PIB TrackerGovernment renews its access-to-justice scheme as 'DISHA 2.0' with an AI-powered Nyaya Setu chatbot
The DISHA scheme has been restructured for 2026-31 with a Rs 255 crore outlay, a new VIDHI-Sanjeevani component and a centralised digital platform — targeting 3 crore beneficiaries to take legal aid and awareness to the last mile.
What happened
- Union MoS (I/C) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal approved the continuation of the Central Sector Scheme 'Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA)', restructured as DISHA 2.0.
- It runs for five years, 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031, co-terminus with the 16th Finance Commission cycle, with a total outlay of Rs 255 crore funded through 100% Gross Budgetary Support.
- DISHA 2.0 introduces a new component, VIDHI (Vision for Integrated Delivery of Harmonized Legal Initiatives)-Sanjeevani.
- It features a centralised digital platform and an AI-powered 'Nyaya Setu' chatbot for technology-enabled justice delivery.
- The restructured scheme aims for a cumulative outreach of 3 crore beneficiaries across its four programme components, fulfilling the constitutional mandate of access to justice.
For Prelims
- DISHA Scheme: Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice — a Central Sector Scheme of the Department of Justice that umbrella-s programmes like Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (pro bono) and Nyaya Mitra for last-mile legal aid.
- Central Sector Scheme: A scheme 100% Union-funded and implemented by central agencies (like DISHA) — distinct from a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (cost-shared with states).
- Co-terminus with the Finance Commission cycle: Aligning a scheme's period (2026-31) with the 16th Finance Commission award period synchronises funding and review with the fiscal-transfer cycle.
- Access to justice & Article 39A: Article 39A (a Directive Principle) mandates free legal aid and equal justice; read with Articles 14 and 21, it underpins legal-aid schemes.
- Tele-Law: Connects citizens with lawyers for pre-litigation advice via Common Service Centres (CSCs) — a flagship DISHA programme being scaled with technology (now an AI chatbot, 'Nyaya Setu').
- NALSA: The statutory National Legal Services Authority (Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987) provides free legal aid and runs Lok Adalats — complementing DISHA.
- Don't confuse: DISHA 2.0 (Department of Justice scheme) is distinct from NALSA (statutory legal-services authority); it is a continuation/restructuring with a new digital component, not a new law.
For UPSC: DISHA 2.0 (2026-31, Rs 255 cr, 100% central) renews India's access-to-justice scheme with a VIDHI-Sanjeevani component and an AI 'Nyaya Setu' chatbot, targeting 3 crore beneficiaries. Anchor DISHA's components (Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, Nyaya Mitra), the Central-Sector-Scheme definition, Article 39A/14/21 access to justice, the 16th Finance Commission co-terminus period, and NALSA/Lok Adalats.
What it is NOT: DISHA 2.0 is a restructured Central Sector Scheme (100% Union-funded) — NOT a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, and distinct from the statutory NALSA. 'Nyaya Setu' is an AI chatbot within it, and the scheme is a continuation with a new component, not a brand-new law.
For Mains
Syllabus: GS2.15 · GS2.10 · Linkage L2
Anchor
Technology-enabled access to justice — scaling legal aid and awareness to the last mile through digital and AI tools.
Substantiation (data)
DISHA 2.0 (2026-31), Rs 255 cr, 100% central; new VIDHI-Sanjeevani; AI 'Nyaya Setu' chatbot; target 3 crore beneficiaries.
Exemplification
Cite DISHA's Tele-Law (via CSCs) and the new AI chatbot as examples of technology-driven legal empowerment under Article 39A.
Problematisation
Pendency, awareness and digital-access gaps, quality of legal aid, and ensuring AI tools are accurate and accessible in local languages remain challenges.
Way-forward
Scale Tele-Law and the digital platform, ensure multilingual and offline access, strengthen NALSA/Lok Adalats, and measure real outreach and outcomes.
Position
Government stance: a restructured, digitally enabled DISHA 2.0 widens affordable, inclusive access to justice and fulfils the constitutional mandate.
Deploys into: Access to justice & legal empowerment (DISHA/Tele-Law, Article 39A) · e-governance & AI in service delivery · Central Sector Scheme & Finance Commission cycle · NALSA (GS2.15 governance & e-governance, GS2.10 government policies & interventions).
Ministry of Law and Justice · 2026-06-22 · PRID 2276525 · PIB source ↗