The Government launched Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) programme in the year 2017 with the primary aim of advancing the culture of pro bono and creating a framework for dispensation of offering pro bono legal services across the country. It links the persons eligible to avail free legal aid under Section 12 of Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987 with the pro bono lawyers. The programme was integrated to a citizen- centric scheme named Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice in India (DISHA) for the period of 5 years (2021-2026). One of the key objectives under Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) programme is to register advocates who voluntarily offer their time and services for case registration and assistance in the court.  As on 30^th November, 2025, 9776 Pro Bono Advocates have registered on Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) Portal.
In order to bolster the culture of Pro Bono among young legal minds, Pro Bono Club sub scheme has been operationalized across 109 law schools in the country. Moreover, to institutionalize the efforts, Panels of Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) at 23 High Courts has been made functional.
In addition, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has been set up under the Legal Services Authorities (LSA)Act, 1987 to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society including beneficiaries covered under Section 12 of the LSA Act. For this purpose, the legal Services Institutions have been setup from the Taluk Court level to the Supreme Court. However, NALSA and Legal Services Institutions under it, are not involvedin those cases where Pro bono services are rendered by the advocates on their own.
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 Rajya Sabha today.

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