Supreme Court of India
Apex court, New Delhi. Constitutional matters, appeals from High Courts, writs under Article 32. e-Filing and case status online.
Registry: 011-2311 6551
Official portalLegal Help — India
Where to go, whom to call, and which article of the Constitution of India stands behind you. Free legal aid is a right under Article 39A — you do not need money to be heard.
Court hierarchy & where to file
High Courts (25 in India)
One per state or group of states. Writ jurisdiction under Article 226, appeals from district courts, supervision of subordinate courts.
See your High Court site
Official portalDistrict & Sessions Courts
Principal civil and criminal courts of original jurisdiction in each district, headed by the District & Sessions Judge.
Via district e-Courts page
Official portalSubordinate / Local Courts
Civil Judge (Junior & Senior Division), Judicial Magistrate First Class, Metropolitan Magistrate, Small Causes and Family Courts.
Via district court registry
Official portalLok Adalat & Mediation Centres
Settlement forums under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Awards are final and binding, no court fee, quick disposal.
NALSA: 15100
Official portalTribunals (NCLT, NGT, CAT, Consumer)
Specialised forums for company, environment, service and consumer disputes. Consumer complaints can be filed online on e-Daakhil.
Consumer helpline: 1915
Official portalNational helpline numbers
NALSA Free Legal Aid
15100
Police Emergency
112
Women's Helpline
1091 / 181
Child Helpline
1098
Senior Citizen Helpline
14567
Cyber Crime Helpline
1930
National Consumer Helpline
1915
Anti-Corruption / CVC
1964
SC/ST Atrocity Helpline
14566
Labour Helpline (Shram Suvidha)
1800-11-0111
Tele-MANAS Mental Health
14416
Suicide Prevention (KIRAN)
1800-599-0019
Find a lawyer or file online
- NALSA — free legal aid & DLSA locator
- Department of Justice — Tele-Law (free advice)
- Bar Council of India — verify an advocate
- e-Courts Services — case status & cause lists
- National Judicial Data Grid
- e-Daakhil — consumer complaints online
- National Commission for Women complaint portal
- National Human Rights Commission (HRCNet)
- Cyber Crime reporting portal
- India Code — full text of Indian laws
Articles of the Constitution you should know
Article 14
Equality before the law and equal protection of the laws for every person.
Article 15
Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
Article 19
Freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement and trade.
Article 20
Protection against ex-post-facto laws, double jeopardy and self-incrimination.
Article 21
Right to life and personal liberty — includes dignity, privacy, health, livelihood and a speedy fair trial.
Article 21A
Free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14.
Article 22
Protection on arrest: grounds must be told, right to counsel, production before a magistrate within 24 hours.
Article 32
Right to move the Supreme Court directly to enforce fundamental rights.
Article 226
Power of High Courts to issue writs for rights and any other purpose.
Article 39A
State must provide free legal aid so justice is not denied to any citizen for economic reasons.
Article 141
Law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all courts in India.
Article 142
Supreme Court may pass any order needed to do complete justice.
Also useful: Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 (free aid & Lok Adalats), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (criminal procedure), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (offences), Consumer Protection Act 2019, and the Right to Information Act 2005. Verify current provisions on indiacode.nic.in before relying on them.