Launched in December 2019 by the Law Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, the YSR Law Nestham scheme provides a monthly stipend of ₹5,000/- to eligible junior advocates. This initiative is aimed at supporting young law graduates—who have passed out in 2016 or later—to pursue their practice by easing their initial financial burdens. The scheme ensures that only those advocates whose names are maintained in the rolls of the Andhra Pradesh State Bar Council under Section 17 of the Advocates Act, 1961, can benefit.
Benefits
- Monthly Stipend:
A fixed monthly stipend of ₹5,000/- is provided to each eligible junior advocate. - Duration:
The assistance is available for the first three years of practice. - Financial Stability:
Helps ease the financial challenges faced by new law graduates as they establish their legal careers.
Eligibility
To qualify for the YSR Law Nestham scheme, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Residency:
Must be a resident/domicile of Andhra Pradesh. - Educational Qualification:
Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. - Year of Graduation:
Only law graduates who passed out in 2016 or later are eligible. - Bar Council Registration:
The applicant’s name must be entered in the rolls of Advocates maintained by the Andhra Pradesh State Bar Council under Section 17 of the Advocates Act, 1961. - Experience:
The applicant should be a practicing junior advocate who has not exceeded the first three years of practice as of the date of issuance of the Government Order. - Age Limit:
The junior advocate should not exceed 35 years as of the date of issuance of the Government Order. - Family Benefit:
This is a “one family, one benefit” scheme, where “family” includes husband, wife, and their children. - Exclusions:
- Applicants who have completed more than three years of practice are not eligible.
- Advocates possessing four-wheelers in their name are disqualified.
- Non-practicing advocates cannot apply.
Application Process
Online Application Process
- Registration:
- Visit the official website.
- Register by creating an account with the required details.
- Upload the prescribed certificates as per the application format.
- Verification and Submission:
- Once registered, the application is forwarded to Village/Ward volunteers via the Village Secretariat/Commissioner of Municipality and Municipal Corporation by the Collector.
- The genuineness of the application is verified by the Municipal Commissioner (in Urban Areas) or MPDO (in Rural Areas) with approval from the Collector.
- The approved application is then uploaded to the CFMS database portal and displayed at the Village/Ward Secretariat for social audit.
Method of Payment
- The details of all eligible beneficiaries are entered in the CFMS Portal.
- The Law Department consolidates a bill for all approved beneficiaries and submits it to the Treasury for verification.
- Payment is arranged through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the beneficiary’s bank account.
- Upon successful credit, a Village/Ward volunteer delivers the “payment receipt” along with a message from the Hon’ble Chief Minister.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Residential Certificate/Domicile Certificate
- Marksheet/Passing Certificate of Bachelor’s Degree in Law
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Age/Date of Birth
- Passport-sized Photograph
- Bank Account Details
- Affidavit:
Attested by a Senior Advocate with at least 15 years of practice or by the concerned Bar Association/presiding officer of the court, submitted every six months confirming active practice. - Certificate of Practice:
Issued after clearing the Bar examination by the Bar Council of India (to be submitted after enrollment into the scheme). - Undertaking:
An undertaking that the advocate will notify the registering authority online if they leave the profession or become gainfully employed elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the maximum amount of financial assistance available?
A1: The scheme provides a monthly stipend of ₹5,000/- for up to three years.
Q2: What is the duration of the stipend?
A2: The stipend is available for the first three years of practice.
Q3: Which department manages the scheme?
A3: The scheme is managed by the Law Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Q4: Is it mandatory to be in the rolls of the Andhra Pradesh State Bar Council?
A4: Yes, the applicant must be registered under Section 17 of the Advocates Act, 1961, with the Andhra Pradesh State Bar Council.
Q5: Who can apply for this scheme?
A5: Only law graduates who passed out in 2016 or later and are practicing junior advocates in Andhra Pradesh are eligible.
Q6: Can I apply if I graduated in 2019?
A6: Yes, graduates from 2016 onward (including 2019) are eligible.
Q7: How many family members can benefit from the scheme?
A7: This is a “one family, one benefit” scheme, meaning only one benefit per family is provided.
Q8: Are there any age-related criteria?
A8: The applicant should not exceed 35 years as of the date of issuance of the Government Order.
Q9: What is the monthly stipend for junior advocates who have not yet completed three years of practice?
A9: They receive ₹5,000/- per month for the remaining period until they complete three years of practice.
Q10: Can a domicile of Telangana apply for this scheme?
A10: No, only residents/domiciles of Andhra Pradesh are eligible.
Q11: How is the financial assistance disbursed?
A11: Assistance is disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the beneficiary’s bank account after verification and approval by the relevant authorities.