member of any Bar Association in the courts of Bihar and the Bar Association must also certify that the advocate is in 'active legal practice'. iii. Such eligible advocates will be paid Rs. 5000/- per month for the next three (03) years. iv. The amount shall be disbursed by Bihar Advocates Welfare Trust Committee. ***** 2