UPSC Prelims 2020·GS1·polity-and-governance·social justice and international relations

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 ₹ 1,00,000 2. Transgender with an annual income of less than ₹ 2,00,000 3. Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than ₹ 3,00,000 4. All Senior Citizens Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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  1. A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
  2. B3 and 4 only
  3. C2 and 3 only
  4. D1 and 4 only

Explanation

Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, and NALSA's framework, free legal services are provided to specific categories. Key categories relevant here: 1. Person with an annual income of less than ₹ 1,00,000: Persons below the prescribed income limit are entitled to free legal aid. The Act specifies income-based eligibility, and ₹1,00,000 is a recognized threshold under the scheme. ✓ 2. Transgender with an annual income of less than ₹ 2,00,000: Following the NALSA v. Union of India (2014) Supreme Court judgment, NALSA issued guidelines extending free legal services to transgender persons. The income ceiling for this category is ₹2,00,000. ✓ 3. Member of OBC with an annual income of less than ₹ 3,00,000: OBCs do not constitute a separately enumerated category under the Legal Services Authorities Act for free legal aid. The Act lists SC/ST, women, children, persons with disability, industrial workmen, persons in custody, etc. — OBC membership alone (with an income cap) is not a distinct qualifying criterion. ✗ 4. All Senior Citizens: Senior citizens are not unconditionally entitled to free legal services. They must fall within one of the specified categories (e.g., income threshold, disability). 'All senior citizens' regardless of income or status is incorrect. ✗ Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct.
polity-and-governance: In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens? 1. Person w

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