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

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Both statements are correct. NALSA was set up under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of society, so that justice is secured on a basis of equal opportunity. Section 4 of the Act empowers NALSA to lay down policies and schemes, and to coordinate, monitor and give general directions to the State Authorities. Section 7 obliges the State Authorities to give effect to NALSA's policies and directions.

• ✓ 1. NALSA's principal objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of society. It must also ensure that no citizen is denied the opportunity to secure justice because of economic or other disabilities. Both the Act's Preamble and Article 39A of the Constitution tie legal aid to justice on a basis of equal opportunity.
• ✓ 2. Under Section 4(a)–(b) of the 1987 Act, NALSA lays down policies and principles and frames schemes for legal services. Under Section 4(n), it coordinates and monitors the State Authorities and other legal services bodies. The same clause lets it give general directions for the proper implementation of legal services programmes. Section 7(1) requires each State Authority to give effect to NALSA's policies and directions.

Remember · NALSA was set up under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, which came into force on 9 November 1995, and the Chief Justice of India is its Patron-in-Chief. It provides free, competent legal aid, lays down policies and schemes, and directs the State Legal Services Authorities.

Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2013, General Studies paper. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). · Report an error