Scheme for Action Research and Studies on Judicial Reforms

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.

• Financial Assistance: Financial assistance shall be extended for undertaking action research, evaluation studies, and monitoring studies.- Support for Events: Financial assistance shall be extended for organizing seminars, conferences, and workshops.- Capacity Building: Financial assistance shall be extended for undertaking capacity building activity for research and monitoring activities.- Publication Support: Financial assistance shall be extended for undertaking publication of reports or material.- Programme Promotion: Financial assistance shall be extended for undertaking promotion of innovative programmes or activities in the areas of Justice Delivery, Legal Research, and Judicial Reforms.- Project Limit: The financial assistance is subject to an overall ceiling of ₹25,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty-Five Lakhs).

Disbursal Conditions

*The financial assistance shall be given on agreed terms and conditions based on the Project Proposal submitted by the eligible implementing agency.
*The assistance would be limited strictly to the actual expenditure incurred by the grantee institution.
*The financial assistance may be given in instalments.
*At least 10% of the project cost may be kept for payment as the final instalment.
*The final instalment is paid upon acceptance of the final project report by the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, Department of Justice.
*Each instalment shall be released upon the approval of the Integrated Finance Division of the Ministry of Law and Justice.

1. The institution must be one of the following:

• Indian Institute of Public Administration.
• Administrative Staff College of India.
• Indian Institute/s of Management.
• Indian Law Institute.
• National Law University.
• National Council of Applied Economic Research.
• National Judicial Academy.
• State Judicial Academy.

1. The institution must be working in one of the following fields:

• Justice Delivery.
• Legal Education and Research.
• Judicial Reforms.

Relaxation and Inclusion

• The applicant may be a Government Institute or Organisation if allowed by the Project Sanctioning Committee.
• The applicant may be a Government aided Institute or Organisation if allowed by the Project Sanctioning Committee.
• The applicant, if a Government or Government aided Institute/Organisation, must be found suitable for undertaking the project or activity permissible under the scheme by the Project Sanctioning Committee.

Offline

Step 1: Invitation for Project Proposals

• The National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, Department of Justice, selects and invites implementing agencies to submit project proposals for subjects that have been identified by the Department.
• This scheme does not follow an open application system but rather focuses on proposals from pre-selected or identified institutes and organisations.

Step 2: Preparation and Submission of the Project Proposal

• The selected implementing agency is required to prepare a comprehensive Project Proposal detailing the terms and conditions of the project, including the objectives, methodology, detailed duration with specific timelines, and a full breakdown of the estimated project cost.
• This complete Project Proposal must be submitted to the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, Department of Justice.

Step 3: Consideration and Final Decision by the Project Sanctioning Committee

• All Project Proposals received from the selected institutes and organisations on the identified subjects are systematically placed before the Project Sanctioning Committee for detailed consideration and subsequent approval.
• It is mandated that when the Project Sanctioning Committee deliberates on proposals from the Indian Law Institute or the National Judicial Academy, the Directors of those respective entities shall recuse themselves from the committee's discussions.
• The decision reached by the Project Sanctioning Committee regarding the proposal shall be considered final and binding on all parties.

Step 4: Financial Approval and Release of Instalments

• Following the approval by the Project Sanctioning Committee, the Project Proposals are then submitted to the Integrated Finance Division of the Ministry of Law and Justice for final approval of the project and authorization to release the necessary funds.
• Subsequent financial assistance, which may be given in instalments, shall only be released upon obtaining the explicit approval of the Integrated Finance Division for each specific payment.

Step 5: Project Execution and Compliance

• The implementing agency executes the project activity, utilizing the financial assistance received, which is strictly limited to covering the actual expenditure incurred by the grantee institution.
• Throughout the project, the implementing agency is required to adhere to the duration and specific timelines laid out in the approved Project Proposal for activities such as submitting an interim progress report and making presentations before the submission of the final report.

Step 6: Submission of Documentation and Final Payment

• Upon completion of the project, the implementing agency is required to submit a Utilisation Certificate for the funds received, following the format prescribed by the Department of Justice.
• The final payment, which constitutes at least 10% of the total project cost, will be released only upon the official acceptance of the final project report by the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms, Department of Justice.