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Free Legal Aid in Delhi: Who Is Eligible and How to Apply

By Binay Kumar, Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India

Official guidance checked: 21 October 2026.

If you need legal help but cannot afford it, you may be able to apply for free legal aid. Start with the legal services authority that deals with your court or type of case. This guide explains that process in Delhi. It also explains the firm’s separate free initial document review. Applying to one does not mean you have applied to the other.

Who can get free legal aid in Delhi?

Income is not the only way to qualify. The Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) lists women, children, members of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, persons with disabilities, industrial workmen, people in custody, and certain victims of trafficking, disasters or violence. Its guidance also lists acid-attack victims and people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

For people applying on income grounds, DSLSA currently lists annual income below ₹3 lakh. It lists a separate limit below ₹4 lakh for senior citizens and transgender applicants. These limits do not apply in the same way to every eligibility category. Ask the authority which rule applies to you. Do not use Delhi’s income limits for a Supreme Court application without checking the separate requirements. Check DSLSA’s eligibility rules and application form.

Which authority should you approach?

For a case in a district court, contact that district’s District Legal Services Authority. For a High Court case, contact the High Court Legal Services Committee. For a Supreme Court case, contact the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee. If you are unsure where to start in Delhi, ask DSLSA. The right office depends on the case and court, not just your home address.

How do you apply?

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) explains that you can apply at a legal-services office, by post or online. You can also make a written request without a printed form. If you cannot prepare the application yourself, ask the office for help. There is no fee to get or submit the application form. Start from the official NALSA legal-aid page and use its application link.

What should you have ready?

Write down what happened, what help you need, how you can be contacted and the date of your next hearing or reply. Include the case number and court name, if there is already a case. Keep these papers ready:

  • The identity, income or other eligibility documents the authority asks for.
  • The notice, summons, complaint or latest order that explains the immediate problem.
  • A short list of events in date order and a list of the important papers.
  • Details of pending proceedings and any lawyer already handling the matter.

This checklist helps you prepare; not every document is required in every case. Ask the office what it needs from you. Keep your originals safe and keep the receipt or reference number for your application.

What happens after application?

The authority checks your eligibility and case before deciding what help to provide. Submitting an application does not mean a lawyer has been appointed. Follow up using your application reference and keep any decision or lawyer-appointment letter. If your application is refused, ask why and how you can seek a review.

If a hearing or deadline is close

Tell the office about the deadline first and show the latest court order. Applying for help does not give you more time to file a case or appeal, excuse you from attending court, or stop an order from taking effect. Do not wait for an online reply if a deadline is close. See our guide to preparing for the next court date.

The firm’s separate free initial document and evidence review

Request a Free Initial Document Review →

People in financial need may ask The Justice Law Partners for a free initial review of relevant documents and evidence. The firm does not charge professional fees for an initial review it has agreed to accept. This independent service is called pro bono assistance.

This is separate from applying to NALSA or DSLSA. The firm must first confirm that it can help and what the review will cover. It does not automatically include preparing documents, filing a case or representing you in court. It is not a promise to pay court fees or other expenses. Any further work or expenses must be agreed separately.

Use our contact page and say that you are asking for a free initial document review. Briefly explain the problem and any deadline. Do not send confidential papers at this stage. First agree a suitable way to share them with the office. Sending a message does not mean the firm has accepted your case.

Read about our pro bono team and how to request an initial review.

Official resources

Disclaimer: This guide gives general information, not advice on your individual case or an offer to represent you. The firm is not claiming to be part of NALSA, DSLSA or another legal services authority. Official rules may change. The authority decides legal-aid applications; the firm separately decides which free initial reviews it can accept. No result is guaranteed.