National Legal Services Day (NLSD) is annually observed across India on 9th November to promote legal awareness and equitable access to justice for all, especially the marginalized, reinforcing the government’s commitment to “Access to Justice for All.”
- The day commemorates the enforcement of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, on 9th November 1995.
- 10th November 2025 marks the 31st edition of NLSD.
Exam Hints:
- What? National Legal Services Day (NLSD) 2025
- Observed? 9 November
- Edition? 31st Observance
- Organizing Body? National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
- Proposed by: Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, then Executive Chairman of NALSA (1998)
- First Observed: 9 November 1995
- Commemorates: Enforcement of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
Background:
Proposed by: The idea to celebrate NLSD annually was first proposed by Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, the then Executive Chairman of NALSA, during the first Annual Meet of the State Legal Services Authorities held on 12th September 1998 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
First Observation: The first NLSD was observed on 9th November 1995.
About Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987:
Act: Enacted in October 1987 under Article 39A of the Constitution, the Legal Services Authorities Act aims to ensure that justice is not denied to any citizen due to economic or social barriers.
Framework: It established a three-tier structure for providing free and competent legal services:
- National Legal Services Authority (NALSA): Headed by the Chief Justice of India(CJI)
- State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs): Headed by the CJ of the High Court(HC)
- District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs): Headed by the District Judge.
Effect: The Act came into force on 9th November 1995, a date declared by the Supreme Court of India to be observed annually as National Legal Services Day (NLSD).
Functions of NALSA:
Role: It supervises and reviews the implementation of legal aid programmes at the national level by framing policies, guidelines, and schemes for effective delivery of justice.
Initiatives: It conducts legal literacy and awareness programmes through State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) and District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) to educate citizens about their rights.
Outreach: NALSA offers free legal services to the weaker sections and conducts Lok Adalats for amicable dispute resolution. Through its Para-Legal Volunteers Scheme, it trains volunteers as intermediaries between citizens and legal institutions, promoting awareness of justice and rights.
Achievements of NALSA (2022–2025):
Constitutional Guarantee: As the world’s largest democracy, India upholds its Constitution’s promise of equality, ensuring every citizen enjoys equal rights and equal protection under the law.
Beneficiaries: Over 44.22 lakh beneficiaries have received free legal aid and advice between 2022 and 2025 through various Legal Services Authorities.
Cases Resolved: Around 23.58 crore cases were resolved through National, State, and Permanent Lok Adalats during the same period.
Pre-Litigation Advice: Under the DISHA Scheme (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice), nearly 2.10 crore citizens have benefited through pre-litigation advice, pro bono services, and awareness drives as of February 2025.
Criminal Defence: The Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS) has provided free criminal defence in 668 districts, disposing of over 7.86 lakh cases between 2023–2025.
Fast-Track Courts: As of June 2025, India had 865 Fast-Track Courts(FTCs) and 725 Fast-Track Special Courts(FTSCs), including 392 exclusive Protection of Children from Sexual Offences(POCSO) courts, disposing of more than 3.34 lakh cases.
About National Legal Services Authority (NALSA):
Patron -in -Chief- Justice B.R Gavai -Chief Justice of India (CJI)
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 1995
