Centre Launches DISHA 2.0 with ₹255 Crore Outlay to Expand Technology-Driven Access to Justice Across India.

Key Highlights:

• The Centre launched DISHA 2.0 (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) with an approved financial outlay of ₹255 crore.
• The scheme is a Central Sector Scheme for pan-India implementation from 2026-31.
• It aims to leverage technology to enhance outreach of citizen-friendly legal service platforms.
• DISHA 2.0 comprises four components: Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services), Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme (LLLAP), and VIDHI-Sanjeevani.
• The Nyaya Setu AI Chatbot, launched on March 29, 2026, provides legal assistance in 22 Indian languages using a voice-first interface.
• VIDHI-Sanjeevani is projected to reach 50 lakh beneficiaries over five years (2026-31).

Detailed Insights:

• DISHA 2.0 focuses on developing and enhancing technology-driven solutions for legal services across the country.
• Tele-Law connects individuals with panel lawyers for free pre-litigation advice via mobile app, Toll-Free No. 14454, and video conferencing at Common Service Centres (CSCs).
• Nyaya Sahayaks are engaged in Aspirational Blocks to strengthen the delivery of Tele-Law services at the grassroots level.
• Nyaya Bandhu facilitates voluntary legal assistance by advocates to marginalized sections, as covered under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
• Pro-Bono Clubs are functional in law schools nationwide to encourage community-led pro-bono services among law students.
• LLLAP engages with institutions and ministries to build capacity of grassroots workers and spread legal awareness through workshops and IEC materials.
• VIDHI-Sanjeevani is a centralized integrated dashboard designed to monitor the scheme's performance, service delivery, and implementation progress.
• The Nyaya Setu AI Chatbot utilizes a Hybrid Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture to ensure responses are grounded in statutory legal texts.
• Monitoring of the scheme's outcome is primarily through the VIDHI-Sanjeevani dashboard, supplemented by regular review meetings and field visits.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Central Sector Scheme: Schemes fully funded by the Central Government and implemented by Central agencies.
• Pro-Bono Legal Services: Legal work undertaken voluntarily and without payment for the public good.
• Hybrid Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG): An AI architecture combining information retrieval with generative models to produce grounded responses.
• Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987: An Act providing for the constitution of legal services authorities to offer free and competent legal services.