UPSC Prelims 2020 · Question 39 of 100
UPSC Prelims 2020 question on Legal Services Free Legal Aid
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2020
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectPolity
- TopicNon-Constitutional Bodies
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens?
1. Person with an annual income of less than Rs. 1,00,000
2. Transgender with an annual income of less than Rs. 2,00,000
3. Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than Rs. 3,00,000
4. All Senior Citizens
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Show answer
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Verdict
Correct statements: 1 and 2 → Option (a).
Analysis
As per the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the following are entitled to free legal services: a member of SC/ST; a victim of trafficking in human beings or begar as referred to in Article 23; a woman (irrespective of income); a child up to age 18; a mentally ill or differently abled person; a person under circumstances of undeserved want (victim of disaster, ethnic violence, caste atrocity, flood, drought, earthquake or industrial disaster); an industrial workman; or a person with annual income less than the prescribed limit.
Statement by statement
Statement 1 – CORRECT: Low income (annual income less than Rs. 1,00,000) qualifies under the prescribed income ceiling for free legal aid.
Statement 2 – CORRECT: Transgender persons with annual income less than Rs. 2 lakh (in Delhi and similar prescribed limits in States) qualify for free legal aid.
Statement 3 – INCORRECT: OBC with annual income of Rs. 3,00,000 exceeds the income ceiling prescribed under Section 12(h) of the Act for general categories. OBC as a category is not separately listed under Section 12.
Statement 4 – INCORRECT: Senior citizens' eligibility for free legal aid depends on the Rules framed by the respective State Governments — it is NOT automatic for ALL senior citizens.
Extra UPSC info
NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and is headed by the Chief Justice of India. Income ceiling is Rs. 5 lakh if the case is before the Supreme Court.