Why in news?
The India Justice Report 2025 highlighted that only about 1.55 million people received legal aid during 2023–24 even though roughly four‑fifths of India’s population qualifies for assistance. This shortfall drew attention to the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and its ability to fulfil the constitutional mandate of providing free and competent legal help to those who cannot afford it.
Background and history
India’s Constitution, through Article 39A introduced by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, directs the state to ensure that justice is not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities. To give effect to this idea, Parliament passed the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987. The National Legal Services Authority was formally constituted in 1995 with the Chief Justice of India as its Patron‑in‑Chief. State and district legal services authorities work under NALSA’s guidance and provide services through Lok Adalats, legal aid clinics and para‑legal volunteers.
What does NALSA do?
- NALSA lays down policies and principles for providing free legal services nationwide and funds state and district legal services authorities.
- It organises Lok Adalats and mediation camps to settle disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
- NALSA develops special schemes for vulnerable groups such as Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, women, children, persons with disabilities, prisoners and victims of disasters.
- The authority trains para‑legal volunteers and runs legal literacy clubs in schools and colleges to spread awareness of rights and responsibilities.
Challenges
- Funding is limited. Legal aid accounts for less than one per cent of the justice sector budget and NALSA’s funds declined from ₹207 crore in 2017–18 to ₹169 crore in 2022–23.
- Even the allocated money is not fully spent because legal services authorities must seek permission for small expenses and have little flexibility in spending.
- The network of para‑legal volunteers is shrinking and many are paid stipends below minimum wage, which reduces outreach in rural areas.
- Legal aid clinics are sparse—there may be only one clinic for more than a hundred villages—and public trust in free legal counsel remains low because recipients often feel the services are inferior to private lawyers.
Way forward
- Governments should allocate a higher share of the justice budget—about two to three per cent—for legal aid and allow legal services authorities flexibility in spending.
- Para‑legal volunteers should receive fair honorariums and regular training so that more people are willing to serve in remote areas.
- Decision‑making should be decentralised. District legal services authorities could be empowered to hire staff and organise outreach without lengthy approvals.
- A digital portal that tracks cases handled, beneficiaries reached and funds used can make the system transparent and accountable.
- Successful schemes like the Legal Aid Defence Counsel programme and Lok Adalats need to be scaled up, especially in underserved regions.
Conclusion
NALSA represents India’s commitment to equal justice. Yet inadequate resources, rigid administrative processes and poor public perception limit its impact. Strengthening legal aid will require both higher investment and community‑oriented reforms so that every eligible person can confidently seek justice without financial burden.