TRANSFORMING LEGAL AID IN INDIA: CAN AI BRIDGE THE JUSTICE DIVIDE?

Legal aid is essential in promoting access to justice for marginalized and impoverished sections of the society. Nevertheless, challenges such as an overburdened court system, lack of legal aid lawyers, and procedural complexities continue to hinder effective legal assistance in India. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has a transformative potential in bridging the justice gap by enhancing the functioning of legal aid, streamlining processes, and offering timely and competent legal information. The present paper analyzes the potential of AI-based tools such as chatbots, predictive analytics, and automated legal research in enhancing the accessibility and quality of legal aid in the Indian context. It also delves into the ethical, legal, and governance challenges that may arise due to the implementation of AI, including bias, data privacy concerns, and the digital divide. By surveying the global best practices and the analyzed legal aid mechanism in India, this paper attempts to ascertain the possibility of AI serving as one effective solution to make legal aid more effective and an avenue toward achieving a more inclusive justice system. The study concludes by providing recommendations regarding implementing AI in India's legal aid system while ensuring justice, transparency, and accessibility.