The Ministry of Law and Justice has introduced Nyaya Setu on WhatsApp, a free AI-enabled legal assistance service designed to simplify legal guidance and connect citizens across India with information, advice, and professional support.
In a major step towards improving access to justice, the Ministry of Law and Justice has rolled out Nyaya Setu, a free legal assistance service delivered through WhatsApp. The initiative is aimed at taking legal awareness and basic guidance directly to citizens, particularly those in remote and underserved areas.
Nyaya Setu is designed to break down common barriers to justice such as complex legal language, limited awareness, and the cost of consultations. By using WhatsApp—India’s most widely used messaging platform—the government hopes to ensure legal help is available around the clock without requiring physical visits to courts or service centres.
AI-driven legal guidance for citizens
Nyaya Setu operates as an AI-powered chatbot that provides structured legal information and preliminary guidance across a wide range of issues. These include family and matrimonial matters such as divorce and child custody, domestic violence protections, property and tenancy disputes, as well as basic criminal and corporate law queries.
The platform builds on an earlier digital version developed for official use but shifts the focus firmly to citizens. Its conversational interface simplifies legal concepts, helping users understand their rights and possible next steps in plain language.
Gateway to professional legal support
While Nyaya Setu does not replace courts or legal practitioners, it acts as an entry point to professional assistance. For cases requiring deeper intervention, the system can link users to existing government programmes such as Tele-Law and Nyaya Bandhu, which connect individuals with qualified lawyers, including pro-bono legal experts.
The service can be accessed by saving a dedicated number on WhatsApp and initiating a chat. After a simple verification step, users can choose between general legal information, personalised guidance, or support in connecting with a lawyer.
Officials said the initiative aligns with the government’s broader “Ease of Justice” vision and the Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman campaign, ensuring that lack of awareness or financial constraints do not prevent citizens from seeking justice.
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