Scheme for Action Research and Studies on Judicial Reforms
Funding for judicial reform research · academics & institutions India
This central government scheme funds research, seminars, and capacity-building activities focused on judicial reforms and legal delivery in India. Eligible institutions — including IIMs, National Law Universities, and the National Judicial Academy — can receive up to ₹25 lakh per research project. Applications are not open to the public; the Department of Justice identifies and invites institutions to submit proposals.
About This Scheme
This central government scheme funds research, seminars, and capacity-building activities focused on judicial reforms and legal delivery in India. Eligible institutions — including IIMs, National Law Universities, and the National Judicial Academy — can receive up to ₹25 lakh per research project. Applications are not open to the public; the Department of Justice identifies and invites institutions to submit proposals.
Full official description
Launched in 26th September 2013, the "Scheme for Action Research and Studies on Judicial Reforms" by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Govt. of India, aims to promote research and studies on issues related to the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms being implemented by the Department of Justice. 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 limited to a maximum ceiling of ₹25,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty-Five Lakhs), although the Project Sanctioning Committee may relax this ceiling in exceptional cases involving large scope, sample size, or project duration.
Benefits
- Up to ₹25 lakh per project (ceiling may be relaxed for large-scope or multi-site projects)
- Covers research studies, evaluation studies, monitoring studies, and publications
- Funds seminars, conferences, workshops, and innovative programme promotion
- Disbursed in instalments; at least 10% of project cost released only after final report acceptance
💡 Why Startups Should Care
For legal-tech entrepreneurs or justice-sector researchers, this scheme funds the kind of applied research that could surface genuine gaps in judicial processes — insights that could seed a legal-tech solution.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a recognised institution working in justice delivery, legal education/research, or judicial reforms
- Eligible organisations include IIMs, National Law Universities, National Judicial Academy, State Judicial Academies, Indian Law Institute, IIPA, NCAER, and Administrative Staff College of India
- Government or government-aided institutions may also be considered if approved by the Project Sanctioning Committee
- Proposals are invited by the Department of Justice — not open for unsolicited applications
How to Apply
- Watch for the invitation for project proposals from the National Mission for Justice Delivery.
- Prepare a project proposal indicating project cost and title.
- Include details of the institution and research team.
- Submit the proposal during the call window.
- On approval, funding is disbursed for the research/study activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an institution categorized as a Government aided Institute or Organisation potentially eligible to submit a project proposal for financial support?
Yes, a Government aided Institute or Organisation may be allowed as an eligible implementing agency if the Project Sanctioning Committee finds the organization suitable for the permissible project or activity.
What specific criteria must a Government or Government aided entity meet, beyond its institutional classification, to undertake a permissible activity?
Such an entity must be found suitable for undertaking the specific project or activity permissible under the scheme by the Project Sanctioning Committee.
Are academic bodies specializing in legal studies, specifically those designated as National Law Universities, permitted to apply for this type of research assistance?
Yes, the guidelines explicitly list National Law Universities among the eligible implementing agencies that can receive financial assistance.
Is the Indian Law Institute, which focuses specifically on advanced legal research, considered one of the designated bodies eligible for this funding scheme?
Yes, the Indian Law Institute is explicitly named in the guidelines as an eligible implementing agency.
If my institution specializes in delivering justice-related services or research, does that expertise qualify us to become an implementing agency for the project?
Yes, any other reputed institution working in the specific field of justice delivery is considered an eligible implementing agency.
Must institutions working in the relevant fields wait for an official communication before they can submit their detailed project proposals for consideration?
Yes, Project Proposals must be invited by the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, Department of Justice, from selected implementing agencies for identified subjects.
Which specific institutions focused on policy and administration research are identified in the guidelines as eligible implementing agencies for this funding?
The Indian Institute of Public Administration is explicitly named as an eligible implementing agency authorized to receive financial assistance.
Are institutions that focus on applied economic research, such as the National Council of Applied Economic Research, considered suitable for funding opportunities?
Yes, the National Council of Applied Economic Research is named in the guidelines as an eligible implementing agency.
Can institutions that are widely recognized for their efforts in judicial reforms submit applications to become eligible implementing agencies for this scheme?
Yes, other reputed institutions working directly in the field of judicial reforms are eligible implementing agencies under the scheme.
If an institution is renowned for its contributions to legal education and general research, does that qualify it to submit a proposal for financial assistance?
Yes, other reputed institutions working in the specific field of legal education and research are considered eligible implementing agencies.
Can certain Government Institutes or Organisations be considered eligible entities for undertaking projects under the scope of this particular scheme?
Yes, the Project Sanctioning Committee is empowered to allow any Government Institute or Organisation to be an eligible implementing agency if they are deemed suitable for the permissible project or activity.
Are prestigious management schools, specifically Indian Institute/s of Management, included among the institutions that can apply for project funding?
Yes, Indian Institute/s of Management are specifically listed as eligible implementing agencies under the scheme guidelines.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Project proposal indicating project cost
- Title of the project
- Name of the institution and research team