Can I get free legal aid if I cannot afford a lawyer?

Yes, India has a structured legal aid system through Legal Services Authorities at the national, state, and district level, which provide free legal services — including a lawyer, court fees, and other litigation costs — to eligible categories of people, including those below a specified income threshold, women, children, persons with disabilities, and several other specified categories.

You can approach the District Legal Services Authority in your area, typically located within or near the district court, to apply for legal aid, providing basic details about your case and your eligibility (such as income proof, if that's the basis for your eligibility).

If you're an accused person in a criminal case and cannot afford a lawyer, courts are also independently obligated to provide you with a legal aid lawyer, since the right to legal representation in a criminal matter is constitutionally protected. Legal Services Authorities also run helpline numbers and camps in many areas to make accessing this assistance easier.