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Enhancing Meaningful Access To Justice In India: A People-Centred Justice Needs Assessment
Enhancing Meaningful Access To Justice In India: A People-Centred Justice Needs Assessment
February 17, 2026
Access to justice is a foundational pillar of democratic governance and sustainable development in India. Despite robust constitutional guarantees, many marginalised communities continue to face persistent barriers in accessing timely, fair, and meaningful justice.
The UNDP India report "Enhancing Meaningful Access to Justice in India: A People-Centred Justice Needs Assessment" presents a comprehensive, evidence-based and people-centred justice needs assessment grounded in the lived experiences of marginalised populations. Commissioned by UNDP India, the study positions access to justice as a critical enabler of SDG 16, with strong interlinkages to SDGs 5 and 10, and underscores the role of people-centred justice in advancing inclusive development.
Drawing on a mixed-methods research design, the report examines how individuals navigate formal and informal justice pathways, access legal information and aid, and experience fairness and effectiveness within the justice system. It analyses civil and criminal disputes, including environmental and climate-related conflicts and gender-based violence, through an intersectional lens across six Indian states, highlighting the justice experiences of women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, De-notified Tribes, religious minorities, transgender persons, people with disabilities, and migrant workers. The assessment identifies gaps between legal aid frameworks and on-ground delivery, recognises the intermediary role of civil society and community actors, and proposes actionable recommendations to strengthen legal aid, enhance legal awareness, build institutional capacities, and advance inclusive and gender-responsive justice systems.
