Constitution of IndiaPart IVDirective PrincipleInserted by 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
Article 39A
Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid
free legal aidequal justiceNALSAlegal serviceseconomic disabilityaccess to justice
Plain English Explanation
Article 39A directs the State to ensure equal access to justice and provide free legal aid to those who cannot afford it. This led to the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and the establishment of NALSA (National Legal Services Authority). Anyone whose annual income is below ₹1 lakh (in most states) is entitled to free legal services. Legal aid is available at all court levels including the Supreme Court.
Legal Text
The Constitution of India · Article 39A
The State shall secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice, on a basis of equal opportunity, and shall, in particular, provide free legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes or in any other way, to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.
Quick Facts
- Article Number
- 39A
- Part
- IV
- Type
- DPSP
- Inserted/Amended by
- Inserted by 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
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