With reference to National Legal Services Authority, consider the following statements : 1. Its objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society on the basis of equal opportunity. 2. It issues guidelines for the State Legal Services Authorities to implement the legal programmes and schemes throughout the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to fulfill the constitutional mandate of Article 39A [3]. Statement 1 is correct as NALSA's primary objective is to provide free and competent legal services to weaker sections of society, ensuring that justice is not denied due to economic or other disabilities [6]. Statement 2 is also correct because NALSA is the nodal body responsible for laying down policies, principles, and guidelines for the State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) [4]. It frames effective and economical schemes that SLSAs, District Legal Services Authorities, and Taluk Committees are mandated to implement across the country [5]. NALSA works in close coordination with these state-level bodies to monitor the progress of legal aid programs and ensure a streamlined approach to justice delivery [5].

Sources

1. [2] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 38: Lok Adalats and Other Courts > NATIONAL LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY' > p. 374
2. [3] https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/1925/1/198739.pdf
3. [6] https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s33778e38faa5a4554abf520fe1d9fbd5e/uploads/2025/06/20250609366731762.pdf
4. [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 38: Lok Adalats and Other Courts > NATIONAL LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY' > p. 374
5. [4] https://nalsa.gov.in/introduction/
6. [5] https://nalsa.gov.in/about-nalsa/