Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987

The Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 is a milestone in our government commitment to equality before the law. It ensures that no citizen is denied justice because of poverty, illiteracy, or social disadvantage. Every year, November 9 is celebrated as National Legal Services Day to commemorate the enactment of this law, which came into effect on 9th November 1995.

The Legal Services Authorities Act created a nationwide framework to provide free and competent legal services to the poor, marginalized, and disadvantaged guaranteeing that justice is not a privilege but a fundamental right. It means government implementing Article 39A, one of the most important Directive Principles of State Policy that ensures “Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid”

Objectives of the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987

The Act aims to:

• Provide free and competent legal aid to those who cannot afford it.
• Ensure equal access to justice for all citizens.
• Promote legal awareness across all sections of society.
• Establish Lok Adalats and Permanent Lok Adalats for quick and amicable resolution of disputes.
• Encourage alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to reduce the burden on courts.

Three-Tier Legal Aid Structure in India

To make legal aid accessible at all levels, the Act established a three-tier structure:

Level	Institution	Headed By	Function
National	National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)	Chief Justice of India	Oversees and coordinates all legal aid activities nationwide
State	State Legal Services Authorities (SLSA)	Chief Justice of the High Court	Implements schemes and organizes legal awareness programmes
District	District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA)	District Judge	Provides local-level legal assistance and conducts Lok Adalats

Key Achievements (2022–2025)

Initiative	Beneficiaries / Cases Resolved
Free Legal Aid & Advice	44.22 lakh people
Cases Resolved via Lok Adalats	23.58 crore cases
People Benefited through DISHA Scheme	2.10 crore individuals
Legal Awareness Programmes Conducted	13.83 lakh sessions
Total Participants in Awareness Drives	14.96 crore citizens

How to Apply for Free Legal Aid

Eligible individuals can apply through multiple methods:

1. Offline Application: Submit a written request or oral application (assisted by a paralegal volunteer).
2. Online Application: Visit nalsa.gov.in or the respective State Legal Services Authority website.
3. Tracking Applications: Applicants receive updates via postal mail, email, or online application number.

Applications are processed within seven days as per Regulation 7(2) of the NALSA (Free and Competent Legal Services) Regulations, 2010.

Lok Adalats – Justice Through Conciliation

The Act also institutionalized Lok Adalats as alternative forums for quick, affordable dispute resolution.
Between 2022–2025, Lok Adalats (State, Permanent, and National) settled 23.58 crore cases, demonstrating India’s growing preference for amicable settlement over lengthy litigation.

Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS)

To provide criminal defense support to those who cannot afford lawyers, the LADCS Scheme was launched under NALSA.

• Active in 668 districts (as of September 2025)
• 7.86 lakh cases disposed between 2023–25
• Total Outlay: ₹998.43 crore (FY 2023–26)

This system ensures that every accused, irrespective of financial status, receives fair representation in court.

DISHA: Digital Legal Empowerment (2021–2026)

The Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) scheme uses technology to make justice accessible to remote and marginalized populations.

• Outlay: ₹250 crore
• People Benefited: 2.10 crore
• Services: Pre-litigation advice, pro bono representation, and legal awareness

This program strengthens India’s “Digital Justice” movement by bringing legal help to every mobile screen.

Gender and Caste Representation in Tele-Law (as of June 2025)

Category	Cases Registered	% Share
Female	44.81 lakh	39.6%
Male	68.39 lakh	60.4%
General	26.89 lakh	23.8%
OBC	35.64 lakh	31.5%
SC	35.27 lakh	31.2%
ST	15.39 lakh	13.6%

This data reflects the inclusive nature of India’s legal services system.

Legal Awareness and Training Initiatives

• 13.83 lakh awareness programmes held across India (2022–25)
• 14.96 crore participants educated on legal rights
• Doordarshan aired 56 legal awareness TV episodes in 6 languages
• NALSA and State Legal Services Authorities trained thousands of paralegal volunteers (PLVs) and panel lawyers

These initiatives bridge the gap between law and citizens, making justice accessible in regional languages and rural areas.

Fast Track & Special Courts

India has strengthened judicial delivery through specialized courts:

• 865 Fast Track Courts (FTCs) operational as of June 2025
• 725 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) including 392 exclusive POCSO courts
• 3.34 lakh sexual offence cases disposed since inception
• Funded under the Nirbhaya Fund with a total outlay of ₹1,952.23 crore (extended till March 2026)

These courts ensure speedy justice, especially for women and children.

Grassroots Justice: Gram Nyayalayas and Nari Adalats

• 488 Gram Nyayalayas are active across India (as of March 2025), resolving local disputes efficiently.
• Nari Adalats, operating under Mission Shakti, empower women to seek justice at the Gram Panchayat level through mediation and negotiation.

They symbolize India’s vision of justice from village to courtroom.

For Aspirants

The Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 stands as a cornerstone of India’s inclusive justice system. It ensures that every citizen regardless of caste, gender, or economic status — has the right to free legal aid and quick justice.

For aspirants preparing for APPSC, UPSC, SSC, or judicial exams, understanding this Act is vital, as it reflects:

• The evolution of India’s judicial reforms,
• The structure of legal aid institutions, and
• The principle of access to justice for all, a key constitutional value.

By studying this Act, aspirants grasp how law translates into action — strengthening democracy at its roots.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Source: PIB