The Government of India has introduced Nyaya Setu, a new initiative that provides free legal guidance through WhatsApp.
Designed to help ordinary citizens, this service makes understanding legal rights and procedures much easier—without the need to visit a lawyer or court in person.
Nyaya Setu acts like a digital assistant, guiding users through legal questions and providing information in a simple, conversational way.
What is Nyaya Setu and How It Works
Nyaya Setu is a WhatsApp chatbot developed by the Department of Justice with technology partners.
It covers a wide range of legal topics, including:
Basics of civil and criminal law
Consumer rights and remedies
Family law issues
Property disputes
Labour and employment rights
How to file complaints and cases
Using Nyaya Setu is easy. Users start a chat with the official number on WhatsApp, choose options from the menu, and receive clear explanations and links to official forms or government schemes.
The service is available 24/7 and is free of cost.
While it does not replace personal legal advice, it is an excellent first step to understand your legal options.
Why Nyaya Setu Matters
Many people hesitate to seek legal help because of cost, complexity, or lack of awareness.
Nyaya Setu addresses these problems by:
Empowering citizens with knowledge of their rights
Providing accurate legal guidance instead of informal sources
Making legal procedures more transparent and understandable
Promoting access to justice, especially for remote or marginalised communities
By bringing legal information to a platform everyone already uses, the government is making justice more accessible to all.
How Citizens Can Benefit
Nyaya Setu is especially useful for first-time users who need help with:
Drafting complaints
Understanding required documents
Knowing timelines and steps for court procedures
Finding government-assisted legal aid
By lowering barriers to legal information, Nyaya Setu can help citizens make informed decisions early, while also reducing pressure on courts, lawyers, and legal support organisations.
Future Plans
Officials have indicated that Nyaya Setu may soon include additional features such as:
Support in multiple languages
Links to legal aid clinics
Integration with other justice delivery platforms
This initiative marks a significant step towards digital governance and demonstrates how technology can simplify access to legal help for millions of Indians.
