Key Facts

National Legal Services Day was observed across India on 9 November 2026, marking the enforcement anniversary of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Judicial institutions, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), and State Legal Services Authorities organised outreach programmes, legal literacy camps, and Lok Adalats to provide free legal aid to marginalised communities, women, children, undertrial prisoners, and indigent litigants. Chief Justice of India and Patron-in-Chief of NALSA emphasized that access to justice is an indispensable guarantee of democratic constitutionalism, urging legal aid counsels to prioritize quality representation and assist the lakhs of undertrials languishing in jails due to their inability to meet bail bond conditions.

GK Context

The statutory framework for legal aid in India originates from Article 39A of the Constitution, introduced by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, which mandates that the State shall secure equal justice and provide free legal aid through suitable legislation. To give statutory effect to this Directive Principle, Parliament passed the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, creating a three-tiered system: NALSA at the national apex, State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) at the state level headed by High Court Chief Justices, and District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs). Lok Adalats, statutory dispute resolution forums created under the Act, have statutory status where awards are deemed civil court decrees and are non-appealable.