UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2020

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

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 3 and 4 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1 and 4 only

Answer

Correct Answer

1 and 2 only

Explanation

Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, persons with annual income below the ceiling (Rs 1 lakh in the Act, higher in state rules) are eligible, and transgender persons are eligible under the NALSA framework with an income limit. OBCs are not automatically eligible (only SC/ST are), and senior citizens are eligible only as per state rules and income limits. So 1 and 2 is the most appropriate option (this question was flagged as controversial).

Topics: access to justice, judiciary & legal system, legal services authorities act - free legal aid eligibility, polity & governance