Tele-Law Scheme (Free Citizen Legal Advice)

The Tele-Law Scheme is a visionary digital justice initiative administered by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, in active partnership with the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and CSC e-Governance Services India. Operating across all 700+ districts in India, Tele-Law ensures 'Justice for All' by connecting marginalized, rural, and underprivileged citizens directly to seasoned panel lawyers through video conferencing and telephony for 100% free, expert pre-litigation legal counsel.

Navigating complex legal disputes and hiring private advocates is prohibitively expensive for common citizens, often resulting in prolonged exploitation. Through the Tele-Law portal (tele-law.in), the Tele-Law Citizen Mobile App, and over 5,00,000 Gram Panchayat Common Service Centres (CSCs), citizens can book video appointments with qualified advocates. The scheme provides timely guidance on land and property disputes, domestic violence, marital maintenance, inheritance, consumer fraud, wage non-payment, FIR registration, and fundamental civil rights.

Comprehensive citizen entitlements under the Tele-Law scheme include: 1. Equal Access to Top Legal Minds: Connect with experienced High Court and District Court panel advocates without traveling to cities or paying expensive consultation fees. 2. 100% Confidential Legal Opinion: Get honest, unbiased assessments on the strength of your case, applicable legal sections (IPC/BNS, CrPC/BNSS, Civil Code), and exact administrative remedies. 3. Free Representation for Court Trials: If a matter requires formal courtroom litigation, eligible citizens are seamlessly referred to District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA) for free government-appointed court advocates. 4. Comprehensive Legal Coverage: • Women & Family Issues: Domestic abuse, divorce, dowry harassment, child custody, and maintenance under Section 125. • Property & Land: Encroachment, partition, inheritance rights, illegal tenancy, and mutation delays. • Labor & Employment: Unpaid wages, wrongful termination, gratuity denial, and construction site accidents. • Civil & Criminal: Police refusal to file FIR, cyber fraud, bouncing cheques, and consumer court claims. 5. Zero Financial Burden: Free for all marginalized citizens (nominal fee of just ₹30 for general non-exempt categories).

Eligibility for 100% FREE legal advice under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987: • Women, Teenage Girls, and Children (under 18 years). • Members of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). • Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings or Beggary. • Persons with Disabilities (PwD / Divyangjan) and Mentally ill persons. • Victims of mass disasters, ethnic violence, caste atrocities, flood, earthquake, or industrial accidents. • Unorganized sector laborers and agricultural workers. • Persons in custody or undertrials in jails. • Low-Income / BPL citizens (as per State Legal Services income ceiling norms, typically family income <= ₹3 Lakh/year). • General Citizens: All other citizens can avail the service for a nominal fee of just ₹30.

Keep these simple details ready when booking an appointment: 1. Aadhaar Card (for identity verification). 2. Any relevant dispute documents (registry deed, police complaint copy, notice, or rent agreement). 3. BPL Card / Caste Certificate / Disability Certificate (if claiming free service under Section 12). 4. Active Mobile Number.

• Aadhaar Card or valid Government Photo ID
• Relevant legal/case papers, police complaint copies, or property notices (if available)
• Category / BPL / Disability Certificate (for claiming 100% free consultation under Section 12)
• Active Mobile Number for receiving appointment SMS and lawyer callback

Booking a free Tele-Law lawyer consultation takes 3 minutes: Method 1 — Through Local Common Service Centre (CSC) in your Village: Step 1: Walk into your nearest village CSC center or Gram Panchayat. Step 2: The Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) or Para-Legal Volunteer (PLV) enters your name, mobile number, and dispute category on tele-law.in. Step 3: Select an available date and time slot for your video conference with a panel lawyer. Step 4: Join the live video call at the CSC on the scheduled date. Explain your issue, receive clear legal guidance, and get a printed Legal Advice Summary. Method 2 — Directly through Tele-Law Mobile App (From Home): Download the 'Tele-Law: Citizen' mobile app from Google Play Store. Register with your mobile OTP, choose your language, describe your legal query, upload photos of documents, book an appointment, and receive a direct video/phone consultation with a government panel lawyer.

Tele-Law services are available 365 days a year across all Indian states and Union Territories. Lawyers are available for consultations Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

• Believing that only rich people can afford legal advice (Tele-Law is 100% free for women, SC/ST, and low-income families). • Waiting until a false case is filed before seeking legal advice (pre-litigation advice prevents costly mistakes and procedural delays). • Paying unauthorized fees to local middlemen (the service is free at CSCs for eligible citizens). • Not carrying relevant property papers or notices during the video consultation.

Download the 'Tele-Law: Citizen' app on your smartphone or visit your local CSC. Keep your property papers or notices organized so the lawyer can review them quickly during your video session.

The Tele-Law Scheme brings justice to the doorstep of every Indian citizen. By harnessing digital video conferencing and free panel advocates, Tele-Law empowers poor and vulnerable families to defend their legal rights, resolve disputes peacefully, and access affordable justice.

Facts on this page are based on the official documents and portals below. Rules can change, so confirm the latest position on the official source before applying.

1. Tele-Law Mainstreaming Legal Aid Guidelines — Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice (2024-01-01)