Justice BV Nagarathna Appointed Chairperson Of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee
Quick appointment update, and it involves a judge you should already know. Justice BV Nagarathna has been made Chairperson of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, effective June 29, 2026, replacing the retired Justice JK Maheshwari. Here's the thing, the SCLSC works under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, and provides free legal aid to eligible persons in Supreme Court matters. That connects straight to Article 39A, which directs the State to provide free legal aid. And by convention, the third senior-most judge of the Supreme Court heads this committee. Bottom line for the exam, pair three things together: Justice Nagarathna, the SCLSC, and the 1987 Act read with Article 39A.
The Chief Justice of India has nominated Supreme Court Judge Justice Bangalore Venkataramiah (BV) Nagarathna as the Chairperson of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) with effect from June 29, 2026.
This follows the retirement of Justice JK Maheshwari, who was heading the SCLSC earlier. As per convention, the third senior judge of the Supreme Court heads the SCLSC.
The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee functions under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, and is responsible for providing free legal services to eligible persons in matters before the Supreme Court. It also processes applications for legal aid and appoints legal services counsel for beneficiaries in deserving cases.