India To Mark National Legal Services Day; Over 44 Lakh Citizens Benefited From Free Legal Aid In Three Years
India will observe National Legal Services Day on November 9 to commemorate the enactment of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, which came into effect on this day in 1995. The day highlights India’s commitment to ensuring access to justice for all, especially the underprivileged and marginalised.
According to the Ministry of Law and Justice, more than 44.22 lakh citizens have received free legal aid and advice through the Legal Services Authorities between 2022 and 2025. During the same period, over 23.58 crore cases were resolved across National, State, and Permanent Lok Adalats, underscoring the growing impact of India’s alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Under the Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA) scheme, nearly 2.10 crore people have benefited through pre-litigation advice, pro bono services, and legal awareness initiatives as of February 2025. The scheme, funded by the Government of India with an outlay of ₹250 crore, has significantly expanded access to affordable justice.
The Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS), operational in 668 districts, has provided free criminal defence to eligible beneficiaries. Since 2023, LADCs have disposed of over 7.86 lakh cases out of 11.46 lakh assigned cases, with a total outlay of ₹998.43 crore for 2023–26.
To enhance legal literacy, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and its State and District counterparts have organised over 13.83 lakh awareness programmes between 2022–2025, reaching nearly 15 crore people. Awareness drives, booklets, and regional campaigns have been conducted in multiple languages to help citizens understand their rights and legal procedures.
Fast-track and special courts continue to play a key role in speeding up justice delivery. As of June 2025, 865 Fast-Track Courts and 725 Fast-Track Special Courts—including 392 exclusive POCSO courts—are functional across 29 States and UTs, having disposed of more than 3.34 lakh cases. The scheme has been extended till March 2026 with a financial outlay of ₹1,952 crore.
Grassroots judicial access has also been strengthened through 488 Gram Nyayalayas, which provide affordable and swift dispute resolution in rural areas. Additionally, Nari Adalats under the Mission Shakti programme are being piloted across several States to address gender-based violence through mediation and community justice.
On this occasion, legal awareness camps are being held nationwide by State Legal Services Authorities to educate people about free legal aid and their rights. Training programmes for judges, legal aid lawyers, and para-legal volunteers are also being conducted to build capacity and ensure competent legal representation for vulnerable communities.
