With reference to National Legal Services Authority consider the following statements:Its objective

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UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2013 UPSC Prelims Indian Polity & Governance paper.

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Question

With reference to National Legal Services Authority consider the following statements:Its objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker section of the society on the basis of equal opportunity.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?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: C — Both 1 and 2Step-by-step Solution:The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, which came into force on November 9, 1995.Statement 1 — NALSA provides free legal services to weaker sections based on equal opportunity: This is correct. NALSA's primary mandate is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of society to ensure that no citizen is denied the opportunity to secure justice due to economic or other disabilities. The beneficiaries include: women and children; members of SC/ST communities; industrial workers; persons with disabilities; persons in custody; victims of disasters/violence/floods; mentally ill persons; etc. This is a constitutionally mandated obligation — Article 39A (DPSP) directs the state to ensure equal justice and free legal aid. ✓Statement 2 — NALSA issues guidelines for State Legal Services Authorities: This is correct. NALSA serves as the apex body for legal services in India, with a hierarchical structure: NALSA (national apex) → State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs, one in each state, chaired by the Chief Justice of the respective High Court) → District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) → Taluk/Sub-divisional Legal Services Committees. NALSA issues guidelines, policies, and action plans that the SLSAs are required to implement. It also monitors and coordinates the legal services programmes across the country. ✓Key Concept: NALSA structure: Patron-in-Chief — Chief Justice of India; Executive Chairman — second senior-most judge of Supreme Court; operates through State Legal Services Authorities (in each state, chaired by Chief Justice of respective HC), District Legal Services Authorities (chaired by District Judge), Taluk/Sub-divisional Committees. Key programmes: Lok Adalats (people's courts — alternative dispute resolution through conciliation, no court fees, awards have legal validity, no appeal to court); National Lok Adalats; Pre-Litigation Mediation; Legal Aid Clinics in villages; Paralegal Volunteers. Article 39A — DPSP: equal justice and free legal aid. Article 22(1) — right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of one's choice. Lok Adalat settlements: disputes relating to motor accident claims, matrimonial cases (except divorce), labour disputes, disputes relating to public utility services, compoundable offences.

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