Published Paper Details:

Right to Free Legal Aid in India: A Study of Constitutional, Statutory, and Judicial Developments Purvi Panwar Assistant Professor Himachal Pradesh College of Law Kala- Amb Abstract: The concept of Free Legal Aid serves as the foundation of a refined justice system, ensuring that the doors of justice are not closed to anyone due to economic or social disabilities. This paper examines the comprehensive evolution of the right to legal aid in India, tracing its route through constitutional mandates, legislative frameworks, and judicial activism. The Right to free legal aid gain formal recognition through the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 which inserted Article 39A, directing the State to provide free legal services. However, the true transformation occurred through the transformative interpretation of Article 21 by the Supreme Court, elevating legal aid from a directive principle to fundamental rights. The study further analyzes the statutory strength provided by the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, which established a three-tier structure (NALSA, SLSA, and DLSA) and institutionalized Lok Adalats as a mechanism for affordable dispute resolution.By analyzing landmark judicial pronouncements such as Hussainara Khatoon v. Home Secretary, State of Bihar and M.H. Hoskot v. State of Maharashtra, this paper highlights how the judiciary has bridged the gap between theoretical rights and practical accessibility.