New Delhi: Justice B.V. Nagarathna appointed SCLSC Chairperson is a significant development for India’s legal aid system. The Chief Justice of India has nominated Justice B.V. Nagarathna as the Chairperson of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) with effect from June 29, 2026. The appointment highlights the Supreme Court’s continued commitment to providing free legal assistance to eligible citizens who cannot afford legal representation before the apex court.
Justice B.V. Nagarathna Takes Charge of SCLSC
Justice B.V. Nagarathna, a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India, has been appointed Chairperson of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) under Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
She succeeds Justice J.K. Maheshwari, who demitted office after retiring from the Supreme Court. As per long-standing convention, the third senior-most judge of the Supreme Court heads the SCLSC.
What is the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC)
The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee is a statutory body established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Its primary objective is to provide free and competent legal services to economically weaker and eligible persons whose cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India. The committee plays an important role in ensuring that financial hardship does not prevent citizens from accessing justice before the country’s highest court.
Main Responsibilities of the SCLSC
The committee performs several important functions, including:
- Receiving and examining applications for free legal aid.
- Verifying whether applicants meet eligibility requirements.
- Appointing qualified legal aid lawyers for deserving cases.
- Managing administrative processes related to Supreme Court legal aid.
- Ensuring that beneficiaries receive competent legal representation.
These responsibilities help make the constitutional promise of equal access to justice a practical reality.
Constitutional Importance of Legal Aid
The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, supports Article 39A of the Constitution of India, which directs the State to ensure equal justice and provide free legal aid so that no citizen is denied justice because of financial or economic limitations. The SCLSC serves as one of the most important institutions implementing this constitutional vision before the Supreme Court.
Why Justice B.V. Nagarathna’s Appointment Matters
Justice Nagarathna brings extensive judicial and administrative experience to the position. Before joining the Supreme Court in August 2021, she served as a judge of the Karnataka High Court. She also held leadership positions such as President of the Karnataka Judicial Academy and President of the Bangalore Mediation Centre, where she worked on judicial training, mediation, and court administration. Her experience is expected to strengthen the committee’s functioning and improve the delivery of legal aid services.
How the Appointment Can Benefit Citizens
The SCLSC acts as a bridge between disadvantaged litigants and experienced legal professionals. Under Justice Nagarathna’s leadership, the committee is expected to continue improving access to justice by:
- Processing legal aid applications efficiently.
- Ensuring deserving applicants receive legal representation.
- Supporting technology-driven improvements in legal aid administration.
- Strengthening public confidence in the legal aid system.
These efforts can help make Supreme Court litigation more accessible for people from weaker sections of society.
Read also: Explained: Why Justice Nagarathna’s Statement on Greedy Judges Is a Wake-Up Call for India
