⚖️ Sarkari Kanooni Sahayata (NALSA/DLSA): am I eligible for government legal aid?

FAQs

Who can get free legal aid in India?

Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, a person who has to file or defend a case is entitled to legal services if they are: a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe; a victim of human trafficking or begar; a woman or a child; a person with a disability; a victim of a mass disaster, ethnic or caste violence, caste atrocity, flood, drought, earthquake or industrial disaster; an industrial workman; a person in custody (including a protective home, juvenile home or psychiatric hospital / nursing home); or a person whose annual income is below the limit prescribed by the State Government (Central Government for the Supreme Court). The authority must also be satisfied that there is a genuine (prima facie) case (s.13(1)).

Does a woman get free legal aid even if she earns well?

Yes. NALSA states that a woman is entitled to free legal aid irrespective of her income or financial status, under Section 12(c). The same clause covers children (below 18).

What is the income limit for free legal aid?

It is set by each State / UT for courts other than the Supreme Court, and it is revised from time to time — so check your State's current limit with your District Legal Services Authority or by calling 15100. For the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee lists less than ₹5,00,000 a year, with an affidavit. An affidavit about income is generally accepted as enough unless the authority has reason to doubt it (s.13(2)).

How do I apply for free legal aid?

Call 15100, apply on NALSA's online legal aid application (LSAMS), e-mail nalsa-dla@nic.in, or go to the front office of the District Legal Services Authority at your district court (Taluk Legal Services Committee at the taluka court; High Court or Supreme Court Legal Services Committee for those courts). A plain-paper or even oral application is accepted, and there is no fee for the form.

Someone in my family has been arrested. Can they get a free lawyer?

Yes — a person in custody is eligible under s.12(g), and courts have held that the right to free legal aid starts at the first production before the Magistrate, who must inform the accused of it (Khatri v. State of Bihar, 1981; Suk Das, 1986). In a trial or appeal, the court must assign an advocate at State expense to an accused who cannot afford one (BNSS s.341). Ask for the Legal Aid Defense Counsel or call 15100.

What if my legal aid application is refused?

Ask for the reason in writing. NALSA says an applicant aggrieved by the decision can appeal to the Chairman / Executive Chairman of the same Legal Services Institution; complaints about conduct can go to the higher authority (e.g. DLSA to SLSA). Even if you are not eligible for a free advocate, you can still ask for free legal advice.

Is anything I enter stored or sent anywhere?

No. Your answers and ticks are saved only in this browser on your phone (localStorage); the Status image is made in your browser. If you share on WhatsApp, that chat follows WhatsApp's own rules. Adhiwakta is a legal-information platform, not a law firm or a Legal Services Authority, and does not decide eligibility or appoint advocates.