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Over 16.6 Lakh Citizens Received Free Legal Aid in FY 2025-26, Says Govt

The Union Law Ministry informed the Lok Sabha that over 16.6 lakh persons received free legal aid and advice during the 2025-26 financial year. Key initiatives driving this include the DISHA scheme, whose Tele-Law component has delivered over 1.12 crore pre-litigation advice sessions via Common Service Centres. The government is also promoting pro bono culture through the Nyaya Bandhu program and providing criminal defence via the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System. Additionally, extensive legal literacy programs have reached millions of citizens across the country.

Key Points: Free Legal Aid to 16.6 Lakh People in FY25-26: Law Ministry

  • 16.6 lakh got free legal aid
  • Tele-Law delivered 1.12 crore advice sessions
  • Nyaya Bandhu has 10k+ pro bono advocates
  • 59,630 undertrial prisoners released via LADCS
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Over 16.6 lakh people received free legal aid in FY 2025-26: Law Ministry tells Lok Sabha

Law Ministry reports 16.6 lakh received free legal aid, highlights DISHA, Tele-Law, and Nyaya Bandhu initiatives for accessible justice.

"16,60,249 persons have been provided free legal aid and advice - Union Law Ministry"

New Delhi, March 13

During Financial Year 2025-26, 16,60,249 persons have been provided free legal aid and advice, the Union Law Ministry informed the Lok Sabha on Friday, highlighting the government's efforts to ensure affordable and accessible justice for citizens across the country.

According to the Ministry, the government is implementing several initiatives to improve access to justice, including the scheme "Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA)", which aims to strengthen legal assistance mechanisms in line with the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

Under the Tele-Law component of the scheme, citizens are connected with panel lawyers to obtain pre-litigation legal advice through video or tele-conferencing using a network of about 2.5 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) operating at the Gram Panchayat level across 777 districts, including 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks in 36 States and Union Territories. As of February 28, more than 1.12 crore pre-litigation legal advice services have been delivered under the programme.

The government is also promoting a pro bono culture among advocates and law students through the Nyaya Bandhu initiative. Under the programme, registered pro bono advocates provide free legal assistance and representation to eligible beneficiaries under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act. As of February 28, 10,263 advocates have been registered under the initiative.

In addition, the Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme seeks to build partnerships with ministries, departments, institutions and schools to enhance legal awareness at the grassroots level. The programme has reached over 1.21 crore beneficiaries so far.

The government is also implementing the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS) through the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) since FY 2023-24 to provide legal representation in criminal cases to eligible beneficiaries. As of December 31, 2025, LADCS offices were functional in 680 districts across the country. Under the scheme, 8,71,581 cases have been disposed of out of 12,62,857 assigned cases, while 2,76,476 undertrial prisoners received legal representation, leading to the release of 59,630 undertrial prisoners during FY 2025-26 (up to December 2025).

Apart from these schemes, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) continues to provide free and competent legal services to weaker sections of society through a nationwide network of legal services institutions. These include the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, 38 High Court Legal Services Committees, 37 State Legal Services Authorities, 715 District Legal Services Authorities and 2,475 Taluk Legal Services Committees.

The Ministry further informed that during FY 2025-26 (up to January 2026), 4,91,990 legal awareness programmes and camps were organised, which were attended by over 4.04 crore people.

The information was provided by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The numbers are impressive, no doubt. 16.6 lakh people is a lot. But the real test is quality and follow-up. Free advice is one thing, but does it lead to actual justice? We need to ensure these services are effective, not just a statistic for Parliament.
A
Aman W
Releasing nearly 60,000 undertrial prisoners is a huge achievement. Our jails are overcrowded with people who can't afford bail or a lawyer. LADCS seems to be making a real difference. Hope they expand it to cover all districts soon.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has worked with legal NGOs, I appreciate the scale of the legal literacy programmes. Reaching over 4 crore people is monumental. Awareness is the first step to empowerment. This is how you build a society that knows its rights.
K
Karthik V
Good step, but only 10k pro bono advocates registered? With so many lawyers in the country, that number should be much higher. The legal community needs to step up more. Nyaya Bandhu should be promoted more aggressively in law colleges.
M
Meera T
The focus on Aspirational Districts and Blocks is the right approach. Justice should reach the last person in the queue. Using technology via Tele-Law is brilliant for a country like ours. Hope they keep improving the internet connectivity at these CSCs.

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