Justice Vikram Nath has been appointed as the Executive Chairperson of NALSA by the President of India under Section 3(2)(b) of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Learn about NALSA’s structure, functions, legal aid schemes, and the significance of this key appointment.
The President of India has nominated Justice Vikram Nath, senior judge of the Supreme Court, as the new Executive Chairperson of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) with effect from November 24, 2025. The appointment was notified by the Ministry of Law and Justice, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 3(2)(b) of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
In line with long-standing judicial tradition, the post of NALSA Executive Chairperson is conventionally assigned to the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, making Justice Nath’s appointment consistent with this convention.
What Is NALSA? An Overview
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is the apex statutory body responsible for providing free and competent legal services to weaker and marginalised sections of society. Established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, NALSA ensures that access to justice—guaranteed under Article 39A of the Constitution—is made a reality for all, irrespective of socio-economic status.
Key Objectives of NALSA
NALSA works to:
- Provide legal aid to the poor, women, children, SC/ST communities, persons with disabilities, victims of trafficking, disaster survivors, and other vulnerable groups
- Promote legal literacy and public awareness
- Organise Lok Adalats and Permanent Lok Adalats for speedy and amicable settlement of disputes
- Implement victim compensation schemes across states
- Facilitate access to the justice system through legal aid clinics, including in jails, villages, and educational institutions
How NALSA Is Structured
NALSA functions through a well-defined multi-tier structure:
- National Level (NALSA)
Headed by:
• Patron-in-Chief: Chief Justice of India
• Executive Chairperson: Second senior-most Supreme Court judge
NALSA frames policies, issues guidelines, and monitors implementation of legal aid programmes across the country. - State Level (SLSAs – State Legal Services Authorities)
Chaired by the Chief Justice of the respective High Court, SLSAs coordinate legal aid services at the state level. - District and Taluk Levels
District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) and Taluk Legal Services Committees (TLSCs) provide legal services directly to the public through:
• Legal aid lawyers
• Para-legal volunteers
• Lok Adalat panels
• Legal literacy clubs and clinics
This decentralised structure ensures that NALSA’s services reach the grassroots.
Major Schemes and Initiatives of NALSA
- Legal Aid Clinics
Located in villages, jails, legal literacy camps, and socio-economically backward areas to offer free legal advice and counselling. - Lok Adalats
NALSA regularly conducts:
• National Lok Adalats
• Mega Lok Adalats
• Permanent Lok Adalats (PLAs) under Section 22-B of the Act
These help reduce court pendency and promote low-cost, consensual dispute resolution. - Victim Compensation Schemes
Under Section 357A CrPC, NALSA monitors and ensures effective implementation of victim compensation programmes across states, including compensation for:
• Acid attack victims
• Human trafficking survivors
• Victims of sexual offences
• Children in conflict with the law - Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs) Programme
One of NALSA’s strongest grassroots mechanisms, PLVs are trained individuals who:
• Assist citizens in understanding their legal rights
• Help in filing applications
• Connect people with legal aid authorities - Campaigns for Marginalised Groups
NALSA conducts targeted programmes for:
• Women in distress
• Senior citizens
• Migrant workers
• Industrial workers
• Prison inmates
• Transgender persons
• Persons with disabilities
These initiatives promote inclusivity in the justice delivery system.
Role of the Executive Chairperson: Why the Appointment Matters
As the Executive Chairperson of NALSA, Justice Vikram Nath will be responsible for:
• Supervising the nationwide legal aid network
• Approving and monitoring NALSA schemes
• Strengthening legal aid delivery mechanisms in courts and prisons
• Coordinating with SLSAs, DLSAs, and PLVs
• Overseeing Lok Adalat processes and innovations
• Promoting digital legal aid and e-services
• Ensuring legal empowerment of vulnerable citizens
His leadership will play a crucial role in advancing India’s mission of equal access to justice.
