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General Studies 2023 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Assess

GS Paper II — Q2

Who are entitled to receive free legal aid? Assess the role of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in rendering free…

Who are entitled to receive free legal aid? Assess the role of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in rendering free legal aid in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निःशुल्क कानूनी सहायता प्राप्त करने के हकदार कौन हैं? निःशुल्क कानूनी सहायता के प्रतिपादन में राष्ट्रीय विधि सेवा प्राधिकरण (एन.ए.एल.एस.ए.) की भूमिका का आकलन कीजिए। (150 शब्दों में उत्तर) 10 marks

Q2 of the 2023 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper II, as printed
The question as printed in the 2023 General Studies paper
Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2023 General Studies questions

Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

Article 39A mandates free legal aid to ensure justice is not denied due to economic or other disabilities. Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, entitled persons include: members of SC/ST; women and children; victims of human trafficking or begar; mentally or physically disabled persons; victims of mass disasters, ethnic violence, or industrial accidents; industrial workmen; persons in custody; and individuals with an annual income below prescribed statutory limits.

Assessment of NALSA’s Role

NALSA has institutionalized a multi-tier delivery framework across National, State (SLSA), District (DLSA), and Taluk levels. It has successfully resolved millions of pending and pre-litigation disputes through National Lok Adalats, significantly lowered litigation costs, and facilitated victim compensation. Recent tech-driven initiatives like Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (pro bono panels), and legal aid clinics have expanded last-mile justice delivery.

However, its systemic impact is constrained by the poor quality and lack of accountability among underpaid legal aid counsels, low rural awareness, underutilization of Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs), and persistent docket pendency.

Overall, while NALSA has effectively built institutional reach and alternative dispute resolution capacity, upgrading the quality and monitoring of empanelled lawyers is critical to achieving substantive justice.

What "Assess" is asking you to do

Size something up where no pass-or-fail standard exists — how far a role matters, how large an impact runs, how serious a problem is. Evaluate and assess are marked on the same scale; the working difference is that evaluate answers whether it worked, assess answers how much it weighs.

Structure that answers it

What is being sized up and on what evidence → evidence of reach → limits and counter-evidence → a stated degree, considerable or partial or marginal, with reasons

Where marks are lost

Describing the thing rather than sizing its effect. Calling something significant without saying how significant, or against what, loses the assessment marks.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS2 Legal System & Governance. evaluate: criteria > evidence > balanced judgment Full marks: Precise eligibility criteria + NALSA's structural role + critical assessment of impact.

Key points expected

  • Cite Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
  • List specific categories (SC/ST, women, children, indigent)
  • Explain NALSA's mandate (supervision, policy, funding)
  • Assess effectiveness or challenges of NALSA

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Define eligibility for free legal aid and evaluate NALSA's role in its delivery. 10 marks · 150 words

    evaluate— criteria → evidence → balanced judgment

    Must cover

    • Cite Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
    • List specific categories (SC/ST, women, children, indigent)
    • Explain NALSA's mandate (supervision, policy, funding)
    • Assess effectiveness or challenges of NALSA

    Loses marks

    • Reciting Article 39A without linking to NALSA
    • Failing to define who is entitled
    • Descriptive tone without assessment of role

    Earns more

    • Mention Article 39A (Directive Principle)
    • Reference Lok Adalats or District Legal Services
    • Cite landmark judgment (e.g., Khatri v. State of UP)

    Extra mark

    • Mention 2nd ARC or Law Commission recommendations
    • Cite specific data on legal aid cases

Practice this exact question

Write your answer and it is marked point by point against the model answer above — what you covered, what you missed, what you got wrong.

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