NALSA SAMVAD 2025: Features, Challenges, Way Forward

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Context

The first phase of the NALSA's SAMVAD Scheme concluded by February 2026, successfully establishing specialized support units in 100 districts with large tribal populations.

What is SAMVAD Scheme?

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) launched the SAMVAD Scheme in April 2025, to provide proactive legal aid to most marginalized communities. 

SAMVAD stands for Strengthening Access to Justice for Marginalized, Vulnerable Adivasis and Denotified/Nomadic Tribes. 

The scheme aims to bridge the gap between legal entitlements and their actual delivery on the ground by moving from a reactive to a proactive model of justice.

Significance of the SAMVAD Scheme 

The scheme is designed to improve access to justice for vulnerable populations, who currently face barriers despite the constitutional guarantee of Free Legal Aid under Article 39A.

The Accessibility Gap

India's tribal population, over 10.45 crore (Source: Census 2011), has extremely low legal literacy. The India Justice Report 2024 found that only 14% of rural citizens knew about free legal services.

Systemic Exclusion of DNTs

The 10 crore people belonging to De-Notified and Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) lack basic identity documents, making them invisible to the state and its welfare schemes (Source: Renke Commission Report).

Judicial Overburden

With over 5 crore pending cases in courts, marginalized communities cannot afford prolonged litigation. SAMVAD focuses on pre-litigation resolution to reduce the burden on courts.

Objectives and Structure of the Scheme

Target Beneficiaries

• Scheduled Tribes (STs), with a special focus on communities in Schedule V and VI areas.
• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), which include 75 identified groups facing challenges like declining population and low literacy.
• De-Notified Tribes (DNTs), who face historical stigma from the colonial Criminal Tribes Act.

The SAMVAD Support Unit (SSU)

The SSU is the foundational block of the scheme, established within the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).

Composition: Each SSU includes panel lawyers, social workers, and, most importantly, Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs) who are recruited from the local tribal community to ensure cultural and linguistic relatability.

Key Functions:

• Legal Awareness: Educating communities on their rights under laws like the PESA Act, 1996 and the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006.
• Entitlement Delivery: Assisting in obtaining crucial documents like Aadhaar cards, caste certificates, and ration cards.
• Dispute Resolution: Using pre-litigation mediation, including leveraging customary laws where appropriate, to resolve conflicts outside the formal court system.

Initial Impact and Success Stories

The Gadchiroli Model (Maharashtra): In a Naxal-affected area, SAMVAD PLVs conducted "Forest Rights Camps" to help Madia Gond tribals claim their land rights under the FRA.  

Identity for the Invisible (Rajasthan): The Jaisalmer SSU arranged special "Camp Courts" for the nomadic Bhopa community, who lacked permanent addresses.

What are the Challenges in implementing SAMVAD scheme? 

Funding Bottlenecks: State-level bureaucratic delays lead to underutilization of allocated funds for legal aid.

Trust Deficit: Historical oppression makes DNTs view the police and legal system with deep-seated fear and suspicion, highlighted by the Idate Commission.

Digital Divide: Poor internet connectivity in remote tribal areas limits the effectiveness of digital tools like Tele-Law.  

Conflict with Customary Law: Formal legal interventions, especially on issues like women's inheritance, face resistance from traditional tribal councils.

Way Forward

Data Convergence: Integrate SAMVAD beneficiary data with platforms like the e-Shram portal to identify and target those excluded from welfare schemes.

Institutionalize PLVs: Transition Para-Legal Volunteers from a volunteer-based model to a paid cadre, similar to ASHA workers, to ensure accountability and professional commitment.

Police Sensitization: Joint training workshops for police personnel and SAMVAD PLVs to build trust and prevent atrocities against SC/ST communities.

Strengthen PESA: Use the scheme as a tool to legally empower Gram Sabhas, enabling them to manage their resources and resolve disputes locally, thereby reducing litigation.

Conclusion 

The NALSA SAMVAD Scheme is an important step towards inclusive justice, reflecting the philosophy of "Antyodaya" (uplifting the last person), and must be developed into a truly effective system rather than remaining a mere symbol.

Source: PIB