Question 50 from UPSC CSE 2020 - POLITY & GOVERNANC E

Question

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:

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 and 2 only

Strategy: - Assess factual eligibility based on the Legal Services Authorities Act and related rules.
- Statement 1 is correct: Individuals with annual income below Rs. 1 lakh generally qualify nationwide.
- Statement 2 is correct: Delhi rules extend free legal services to transgenders with income below Rs. 2 lakh.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: OBCs are not universally covered, and no national income ceiling criterion exists for them.
- Statement 4 is not universally true: Eligibility for senior citizens depends on state rules, not national recognition.
- Conclusion: Only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

Key Info: The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, established the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and State Legal Services Authorities to provide free legal aid to eligible citizens.

According to Section 12 of the Act, beneficiaries include:
- Persons from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- Victims of trafficking or begar
- Women and children
- Persons with disabilities
- Victims of mass disasters or violence
- Industrial workmen
- Persons in custody
- Those with annual income lower than a specified ceiling.

The standard national income limit is typically Rs. 1,00,000, but this can vary by state and is Rs. 5 lakh for the Supreme Court. Transgenders with income less than Rs. 2 lakh are eligible in certain jurisdictions, such as Delhi, under state amendments. OBCs are not automatically eligible unless covered within the general income category; there is no uniform national clause specifying an income ceiling for OBCs. Free legal aid for senior citizens is not a mandated provision across India; eligibility depends on state government rules, with some states including them and others not.

NALSA periodically revises income ceilings and categories in consultation with central and state governments.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 3 and 4 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 2 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1 and 4 only