Pro Bono Power: Law School Clubs Join Forces to Expand Nyaya Bandhu Reach
(Judicial Quest News Network)
In a bid to expand legal access to underserved communities, the Department of Justice is driving forward the Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Service) initiative under the flagship scheme Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA). The programme connects eligible beneficiaries—entitled to free legal aid under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987—with registered Pro Bono Advocates via the Nyaya Bandhu digital platform, available on iOS, Android, and the UMANG app.
Currently, over 9,261 legal professionals have volunteered and enrolled on the platform, marking a significant milestone in advancing equitable justice. Strengthening its institutional reach, panels of Pro Bono Advocates have been formally established in 23 High Courts across India.
Furthering its mission, the programme has launched Pro Bono Clubs in 109 law schools nationwide to foster a culture of voluntary legal service and inspire students to champion access to justice from the grassroots level.
To enhance the reach and effectiveness of the Nyaya Bandhu program in remote areas, Pro Bono Clubs (PBCs) in the Law schools are engaged in providing community care legal assistance and legal awareness to the beneficiaries in the villages, for a sustained pro bono participation nationwide.
In order to broad base the outreach of Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services), a dedicated portal on Nyaya Bandhu (https://www.probono-doj.in/) is available for the citizens in 22 scheduled languages of the country. Access to relevant Information Education and Communication (IEC) material on Nyaya Bandhu has been provided, in the form of message from the Hon’ble Minister of State, Law & Justice (I/C), print and digital material relating to the registration process on Nyaya Bandhu Application for both citizens and Advocates, broadcast of information through L-Band and Aston Band on Doordarshan, voices of Pro Bono Advocates, short film on Nyaya Bandhu and dissemination of Nyaya Bandhu pamphlets across District Courts and display of hoardings at the petrol pumps, convenience centers and other public places for enhancing outreach in the country.
Till 30th June, 2025, approximately, 14888 women beneficiaries have registered under the Nyaya Bandhu App, seeking legal assistance related to civil and criminal laws, including Women and Child safety, Family and Matrimonial disputes, Domestic Violence, Property Disputes, Workplace Harassment, etc.
The Nyaya Bandhu Application has been integrated with Tele- Law (pre-litigation advice) services under the DISHA scheme. Through the Tele- Law App, beneficiaries may consult with a panel lawyer on seeking further legal advice and assistance from Nyaya Bandhu Pro Bono advocate. With support from the Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) and Panel Lawyers engaged in pre-litigation advice under Tele-Law, awareness about the Nyaya Bandhu is being spread to the citizens in their regional language at the Common Service Centres (CSCs) and via Helpline Toll- free number 14454. This seamless integration aims to create a mechanism for delivering legal advice and assistance to needy beneficiaries across the country.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice; and Minister of state in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
