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GS2 · Judiciary

Lok Adalats under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987

1 min readJudiciary
Battle IAS current affairs title card: Lok Adalats under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (GS2 · Judiciary, 13 December 2025)
Asked by UPSCPrelims 2013Mains 2024 (GS2)2 PYQs

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

What happened

  • A PIB backgrounder sets out how Lok Adalats work under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 [PIB].

Background

  • A Lok Adalat award counts as a civil court decree. No appeal lies against it, and court fees are refunded.

Why it matters

  • With crores of cases pending, settling them in Lok Adalats takes real pressure off the courts.

How to use this in Mains

GS-II Structure, organisation and functioning of the Judiciary

  1. As per PIB (2025-12-13): A PIB backgrounder sets out how Lok Adalats work under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
  2. With crores of cases pending, settling them in Lok Adalats takes real pressure off the courts.
Quotable data point

A PIB backgrounder sets out how Lok Adalats work under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

PIB: PIB Backgrounder: Lok Adalats, 13 Dec 2025

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: Lok Adalat features.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Statutory basis

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Appeal against award

Answer (c) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Constitutional link

Answer (b) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

ExplainerLok Adalats and Legal Aid in India: Article 39A, the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987, NALSA, National and Permanent Lok Adalats, Free Legal Aid and Reform (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerSupreme Court of India (Articles 124-147): Composition, Appointment, Removal, Jurisdiction and Independence (UPSC Notes + PYQs)

Official source: PIB: PIB Backgrounder: Lok Adalats, 13 Dec 2025

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending