Nari Adalat scheme is no mere dispute-resolution tool but a fundamental shift in empowering women to stand up, claim their rights, gain confidence, and engage with governance and justice systems. As availing justice to many women in India seems to be a major challenge, especially in the rural regions, where the law system may be distant, technical or frightening.
Women may not be able to find timely assistance when being harassed, or in cases of domestic abuse or property issues, because of social barriers, insufficient awareness, and a lack of funds.
As a solution to these issues and to establish justice at the grassroots(village) level, the Government of India developed Nari Adalat as an extension of the Sambal sub-scheme of the Mission Shakti scheme started by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
This project launches a local ground, which women can use to resolve conflicts by counselling, mediation, and mutual decision-making. This article will discuss all features of the Nari Adalat scheme, including its aims, characteristics, advantages, eligibility, procedures of applying to the scheme, Nari Adalat contact number and much more.
Overview Of Nari Adalat Scheme
The table below highlights the key details of the Nari Adalat initiative:
| Particular | Details |
|---|
| Scheme Name (Nari Adalat kya hai) | Nari Adalat Scheme |
| Parent Scheme | Mission Shakti (Sambal Sub-Scheme) |
| Nari Adalat launch date | August 10, 2025 |
| Implementing Ministry | Ministry of Women and Child Development |
| Level of Implementation | Gram Panchayat |
| Objective | Provide local grievance redressal for women |
| Services Offered | Counselling, mediation, awareness |
| Target Beneficiaries | Women and girls facing social or legal issues |
| Mode of Application | Offline |
| Financial Support | Operational funds and incentives for members |
| Key Stakeholders | Nyaya Sakhis, Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi |
Also Read: Working Women Hostel Scheme Providing Safe Housing For Women
What Is Nari Adalat?
Nari Adalat refers to a community-driven grievance redressal mechanism which seeks to offer affordable, informal, and efficient dispute resolution mechanisms to women at the village level. It functions under the Gram Panchayat system and is governed by educated women members called Nyaya Sakhis.
As opposed to formal courts, the Nari Adalat scheme aims at solving conflicts based on dialogue, counselling, and mutual understanding. It makes a conducive and secure space where women can open up without intimidation by stigma or legal tangle.
The project is effective in filling the gap linking the citizens with the formal justice systems, as the project offers them the chance of receiving immediate assistance and also linking the women to the police, the legal system, and healthcare systems when they are needed.
Objectives Of Nari Adalat
The importance of the scheme in enhancing village-level governance and justice delivery can be realised by understanding the bigger goals of the scheme.
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Make Justice Available at Localised Level: The government scheme helps in maintaining a bridge between the affected women and the opposite party by setting up platforms in their respective areas.
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Foster Alternative Dispute Resolution: It will promote increased counselling, mediation and negotiation over protracted legal timeframes.
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Empower Women Collectives: The program enhances the role of women in governance through their involvement in decision-making and conflict resolution.
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Creating Awareness on the Legal Rights: It teaches women about their rights, government schemes and support systems existent.
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Assure Social peace and equality: The scheme seeks to achieve an equal and peaceful co-existence among communities by settling disagreements without arguments.
Features Of Nari Adalat
The characteristics of Nari Adalat that made it an effective system should be known before venturing into the platform.
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Community-based Justice System: The platform is based at the gram panchayat level, which makes it accessible and familiar to the beneficiaries.
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Women-Led Decision-Making: Women-trained members facilitate the process to provide a conducive atmosphere of understanding and empathy to those who complain.
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Concentrate on Mediation and Counselling: The scheme emphasises the use of non-adversarial approaches like dialogue and negotiation to settle disputes.
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Communication with Formal Institutions: It bridges the beneficiaries with the police, hospitals, and legal services when in need.
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Periodic Check-In and Check-Outs: Cases are looked into in a streamlined fashion, and follow-ups are made so that problems do not arise again.
Advantages Of Nari Adalat
The sarkari scheme has a broad scope of benefits that not only help in the empowerment of an individual but also the community.
Grievance Redressal Support
Nari Adalat is an organised forum through which several social and legal challenges affecting women are solved.
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Ready-to-use Dispute Resolution Mechanism: Women do not need to deal with the formal courts, but can settle their disputes on-site locally.
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Broad Category of Cases That Are Represented: The platform deals with cases that are of domestic violence, harassment, property disagreements and social disputes.
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Safe and Supportive Environment: It guarantees confidentiality and emotional support among complainants.
Counselling And Mediation Services
The plan underlines amicable and non-violent solutions.
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Professional Counselling Support: Trained members give advice and emotional support to victims.
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Negotiation and Mediation Techniques: The disputes are settled by way of dialogue, which is fair and can only be settled by a mutual agreement.
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Evidence-Based Approach: The choices to be taken rest on facts and practical considerations.
Awareness Generation
Nari Adalat is very instrumental in community education.
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Encouragement of Law Literacy: Women are educated on their rights and the law.
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Awareness Campaigns: An awareness programme on gender equality and social justice is carried out.
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Education on Government Benefits: Beneficiaries are informed regarding welfare programs and benefits.
Community Support Facility
The program is an interface between individuals and organisations.
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Handholding and Guidance: Women are supported throughout the process of the resolution.
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Institutional Linkages: The platform links beneficiaries with police, healthcare, and legal services.
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Enhancing Social Networks: It enhances the solidarity and helps each other in the community.
Also Read: How The Udyogini Scheme Is Empowering Women Entrepreneurs In Karnataka?
Financial Support And Incentives
The Nari Adalat scheme provides financial assistance to ensure smooth functioning and motivate members.
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Meeting Support | ₹3,000 per meeting for logistics |
| Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi Honorarium | ₹500 per meeting |
| Nyaya Sakhi Incentive | ₹200 per member per meeting |
| Uniform Allowance | ₹800 per member (twice a year) |
What Is The Eligibility Criteria Of The Nari Adalat?
The plan establishes distinct rules of eligibility for the beneficiaries and members.
For Beneficiaries
To qualify as recipients of aid, women should have the following requirements.
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Local Gram Panchayat Resident: The applicant must be a member of the society where Nari Adalat is based.
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Addressing Social or Legal Problems: The scheme can be used by women who struggle against harassment, violence and lack of rights.
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Readiness to find a Solution: The applicant must be ready to mediate and go through counselling.
For Members (Nyaya Sakhis)
Women who want to engage in the operations of Nari Adalat have to fulfil some conditions.
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Occupant Of The Gram Panchayat: The members should be part of the immediate community.
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Socially Rested and Respected: They ought to be socially respected and engaged in community activities.
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Preferred Background: It can be elected representatives or members of a self-help group, teachers, doctors, lawyers, or social workers.
Documents Required For Nari Adalat
The documentation requirements are minimal and depend on the nature of the case.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|
| Identity Proof | Verification of the applicant |
| Address Proof | Proof of residence |
| Supporting Evidence | Case-specific documents |
| Any Additional Documents | As directed by the authorities |
What Is The Application Process Of The Nari Adalat?
It is a basic procedure that can be made easy for all women. Follow the steps below to complete the whole application process smoothly:-
Step 1: The aggrieved woman can directly visit the local Nari Adalat, where she can complain of her problem.
Step 2: The complaint is formally recorded, and the necessary information is documented.
Step 3: A case hearing date is determined and communicated to all those who are involved.
Step 4: Notices are dispatched to the parties involved in order to make them attend the hearing.
Step 5: The case is solved through negotiations, counselling, and the use of evidence-based discussions.
Step 6: Nari Adalat follows up on the case at least one month to guarantee that the problem does not happen again.
What Is The Implementation Status Of Nari Adalat In India?
The Nari Adalat initiative was first launched in 2023 on a pilot basis in 50 Gram Panchayats each in Assam and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir to test its effectiveness in resolving women-related disputes at the grassroots level. Following its success, the programme is now being expanded across multiple states in India.
A key milestone includes the launch of Nari Adalat Sikkim in August 2025. The government is planning further implementation in around 16 states, including Bihar, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. Additionally, discussions around expansion to regions like Nari Adalat in Odisha and Nari Adalat Tripura indicate steady nationwide growth.
Overall, the scheme is gradually scaling to strengthen community-based justice systems and improve access to support for women at the local level.
Key Rules And Recommendations
There are some things that the applicants should remember so that their experience is as seamless as possible.
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Give the Right Information: All the information presented when registering the complaint should be accurate and verifiable.
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Collaborate in the course of Mediation: Both parties are to engage in the dialogue in order to resolve the situation.
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Know the Informality of Platform: Nari Adalat is more about friendly solutions and not judgments by law.
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Follow Up On Decisions: Beneficiaries will need to remain active during follow-up in order to be compliant.
Also Read: Kerala Sthree Suraksha Scheme.
Difficulties And Constraints Of Nari Adalat
Although strong, the Nari Adalat scheme has some challenges that are likely to influence its implementation.
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Poor Awareness among Rural Population: A lot of women might be unaware of the existence of such platform.
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Dependence on Community Involvement: This system must be actively involved with members in order to work.
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Difficult Cases: Sometimes, there may be cases that require courtroom action other than mediation.
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Limitations in resources: The insufficiency of financial and human resources can influence the extent of activities.
Impact On Society of Nari Adalat
The government scheme transforms the lives of people and places in the following ways, read them to understand it better:-
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Strengthening Women on the Grassroots Level: Women become self-confident and leaders in their communities.
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Curtailment of Court Workload: Numerous issues are addressed at the local level, and less strain is put on the formal courts.
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Promotion of Gender Equality: The initiative encourages the dignity of women and respect for their rights.
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Enhancing Community Ties: Community problem-solving builds trust and collaboration between residents.
Conclusion
Nari Adalat is an enlightened and inclusive program which is taking justice to the grassroots level of women. It involves counselling, mediation and awareness, which makes it a conducive environment where women do not fear or hesitate to deal with their problems.
The scheme is not only able to resolve disputes but also enables women to be in control of their lives, contribute to decision-making, and community development. Although issues like lack of awareness and resources still exist, the project has a massive potential to change the system of justice delivery in rural India.
In the long run, Nari Adalat is a move towards more humane, accessible and community-oriented justice, in line with the larger goal of gender equality and inclusive governance in India.
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