**Policy Summary: Nari Adalats Pilot Initiative**
This document provides details regarding Nari Adalats in response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 181, answered on August 1, 2025, concerning the functioning and status of these bodies within India.
Nari Adalats, operating under the Sambal vertical of Mission Shakti, are a pilot initiative for the 15th Finance Commission period. These Adalats are structured around Women Collectives at the panchayat level, each comprising seven to nine members called Nyaya Sakhis, with a Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi leading and coordinating their activities. State/District authorities are responsible for the management and functioning of the Nari Adalats, including member selection. Nyaya Sakhis are selected in Gram Panchayat meetings chaired by the Panchayat President/Sarpanch, with participation from BDOSDM representatives, focusing on socially respected and committed women.
The scheme aims to provide alternative dispute resolution, grievance redressal, counselling, and evidence-based decision-making at the Gram Panchayat level. It is clarified that Nari Adalats are not formal courts, and aggrieved women retain full access to legal mechanisms. Meetings are held fortnightly at designated locations, with provisions for ad-hoc meetings if deemed necessary by the head of the Nari Adalat.
As of FY 2023-24, the demand-driven scheme has been piloted in 50 Gram Panchayats each in Assam and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Nari Adalats are currently functional in eleven districts of Assam (Nalbari, Darrang, Morigaon, Dhubri, Udalguri, South Salmara, Goalpara, Kamrup, Barpeta, Tamulpur, and Baksa) and two districts of Jammu and Kashmir (Kupwara and Baramulla).
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Women and Child Development: The Indian government ministry responsible for policies and programs related to women and children.
Nari Adalats: A pilot initiative under the Sambal vertical of Mission Shakti, functioning as alternative dispute resolution mechanisms at the Gram Panchayat level.
Mission Shakti: A scheme under which Nari Adalat has been introduced as a pilot initiative.
Sambal: A vertical of Mission Shakti under which Nari Adalat has been introduced.
Nyaya Sakhis: Members of the Women Collectives at the panchayat level, responsible for leading and coordinating activities of Nari Adalats.
Gram Panchayat: The village level local self-government, where Nari Adalats operate and hold meetings.
Assam: A State in India where Nari Adalat scheme is being piloted in 50 Gram Panchayats across eleven districts.
Jammu and Kashmir: A Union Territory in India where the Nari Adalat scheme is being piloted in 50 Gram Panchayats across two districts.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.*181
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
NARI ADALATS
*181. SMT. LOVELY ANAND:
Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the details of Nari Adalats functioning in the country, State/UT-wise; and
(b) the details of the cases lying pending in the said courts during the last five years?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI)
(a) & (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.*181 FOR 01.08.2025 BY SMT. LOVELY ANAND ON
‘NARI ADALATS’
(a) & (b) Nari Adalat has been introduced as a pilot initiative under the Sambal vertical of
Mission Shakti for 15th Finance Commission period. Nari Adalat are structured through
Women Collectives formed at the panchayat level and each collective includes seven to nine
members known as Nyaya Sakhis, with one as the Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi to lead and coordinate
activities. The concerned State/District is responsible for the overall management and
functioning of the Nari Adalat, including the identification, selection, and nomination of its
members. The Gram Panchayat, in a meeting chaired by the Panchayat President/Sarpanch and
attended by the BDO/SDM or their representative, selects socially respected and committed
women to serve as members, known as Nyaya Sakhis.
Nari Adalat scheme aims to offer services such as alternative dispute resolution, grievance
redressal, counselling, and decision-making based on evidence at Gram Panchayat level.
However Nari Adalat is not a formal court and hence any aggrieved woman shall always have
recourse to legal mechanism also as per her need. Meetings of Nari Adalat are held fortnightly
at the Gram Panchayat Office, Government Primary School, Common Service Centres,
Anganwadi Centres, or any other place designated by the State Government or Union
Territories to address the cases brought to Nari Adalat. However, if the head of the Nari Adalat
deems it necessary, meeting may be convened at any time.
The scheme is demand driven and has been piloted in 50 Gram Panchayats each in the State of
Assam and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in FY 2023-24.
Nari Adalat is currently functional in selected Gram Panchayats of eleven districts of Assam
namely Nalbari, Darrang, Morigaon, Dhubri, Udalguri, South Salmara, Goalpara, Kamrup,
Barpeta, Tamulpur, and Baksa and in two districts of Jammu & Kashmir namely Kupwara and
Baramulla.
*******