DISHA Scheme – Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice

Why in News?

Recently, Chennai Hosts Regional Tele-Law Workshop under DISHA Scheme.

• Aim – The DISHA scheme integrates multiple legal aid initiatives especially for marginalized and rural communities.
• It fulfils the constitutional mandate of Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid through digital platforms and grassroots legal services.
• Type of Scheme – Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by the Union Government).
• Launched in - April 2021.
• Duration - 2021–2026.
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Law and Justice
• Implementing Agency – Department of Justice 
• Relevant constitutional provisions – Article 39A (equal justice and free legal aid).
• Article 14 (Equality Before Law and equal protection of the laws).
• Article 21 (Fundamental right to life and personal liberty).
• Coverage – Pan-India coverage across all States and Union Territories.
• Objectives –Deliver citizen-centric legal services through a unified framework.
• Promote technology-enabled justice delivery.
• Improve legal literacy and awareness.
• Provide pre-litigation legal support to reduce court burden.

Key Components

• Tele-Law Programme – Provides free pre-litigation legal advice via panel lawyers.
• Accessible through Common Service Centres (CSCs) or the Tele-Law app and a Toll-free helpline.
• Nyaya Bandhu Programme – Connects volunteer advocates with eligible beneficiaries for free legal representation.
• Pro Bono Clubs established in 109 law colleges.
• e-Courts Mission Mode Project (Case Tracking) – aims to digitise and modernise the judiciary using Information and Communication Technology.
• Phase III (2023–2027) – Focus on paperless courts and digital case management.
• Digital Courts 2.1 system - AI-based tools like LegRAA and SUPACE for legal research and case analysis.
• Virtual courts for cases such as traffic challans.

India’s first fully paperless district court was inaugurated in Kalpetta, Wayanad (Kerala) in January 2026.

• Nyaya Sahayaks – Introduced in 2024, to provide door-to-door legal service, linking citizens to legal aid platforms.

Quick Facts

• National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) – It is established under the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987.
  • To Provide free legal aid to weaker sections.
  • Organise Lok Adalat for speedy dispute settlement.
  • Ensure equal access to justice.
  • Structure of Legal Services Authorities
• Legal aid institutions at multiple levels –
  • National Legal Services Authority (NALSA),
  • State Legal Services Authorities (SLSA),
  • District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA),
  • Taluk Legal Services Committees.

References

1. PIB | DISHA Scheme
2. DOJ | DISHA Scheme