On 29-01-2026, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal gave updates on Free Legal Aid Services in India. He informed that the Government has set up a National Legal Service Authority under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
The Law Minister informed that:
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It will provide free and competent legal services to the poor and marginalized sections of the society to ensure that the opportunity for securing justice is given to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.
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This will also organize the Lok Adalats to secure the fact that the operation of the legal system promotes justice based on equal opportunities.
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The legal services authorities have been setup from the Taluk level up to the Supreme Court to reach out to the citizens in every corner of the country:
✓ Supreme Court Legal Services Committee;
✓ 38 High Court Legal Services Committee;
✓ 37 State Legal Services Authorities;
✓ 2440 Taluk Legal Services Committees.
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Activities and programmes undertaken vy the Legal Services Authorities includes:
✓ Legal aid;
✓ Legal advice;
✓ Legal Awareness Programmes;
✓ Legal Services Clinics;
✓ Legal Literacy Clubs;
✓ Lok Adalats;
✓ Implementation of Victim Compensation Scheme.
Legal Framework:
The National Legal Services Authority (Free and Competent Legal Services) Regulations, 2010 provide for a robust framework for monitoring and evaluating legal aid services through the Monitoring and Mentoring Committees at all tiers i.e. Supreme Court of India, High Courts, State Legal Services Authorities/ District Legal Services Authorities and Taluk Legal Services Committees.
According to the Regulations, these Committees are responsible for overseeing court-based legal aid delivery, monitoring the progress of assigned cases, and guiding panel lawyers and Legal Aid Defense Counsels in providing quality legal services.
All bout the Monitoring and Mentoring Committees:
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It will maintain registers to track the day-to-day progress and final outcomes of legal aid cases.
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They obtain periodic reports from legal aid lawyers, assess their performance, and advise concerned authorities to take corrective steps when progress is unsatisfactory.
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The continuous follow-up mechanism ensures accountability, transparency, and quality control in legal services.
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It will also evaluate lawyer’s performance to identify underperformance or misconduct.
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The performance of each human resource engaged under the Legal Aid Defense Counsels will be evaluated every 6 months under the guidance of Executive Chairman.
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Monthly reporting of casework by the Legal Aid Defense Counsels will be done by the State Legal Services Committees to the National Legal Services Authority which will ensure real-time oversight and data- driven evaluation at the national level.
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The data relating to pending legal aid cases is not maintained by the National Legal Services Authority.
