Department of Justice to launch 'Nyaya Prabodh' legal-literacy campaign at a DISHA & 'Reforms Utsav' workshop

A regional workshop in Dharamshala will showcase a decade of justice-sector reforms and roll out a year-long citizen legal-awareness campaign — 'Know Your Rights in 90 seconds', a Nyaya Quiz and a Pro Bono Pledge — under the DISHA access-to-justice scheme.

What happened

• The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, is organising a Regional Workshop under the DISHA Scheme (a Central Sector Scheme) along with a 'Reforms Utsav' on 15 June 2026 at Dharamshala, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.
• The event reflects the Department's commitment to strengthening access to justice, promoting legal awareness, fostering a pro bono culture, and showcasing the transformative reforms in the justice sector over the last twelve years.
• A major highlight is the launch of 'Nyaya Prabodh - Awakening to Justice', a year-long legal-awareness campaign to deepen citizens' understanding of their constitutional and legal rights and responsibilities.
• Under Nyaya Prabodh, citizen-centric activities will be launched — 'Know Your Rights in 90 seconds', a 'Nyaya Quiz' (constitutional values and legal institutions, aimed at youth/students), and a 'Pro Bono Pledge' for advocates and law students to volunteer expertise for the underprivileged.
• The programme is to be graced by the Governor and Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice.

For Prelims

• DISHA Scheme: Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice — a Central Sector Scheme of the Department of Justice for pan-India legal aid and empowerment, umbrella-ing programmes like Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (pro bono) and Nyaya Mitra.
• Tele-Law: Connects citizens (especially rural/marginalised) with lawyers for pre-litigation advice via Common Service Centres (CSCs) and the Tele-Law mobile app — a flagship under DISHA.
• Access to justice & DPSP: Article 39A (a Directive Principle) mandates free legal aid and equal justice; Article 14 (equality) and Article 21 (life & liberty, read to include access to justice) are the constitutional anchors.
• NALSA: The National Legal Services Authority (under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987) provides free legal aid and organises Lok Adalats; it works with State (SLSA) and District (DLSA) authorities.
• Central Sector vs Centrally Sponsored: A Central Sector Scheme is 100% Union-funded and implemented by central agencies (like DISHA), unlike a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (cost-shared with states).
• Pro bono culture: 'Pro bono' legal service is voluntary, free legal help; the 'Nyaya Bandhu' programme registers pro bono advocates to assist eligible beneficiaries.
• Don't confuse: The DISHA access-to-justice scheme (Dept of Justice) is distinct from NALSA (the statutory legal-services authority) and from the 'DISHA' district-development monitoring committees — though all serve governance/justice goals.

For Mains

Syllabus: GS2.15 · Linkage L2