Orientation Session for NALSA Interns on 16.06.2025

An orientation session for NALSA Interns from various colleges across India was held on 16th June 2025 at the Conference Hall of Rouse Avenue Courts, New Delhi. A total of 34 interns participated in the session.

The session commenced with an interactive discussion led by Sh. Mridul Gupta, Ld. Additional Secretary, DSLSA, and Sh. Kumar Rahul, Ld. Secretary, DLSA, New Delhi. Sh. Mridul Gupta briefed the interns about the Legal Services Authorities Act, the concept of legal awareness, and the functioning of National Lok Adalats. He highlighted the widening scope of legal services. He elaborated on counselling services, and the eligibility criteria for availing free legal aid — including marginalized sections such as SC/STs, women, children, senior citizens, industrial workers, Begar, persons with HIV, acid attack survivors, and transgender persons.

He also explained the structure of Legal Services Authorities, and gave an overview of physical and virtual access points for availing free legal aid. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of free legal services in bodies like the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
Following this, Sh. Kumar Rahul, Ld. Secretary, DLSA (New Delhi), conducted a detailed session on the Delhi Victim Compensation Scheme (DVCS). He discussed the year of its initiation, its objectives, and clearly explained the difference between Section 357 and Section 357A of the CrPC in the context of victim compensation.

The interns enthusiastically participated in the session and expressed keen interest in understanding the institutional framework of various legal service authorities and their role in ensuring access to justice for all. The session covered key technical aspects such as the statutory mandate under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, provisions under Section 12 of the Act specifying eligibility for free legal aid, and the functions of District and State Legal Services Authorities under Section 7 and Section 10, respectively. The interns also gained insights into the procedure for filing applications for compensation under Section 357A of the CrPC, and the intersection of juvenile justice law with the JJ Act, 2015. The orientation further explained the use of technology-enabled platforms such as the CPGRAMS portal and the 1516 helpline for grievance redressal and legal aid access.

As per the orientation schedule, the interns also visited the DLSA office at New Delhi, where they received firsthand exposure to practical working aspects of the legal aid system. They observed the functioning of the Front Office, the process of legal aid delivery, and procedures related to victim compensation claims. The visit provided them with practical insights into how legal services are administered at the ground level. The interns found the experience enriching and enjoyable, gaining both academic and field knowledge.

Overall, the orientation session proved to be highly informative, technically enriching, and engaging for all attendees, offering a comprehensive overview of India’s legal aid ecosystem and the vital role played by legal services authorities in ensuring access to justice for the marginalized.

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