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Nari Adalat Program is an alternative grievance redressal forum at the gram panchayat level. The Nari Adalat Program, under Mission Shakti, ensures gender justice through mediation.
PWOnlyIAS
February 14, 2025
Nari Adalat Program is an innovative initiative by the Government of India aimed at providing women with an alternative dispute resolution mechanism at the Gram Panchayat level. This initiative, implemented under the Sambal sub-scheme of Mission Shakti, is designed to resolve minor disputes and grievances related to domestic violence, dowry, child custody, and other issues through mediation, negotiation, and reconciliation.
| Nari Adalat Program Overview | |
| Aspect | Details |
| Program Name | Nari Adalat Program |
| Implemented By | Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) |
| Launch Year | 2023 (Pilot Basis) |
| Pilot States | Assam, Jammu & Kashmir |
| Expansion Plans | Other states including Bihar, and Karnataka (Proposals Accepted) |
| Objective | To provide an alternative grievance redressal mechanism for women at the Gram Panchayat level |
| Key Focus Areas | Resolving disputes related to domestic violence, dowry, property issues, child custody, and gender justice |
| Structure | 7 to 11 members known as ‘Nyaya Sakhis’ nominated by Gram Panchayat |
| Methodology | Dispute resolution through negotiation, mediation, and reconciliation |
| Part of | Mission Shakti (Under the ‘Sambal’ Sub-Scheme) |
| Related Government Schemes | One Stop Centres (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) |
| Key Benefits | Speedy, affordable, and accessible justice for women at the local level |
| Mode of Functioning | Community-driven, non-judicial dispute resolution platform |
| Funding | Allocated under Mission Shakti, with ₹20 lakh released to pilot states (2023-24) |
The Nari Adalat Program is a community-driven legal support and grievance redressal mechanism that operates at the local level to empower women and ensure justice is accessible, affordable, and swift. Unlike conventional courts, Nari Adalats do not have formal legal standing but function as women-led alternative dispute resolution bodies that aim to settle conflicts through mutual dialogue.
The concept of Nari Adalat is based on women’s participation in justice delivery at the grassroots level. The idea is to empower women to mediate and resolve disputes within their communities without the need for prolonged legal battles. The program focuses on ensuring justice through non-adversarial means, emphasizing reconciliation over litigation.
The initiative aims to provide:
The Nari Adalat consists of 7 to 11 members, commonly referred to as ‘Nyaya Sakhis’. These members are nominated by the Gram Panchayat and are selected based on their active participation in social and legal advocacy.
The Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi (MNS) leads the Nari Adalat and oversees its operations. The tenure of the Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi is generally six months, after which a new leader is selected from among the Nyaya Sakhis.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) is the network of agencies implementing the Nari Adalat Program under Mission Shakti. The initiative was launched on a pilot basis in Assam and Jammu & Kashmir in 2023, with 50 Gram Panchayats in each state participating.
In 2023-24, the WCD Ministry allocated ₹20 lakh each to Assam and J&K for implementing the program. The government has now invited proposals from other states to expand this initiative.
The Gram Panchayats, in collaboration with local authorities and Common Service Centers (CSCs), provide logistical support. Funding for the initiative comes under Mission Shakti’s “Sambal” sub-scheme, which also includes:
The Ministry provides financial support to state governments to establish Nari Adalats in 10 Gram Panchayats per state and 5 per Union Territory.
The Nari Adalat Program differs from regular courts in several ways:
| Differentiation between Nari Adalat and Regular Courts | ||
| Feature | Nari Adalat | Regular Courts |
| Legal Status | No formal legal status focuses on mediation and negotiation | Legally binding judicial authority |
| Dispute Resolution | Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) through reconciliation | An adversarial system with legal proceedings |
| Time and Cost | Quick and free resolution at the local level | Time-consuming and expensive litigation |
| Accessibility | Localized justice within Gram Panchayats | Requires travel to the district or higher courts |
| Women-Centric | Run entirely by women for women | Mixed-gender judiciary and legal professionals |
| Members | Women from local communities (Nyaya Sakhis) | Judges and lawyers |
| Focus Area | Women’s disputes and grievances | Wide range of civil & criminal cases |
The focus on negotiation, mediation, and reconciliation ensures that disputes are resolved in a peaceable manner, reducing the burden on formal legal institutions.
The Nari Adalat Program is a key component of Mission Shakti, an umbrella scheme launched by the Government of India for women’s safety, security, and empowerment.
The Nari Adalat Program aims to empower women by providing a decentralized grievance redressal mechanism. It ensures gender justice and strengthens legal awareness at the grassroots level.
The program is funded under Mission Shakti, ensuring financial support for its implementation and expansion.
The funds are released by the Central Government to states through a State Nodal Account (SNA).
The Nari Adalat Program is expected to bring about significant social and legal transformations, including:
The Nari Adalat Program represents a significant step toward women’s empowerment and justice at the grassroots level. By providing an alternative grievance redressal mechanism, the initiative ensures that women can resolve their disputes quickly, efficiently, and affordably.
As the program continues to expand beyond Assam and Jammu & Kashmir, it has the potential to transform rural justice systems by making them more inclusive, accessible, and women-centric. Through the Mission Shakti framework, the Nari Adalat Program is set to become a cornerstone of grassroots justice and empowerment for women across India.
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