Government body unveils legal support scheme for soldiers' families
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In a landmark move aimed at easing the domestic burdens of India’s armed forces, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has launched the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025.
It is a nationwide scheme that will proactively provide legal aid to families of soldiers and paramilitary personnel serving in remote and high-risk areas.
The programme was officially launched today at a conference in Srinagar by Justice Surya Kant, Executive Chairman of NALSA and the incoming Chief Justice of India. In attendance were Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
This marks the first time in Indian history that legal assistance will be extended automatically to the families of defence personnel, without them having to apply for support. The scheme is designed to lift the legal burden off the shoulders of soldiers stationed in isolated locations, who are often unable to attend to family disputes, land ownership issues, or civil litigation due to their service commitments.
The idea behind the initiative traces its roots back to Operation Sindoor. According to sources familiar with the matter, Justice Surya Kant was moved by the personal sacrifices made by the armed forces during the operation and began envisioning ways the judiciary could directly support their families.
“The legal fraternity must do its part to ensure that soldiers defending the country are not left alone to handle personal legal crises,” Justice Kant is said to have remarked.
Through the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana, NALSA will ensure legal representation in courts across the country on behalf of soldiers, enabling them to focus on national duty without the added stress of unresolved legal matters back home. This includes cases related to property disputes, marital issues, or land rights that otherwise require physical presence or constant legal follow-up.
The scheme will also cover paramilitary personnel serving under the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and other forces deployed in similarly challenging conditions.
With this initiative, the message from India’s legal system is clear: “You serve the country at the borders, we will take care of your family at home.”
