National Legal Services Day: Lok Adalats settled 23.58 crore cases in three years
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Asked by UPSCPrelims 2013Mains 2024 (GS2), 2023 (GS2)3 PYQs
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
What happened
- National Legal Services Day (9 November) marks the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 [PIB].
- From 2022-23 to 2024-25, 23.58 crore cases were settled through State, Permanent and National Lok Adalats, and 44.22 lakh people got legal aid [PIB].
- About 2.10 crore people received pre-litigation advice and related help under the DISHA scheme (as on 28 Feb 2025) [PIB].
Background
- Article 39A directs the State to provide free legal aid [Constitution]. The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 set up NALSA and state and district authorities [India Code].
Why it matters
- Lok Adalats clear huge numbers, but many are traffic challans and small bank recoveries. Quality of settlement matters as much as quantity.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2025-11-08): national Legal Services Day (9 November) marks the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
- Lok Adalats clear huge numbers, but many are traffic challans and small bank recoveries. Quality of settlement matters as much as quantity.
Quotable data pointFrom 2022-23 to 2024-25, 23.58 crore cases were settled through State, Permanent and National Lok Adalats, and 44.22 lakh people got legal aid.
PIB: PIB Backgrounder: National Legal Services Day, 8 Nov 2025
Exam angle
UPSC
Prelims: Article 39A, NALSA.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Practice · UPSC
National Legal Services Day is on
Answer (a) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Free legal aid is in which Article?
Answer (b) & explanation
Source: Constitution of India (Legislative Dept).
Practice · UPSC
Cases settled by Lok Adalats 2022-25
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: PIB Backgrounder: National Legal Services Day, 8 Nov 2025
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending