Jammu Kashmir Rolls Out Digital Legal Services Platform for Citizens

SRINAGAR: The Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday presented its newly developed Citizen Centric Services platform to Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo.

The digital initiative, described as the first of its kind in the region, includes a comprehensive mobile application and a helpline designed to deliver a wide range of legal and administrative services to the public. The presentation was led by Secretary Law, Achal Sethi, in the presence of Secretary IT, Dr Piyush Singla, NIC State Informatics Officer JS Modi, and other officials.

The platform comprises ten distinct modules, each tailored to enhance transparency and legal accessibility. Key features include a Legal Aid and Advice Module, which allows citizens to connect with Legal Aid Counsels and Pro Bono Counsels, and access contact details of State and District Legal Services Authorities.

Citizens will be able to access Central and UT laws, rules, and notifications through links to the Law Department’s portal and the India Code website. Other notable features include digital services related to enrolment, welfare schemes, notary and oath commissioner details, government and standing counsels, and marriage and document registration under various laws.

The app also integrates a Legislative Affairs section offering contact details of MLAs, updates on legislative business, committee reports, and a provision for public feedback on draft legislation. A live stream link to legislative proceedings is also included.

Information on courts—ranging from the Supreme Court to District Courts—is embedded, offering real-time cause lists, case statuses, and landmark judgments. For aspiring legal professionals, the app includes a career guidance module with listings of National Law Universities and local institutions offering law degrees, along with application advice.

Citizens can also find registration-related resources, such as model templates, checklists, stamp vendor lists, and office locations. An AI-powered chatbot has been integrated for round-the-clock assistance on common legal queries, while a final module facilitates the filing of grievances and feedback with automated acknowledgement and response mechanisms.

Calling the platform a “milestone in public service delivery,” Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo praised its potential to serve as a model for the rest of the country. “This initiative reflects our commitment to legal empowerment and inclusive governance. It will transform legal aid into a truly accessible right for every citizen,” he said, urging departments to ensure coordinated and timely implementation.

The initiative, underpinned by a vision of digital inclusion, aims to strengthen institutional efficiency and promote equitable access to legal resources across Jammu and Kashmir.