DISHA 2.0 SCHEME: REVOLUTIONIZING ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN INDIA

Why In News?

The Union Government approves the extension of the DISHA 2.0 scheme for the period 2026-2031 with a financial outlay of ₹255 crore.  

What is DISHA 2.0?

Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) 2.0 functions as a comprehensive Central Sector Scheme that integrates technology with legal aid to create a citizen-centric justice delivery system.

The scheme builds upon the success of the DISHA Scheme (2021-26), which reached over 2.37 crore beneficiaries, including 1.13 crore pre-litigation advice via Tele-Law. 

The scheme fulfills mandates under Articles 14, 21, and 39A of the Constitution of India regarding Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid. 

It supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG-16) and the Prime Minister’s vision of integrating "ease of justice" into the national development agenda.

Objectives of DISHA 2.0

Legal Aid for Marginalized Groups: The scheme targets a cumulative outreach of 3 crore beneficiaries, ensuring citizens overcome economic, social, and geographic barriers to justice.

Strengthening Legal Awareness: It transforms passive recipients into empowered citizens by partnering with Ministries, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

Faster and Affordable Justice: The initiative utilizes 2,50,000 Common Service Centres (CSCs) operated by Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) at the Gram Panchayat level to provide immediate, free legal advice.

Promoting Inclusive Justice: Nyaya Sahayaks provide doorstep assistance across 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks.

Key Components of the Scheme

Legal Literacy Programmes: The Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme (LLLAP) conducts widespread campaigns, having already reached over 1.24 crore beneficiaries.

Legal Aid Services: The scheme operates via Tele-Law (video/telephonic consultations via 14454 helpline) and Nyaya Bandhu (pro-bono legal services involving Pro-Bono Clubs in law colleges).

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): It fortifies pre-litigation environments, complementing Lok Adalats established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

Capacity Building: The VIDHI-Sanjeevani platform introduces an integrated dashboard and an AI-powered multilingual Nyaya Setu Chatbot (developed with BHASHINI) for real-time monitoring and query resolution.

Target Beneficiaries

Legal Eligibility: Beneficiaries derive rights from Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

• Women and Children: Covered regardless of financial status.
• Marginalized Communities: Members of a Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST).
• Vulnerable Victims: Survivors of human trafficking or individuals subjected to begar.
• Persons with Disabilities: Defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
• Victims of Disaster: Those affected by mass disasters, ethnic violence, caste atrocities, floods, droughts, or industrial accidents.
• Individuals in Custody: Includes those in protective homes, juvenile homes, psychiatric hospitals, or correctional facilities.
• Industrial Workmen: Entitled to services in disputes arising under industrial laws.
• Economically Disadvantaged: Persons with an annual income below a specified limit (varies by state, typically Rs 3 Lakh to Rs 5 Lakh).  

Inclusive Coverage: The scheme prioritizes Women (complementing Nirbhay Chetna), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Children (linked to Fast Track Special Courts), Senior Citizens, and Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan).

Institutional Framework

Department of Justice: Acts as the nodal agency with 100% Gross Budgetary Support of ₹255 crore.

NALSA: The National Legal Services Authority functions as the apex statutory body for organizing Lok Adalats.

State/District Authorities: State Legal Services Authorities and DLSAs operationalize legal aid and the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS).

Significance of DISHA 2.0

Rule of Law: The scheme onboards 10,681 registered Pro-Bono Advocates to defend vulnerable populations.

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): It dismantles the urban-rural divide by bringing high-quality legal advice to the Gram Panchayat level.

Social Justice: It executes Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) and uses AI to remove language barriers.

Challenges

Awareness Deficit: Digital literacy gaps hinder the use of online grievance redressal.

Resource Constraints: Success depends on the infrastructure of CSCs, including electricity and internet connectivity.

Remote Access: Terrain and language barriers in Aspirational Blocks complicate service delivery.

Way Forward

Digital Expansion: The government must scale the VIDHI-Sanjeevani platform to support all regional dialects.

Grassroots Collaboration: Engage Self Help Groups (SHGs), Anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers as Nyaya Sahayaks.

Proactive Litigation: Encourage youth participation in Pro-Bono Clubs to shift focus toward pre-litigation settlements.

Source: PIB