National Legal Services Day: Access to Justice for Every Citizen

Context

India is the world's largest democracy. Article 39A of our Constitution clearly states that the State shall ensure that no citizen is denied access to justice by reason of economic or other disability.

Establishment of the Legal Aid System

To realize the constitutional ideal of free legal aid, the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 was enacted under the guidance of Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, which came into effect on November 9, 1995. Since then, November 9 is celebrated every year as National Legal Services Day.

Access to Legal Aid

• By 2022-25, more than 44.22 lakh people received free legal aid.
• Lok Adalats resolved over 235.8 million cases expeditiously.
• Under the Disha Scheme (2021-2026), 21 million people were provided pre-litigation advice, free legal representation, and awareness by February 28, 2025.
• By 2022-25, 149.7 million people participated in over 138.3 million legal awareness programs.

A Strong Three-Tier Structure

The Legal Services Authorities Act has created a robust three-tier system in the country:

1. National Legal Services Authority (NALSA): Chaired by the Chief Justice.
2. State Legal Services Authority: Chaired by the Chief Justice of the High Court.
3. District Legal Services Authority: Chaired by the District Judge.

These are funded by the central, state, and donations. The number of people receiving legal aid has increased significantly over the past three years.

Lok Adalats: Extending Justice to the People

Lok Adalats are the most powerful means of conciliation. They resolved 235.8 million cases amicably by 2022-25. They expedite the resolution of both pending and pre-trial cases.

Special Schemes and Initiatives

• LADCS (Legal Aid Defense Counsel System): Operating in 668 districts. 786,000 out of 114.6 million cases resolved by September 2025. Budget: ₹998.43 crore.
• Tele-Law Service: Over 4.5 million free consultations at 1.3 million Common Service Centers.
• Nyay Bandhu App: Connects over 11,000 pro-bono lawyers with poor clients.
• Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC): 725 courts (including 392 POCSO), 334,000 cases resolved.
• Gram Nyayalayas: 488 operational by March 2025.
• Nari Adalats: Pilot projects in 16 states, with 50 panchayats each in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir.

Technology Support

• Disha Scheme Budget: ₹250 crore.
• Over 80,000 judgments translated into 18 Indian languages ​​under the e-Courts Mission.
• 56 TV programs on Doordarshan, 70.70 lakh viewers.
• 21 webinars on social media, reaching over 1 crore people.

Challenges

• 75% of people in rural areas are unaware of their entitlement to free legal aid.
• Only 20% of panel lawyers have formal training.
• Lack of legal aid clinics in 40% of district courts.
• Digital divide and over 4.5 crore pending cases.

The Way Forward

• A 25% increase in the NALSA budget is needed.
• Mandatory certification and continuing legal education for all panel lawyers.
• Expansion of AI-based translation, e-filing, and mobile helpdesks.
• Incorporating a legal literacy module into NEP 2020.
• Partnerships with law universities, bar councils, and private firms.

Conclusion: Justice is not a charity, it is a right.

The dream of a developed India 2047 will be realized only when even the last woman in the village, the tribal youth, and the poor laborer can seek justice without fear and without cost. National Legal Services Day reminds us that equality before the law is not a slogan, but a living reality; we just need to ensure that it reaches the last person in society.