With reference to National Legal Services Authority consider the following statements: 1. Its objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker section of the society on the basis of equal opportunity. 2. It issues guidelines for the State Legal Services Authorities to implement the legal programmes and schemes throughout the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents14
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct.
NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) was established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Statement 1 is correct — its primary objective is to provide free and competent legal services to weaker sections of society so that no one is denied justice due to economic or other disabilities.
Statement 2 is correct — NALSA acts as the apex body and issues guidelines, policies, and directions for the State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) to implement legal aid programmes and schemes throughout the country.
The Chief Justice of India is the Patron-in-Chief of NALSA.
NALSA ensures free legal aid reaches marginalized communities who cannot afford lawyers, making constitutional right to legal aid practical.
The Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 created a three-tier structure with NALSA at top, State Legal Services Authorities in middle, and District Legal Services Authorities at bottom.
UPSC tests whether students understand NALSA's dual role as both service provider and policy coordinator for the entire legal aid network.
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
Indian Polity National Legal Services Authority
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA): Structure & Functions
NALSA established under Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 as apex body for legal aid
Chief Justice of India is Patron-in-Chief of NALSA
Provides free legal services to weaker sections based on equal opportunity
Issues guidelines to State Legal Services Authorities for nationwide implementation
Constitutional Foundation
NALSA is the apex body established to ensure Article 39A of the Constitution is implemented — providing free legal aid to ensure justice is not denied due to economic disabilities. The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 created this institutional framework.
NALSA Organizational Structure
Level | Authority | Chairperson | Key Role |
|---|---|---|---|
National | NALSA | Chief Justice of India (Patron-in-Chief) | Policy formulation & guidelines |
State | SLSA | Chief Justice of High Court | State-level implementation |
District | DLSA | District Judge | Ground-level legal aid delivery |
Taluka/Sub-Division | TLSA | Sub-Divisional Magistrate | Local area coverage |
Core Functions & Objectives
Provide free and competent legal services to eligible persons under criteria specified in the Act
Organize Lok Adalats for speedy and informal resolution of disputes
Promote legal literacy and awareness programs in rural and urban areas
Monitor and evaluate legal aid programs across all levels
Develop innovative schemes for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms
Eligible Beneficiaries for Free Legal Aid
Category | Income Criteria/Details | Documents Required |
|---|---|---|
SC/ST | No income limit | Caste certificate |
Women & Children | No income limit for specific cases | Age/identity proof |
BPL Families | Below Poverty Line | BPL card |
General Category | Annual income below ₹9,000 (rural) / ₹12,000 (urban) | Income certificate |
Disabled Persons | No income limit | Disability certificate |
Question Context
This 2013 UPSC question tested both Statement 1 (objective of providing free legal services to weaker sections) and Statement 2 (issuing guidelines to State Legal Services Authorities) — both are correct core functions of NALSA.
Don't confuse NALSA with NHRC or other constitutional bodies — NALSA is specifically for legal aid
Remember Chief Justice of India is Patron-in-Chief, not the President or Prime Minister
NALSA is statutory body under 1987 Act, not a constitutional body like Election Commission
Both statements in this question type are often correct — don't assume one must be wrong
Legal Services Authorities Act 1987
Indian Polity Legal Services Authorities Act
Legal Services Authorities Act 1987: Framework & Provisions
Enacted in 1987 to implement Article 39A of Constitution on equal justice and free legal aid
Creates four-tier structure: National, State, District, and Taluka level authorities
Defines eligibility criteria for free legal aid and procedures for Lok Adalats
Constitutional Mandate
Article 39A under Directive Principles mandates the State to ensure equal justice and free legal aid. The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 operationalizes this constitutional obligation through institutional mechanisms.
Implementation Structure
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`****Article 39A** (Constitution)**
Constitutional mandate for equal justice & free legal aid`"]
s2["`****Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987****
Parliamentary legislation creating institutional framework`"]
s3["`****NALSA Formation****
Apex body established with CJI as Patron-in-Chief`"]
s4["`****State/District/Taluka Authorities****
Hierarchical implementation at all levels`"]
s5["`****Legal Aid Delivery****
Free services to eligible beneficiaries through advocates`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Key Provisions of the Act
Establishes National Legal Services Authority with Chief Justice of India as Patron-in-Chief
Creates State Legal Services Authorities chaired by Chief Justice of respective High Courts
Provides for District and Taluka Level Authorities for grassroots implementation
Defines Lok Adalats as alternative dispute resolution forums with legal sanctity
Specifies eligibility criteria and procedures for availing free legal aid services
Act was passed in 1987, not 1986 or 1988 — specific year often tested
Article 39A is the constitutional basis, not Article 21 (though both relate to justice)
Don't confuse with Consumer Protection Act or other legal framework acts of similar period
Lok Adalats & Alternative Dispute Resolution
Indian Polity
Lok Adalats: People's Courts for Speedy Justice
Lok Adalats are people's courts for voluntary settlement of disputes with legal sanctity
Awards of Lok Adalats are deemed civil court decrees — binding and non-appealable
Organized by Legal Services Authorities at National, State, and District levels
Concept & Legal Status
Lok Adalats (People's Courts) are alternative dispute resolution forums where cases are settled through voluntary compromise between parties. Awards have the same force as civil court decrees under Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Types of Lok Adalats
Type | Jurisdiction | Cases Handled | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
Regular Lok Adalats | Pending & pre-litigation cases | Civil, criminal compoundable offenses | Voluntary settlement only |
Permanent Lok Adalats | Public utility services disputes | Telecom, insurance, banking, transport | Mandatory before approaching consumer forum |
Mobile Lok Adalats | Remote areas | Land disputes, family matters | Brings justice to doorstep |
National Lok Adalats | Simultaneously across country | Motor accident claims, bank recovery | Single-day mass disposal events |
Advantages & Limitations
No court fees — reduces financial burden on litigants significantly
Speedy disposal — cases resolved in single sitting versus years in regular courts
Flexible procedures — no strict adherence to Evidence Act or CPC required
Limitation: Settlement requires mutual consent — no compulsive jurisdiction
Non-appealable awards provide finality but may concern some litigants
Lok Adalat awards are non-appealable — this finality is both advantage and limitation
Permanent Lok Adalats are different from regular ones — mandatory for public utility disputes
Don't confuse with Gram Nyayalayas which are regular courts at village level