Scheme for Action Research and Studies on Judicial Reforms
The Scheme for Action Research and Studies on Judicial Reforms, launched on 26 September 2013 by the Department of Justice, funds research, evaluation studies, seminars, capacity building and publications on justice delivery and judicial reforms. Financial assistance is capped at Rs 25,00,000 per project. It is open only to named institutions invited to submit proposals, not to individuals.
| Ministry | Ministry of Law and Justice |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Financial assistance up to Rs 25,00,000 per project for research, studies, seminars, capacity building and publications on judicial reforms |
| Maximum benefit | Rs 25,00,000 |
| Application mode | By invitation (project proposals from selected institutions) |
| Helpline | 011-24303714 (myScheme helpdesk, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM) |
| Official website | https://doj.gov.in/ |
What is the Scheme for Action Research and Studies on Judicial Reforms?
The Scheme for Action Research and Studies on Judicial Reforms was launched on 26 September 2013 by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice. According to the scheme details, its purpose is to promote research and studies on issues connected with the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, which the Department of Justice implements.
The scheme provides financial assistance for undertaking action research, evaluation studies, monitoring studies, capacity building, publishing reports and promoting innovative programmes in the areas of justice delivery, legal research and judicial reforms. Financial assistance is subject to an overall ceiling of Rs 25,00,000 (Rupees twenty-five lakh) per project, although the Project Sanctioning Committee may relax this ceiling in exceptional cases involving a large scope, sample size or project duration.
This is an institutional research-funding scheme, not a personal benefit. It is important to understand that from the outset: there is no application form for a citizen, a lawyer, a litigant or a student. The scheme works through invited project proposals from a defined list of institutions, and funding flows to the grantee institution, not to any individual.
Key features of the scheme
- Launched on 26 September 2013 by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice.
- Supports the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms.
- Funds research, evaluation and monitoring studies, seminars and conferences, capacity building, publications, and innovative programmes.
- Financial assistance capped at Rs 25,00,000 per project, relaxable in exceptional cases.
- Open only to named institutions, by invitation, not to individuals.
Who is eligible for the Scheme for Action Research and Studies on Judicial Reforms?
Eligible applicants are limited to specified institutions. The scheme lists the following as eligible:
- Indian Institute of Public Administration
- Administrative Staff College of India
- Indian Institutes of Management
- Indian Law Institute
- National Law Universities
- National Council of Applied Economic Research
- National Judicial Academy
- State Judicial Academies
The institution must be working in one of these fields: justice delivery; legal education and research; or judicial reforms. In addition, a government institute or organisation, or a government-aided institute or organisation, may be allowed to apply if the Project Sanctioning Committee finds it suitable for undertaking a project permissible under the scheme.
Who cannot apply: individual citizens, researchers, advocates, law students and NGOs cannot apply for a personal grant. The scheme is not an open, first-come funding line: institutions are selected and invited by the Department of Justice, so an eligible institution also cannot simply file a proposal unsolicited; it is invited to do so for an identified subject.
What the scheme funds
According to the scheme, financial assistance is extended for:
- Action research, evaluation studies and monitoring studies in justice delivery, legal research and judicial reforms.
- Seminars, conferences and workshops on relevant subjects.
- Capacity building for research and monitoring activities.
- Publication of reports or material.
- Promotion of innovative programmes or activities in justice delivery, legal research and judicial reforms.
How is the financial assistance released?
The financial assistance is given on agreed terms and conditions based on the project proposal submitted by the eligible implementing agency, and is limited strictly to the actual expenditure incurred by the grantee institution. The scheme sets out the following disbursal conditions:
- Assistance may be given in instalments.
- At least 10% of the project cost is kept for payment as the final instalment.
- The final instalment is paid only upon acceptance of the final project report by the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, Department of Justice.
- Each instalment is released only upon the approval of the Integrated Finance Division of the Ministry of Law and Justice.
What documents are required?
| Document | Mandatory | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Project proposal | Yes | Objectives, methodology, timelines and a full cost breakdown |
| Institutional eligibility proof | Yes | Proof the applicant is an eligible institution in the relevant field |
| Financial and expenditure statements | Yes | Assistance is limited to actual expenditure incurred |
How to apply for the Scheme for Action Research and Studies on Judicial Reforms
The scheme does not follow an open application system. The process, as set out in the scheme guidelines, works entirely through invited institutional proposals:
- Invitation for proposals, the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, Department of Justice, identifies subjects and invites selected implementing agencies (from the eligible institutions) to submit proposals.
- Preparation and submission of the proposal — the selected institution prepares a comprehensive project proposal setting out the objectives, methodology, detailed timelines and a full breakdown of the estimated cost, and submits it to the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms.
- Consideration by the Project Sanctioning Committee: all proposals are placed before the Project Sanctioning Committee. When the Committee considers a proposal from the Indian Law Institute or the National Judicial Academy, the Directors of those bodies recuse themselves. The Committee's decision is final and binding.
- Financial approval and release: after the Committee's approval, the proposal goes to the Integrated Finance Division of the Ministry of Law and Justice, and the assistance is released in instalments against actual expenditure.
Help and where to check details
Because this is an institution-facing scheme run by invitation, the point of contact is the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, through its portal at doj.gov.in, and specifically the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms. Individuals looking for a personal legal-aid or research benefit should note that this scheme is not for them; free legal aid for citizens is provided separately through the Legal Services Authorities, not through this research-funding scheme. General queries about the scheme listing can be raised with the myScheme helpdesk at 011-24303714 (9:00 AM to 5:30 PM).
Documents required
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does the Judicial Reforms research scheme provide?
The scheme provides financial assistance up to a maximum ceiling of Rs 25,00,000 (Rupees twenty-five lakh) per project. The Project Sanctioning Committee may relax this ceiling in exceptional cases involving a large scope, sample size or project duration. Assistance is limited strictly to the actual expenditure incurred by the grantee institution.
Who is eligible for the Scheme for Action Research and Studies on Judicial Reforms?
Only named institutions are eligible — the Indian Institute of Public Administration, the Administrative Staff College of India, the Indian Institutes of Management, the Indian Law Institute, National Law Universities, the National Council of Applied Economic Research, the National Judicial Academy and State Judicial Academies — working in justice delivery, legal education and research, or judicial reforms.
Can an individual apply for this scheme?
No. There is no individual application. The scheme does not follow an open application system; the Department of Justice identifies subjects and invites selected institutions to submit project proposals. Individual researchers, lawyers and students cannot apply for a personal grant.
What does the scheme fund?
The scheme funds action research, evaluation studies and monitoring studies; seminars, conferences and workshops; capacity building for research and monitoring; the publication of reports and material; and the promotion of innovative programmes in justice delivery, legal research and judicial reforms.
How is the financial assistance released?
The assistance is released in instalments on agreed terms based on the approved project proposal, limited to actual expenditure. At least 10% of the project cost is kept for the final instalment, which is paid only after the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms accepts the final report. Each instalment needs the approval of the Integrated Finance Division.
When was the scheme launched and who runs it?
The scheme was launched on 26 September 2013 by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice. It supports the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms. Proposals are decided by a Project Sanctioning Committee, and the official portal is doj.gov.in.
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