Subject: Social Justice

Access to justice and legal aid are fundamental to ensuring social equity as highlighted in Article 39A of the Indian Constitution which emphasizes the state's duty to provide free legal aid to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.

Categories Entitled to Free Legal Aid

• Women and Children: All women and children, regardless of their economic status, are eligible for free legal assistance.

• Economic Criteria: Persons with annual income less than the prescribed limit (currently Rs. 3 lakh) are entitled to free legal services.

• Marginalized Groups:

  • Members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  • Victims of human trafficking and forced labor.
  • Persons with disabilities.
  • Industrial workmen and persons in custody.
  • Victims of mass disaster, ethnic violence, or natural calamities.

Role of NALSA in Providing Legal Aid

1. Extensive Outreach and Impact:

• Successfully provided legal services to 39.44 lakh individuals from 2022-23 to December 2024.
• Implementation of DISHA scheme (2021-2026) targeting 2.1 crore beneficiaries by February 2025.

2. Multi-dimensional Approach:

• Organizing Lok Adalats for alternative dispute resolution.
• Running legal awareness programs and literacy camps.
• Providing legal consultation and representation in courts.

3. Institutional Framework:

• Coordination with State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs).
• Training and capacity building of para-legal volunteers.
• Monitoring quality of legal services through regular reviews.

4. Innovation and Modernization:

• Digital initiatives for easy access to legal services.
• Implementation of LADCS scheme (2023-24 to 2025-26) for expanding reach.
• Integration of technology for efficient service delivery.

The Supreme Court's recent judgments (2023-2025) reinforcing legal aid as a fundamental right under Articles 21 and 39A have strengthened NALSA's mandate. The organization continues to play a crucial role in ensuring "Access to Justice for All" as envisioned in SDG 16, through its comprehensive approach and expanding outreach programs.