A TS challan that stays unpaid for too long eventually leaves the online system and moves to the virtual court. From that point, the quickest way to close it is the National Lok Adalat, and the last one this year in Telangana falls on 12 December 2026.
At the sitting, a bench at the district court complex reviews the challans on your vehicle, tells you what you owe and closes them once the amount is paid. There is no court fee, and the decision is final. Challans from the Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda police are covered along with those from district police, although drunk driving and accident cases are kept out.
In 2026, Telangana held its first two sittings on 28 March and 20 June, several weeks after most other states. It also helps not to expect the flat discounts seen in earlier challan drives, since any reduction is decided at the bench. An e-challan check beforehand will tell you which notices to take along.
Lok Adalat dates in Telangana 2026
- 28 March 2026: National Lok Adalat (held)
- 20 June 2026: National Lok Adalat, moved from 9 May (held)
- 12 September 2026: National Lok Adalat (held)
- 12 December 2026: National Lok Adalat (upcoming)
The Telangana State Legal Services Authority (TSLSA) announces each date on its website, usually a few weeks ahead. The 2027 schedule is yet to be released.
Table of Contents
Upcoming Lok Adalat in Telangana: 12 December 2026
- Date: Saturday, 12 December 2026
- Where: Court complexes across all districts of Telangana. The notice confirms the venue for each case.
- Who it is for: Owners with compoundable challans pending in the virtual court
- Registration: Through the TSLSA portal or at the help desk at the court
- What to expect: A short hearing, the amount fixed by the bench, and payment on the same day
What is Lok Adalat for traffic challans?
A Lok Adalat settles a pending case by agreement instead of a full trial. For a traffic challan, that usually means the bench reviews the notices against the vehicle, fixes the amount to be paid, and closes the case once it is paid. The settlement is final, and it cannot be appealed later.
Also Read: Lok Adalat 2026: What is Lok Adalat, dates, types and cases covered
Challans settled in Telangana Lok Adalat
Challans issued by traffic police anywhere in the state can be taken up, as long as the offence is compoundable.
| Offence | Applies to | MV Act section | Standard fine | Covered? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over-speeding | Both | Sec 183 | ₹1,000–₹2,000 (LMV) | Yes |
| Red light jumping / phone use while driving | Both | Sec 184 | ₹1,000–₹5,000 | Yes |
| Riding without a helmet | Bike | Sec 194D | ₹1,000 | Yes |
| Triple riding | Bike | Sec 194C | ₹1,000 | Yes |
| Driving without a seatbelt | Car | Sec 194B | ₹1,000 | Yes |
| Wrong lane / honking in a silence zone | Both | Sec 177 / 194(2) | ₹500 onwards | Yes |
| Not carrying licence, RC, insurance or PUC | Both | Sec 177 / 196 / 190(2) | ₹500 onwards | Yes |
| Drunk driving | Both | Sec 185 | ₹10,000 and/or jail | No |
| Rash driving causing injury / hit and run | Both | Criminal law | Court-decided | No |
These are the standard fines under the Motor Vehicles Act, 2019. Telangana notifies its own compounding amounts, and the bench decides the final figure.
How to settle a challan in Telangana Lok Adalat
Follow these steps to pay up your pending e-challan in Telangana:
Find out what is pending
Search the vehicle number on the Telangana traffic e-challan portal. Each pending challan is listed with its date, offence and amount, and challans that have moved to court are marked as such. Bike owners can run a separate bike challan check, and the court challan page shows the status of any notice already in the virtual court.
Register for the sitting
Registration is done on the TSLSA portal once the notice is out. Some people register at the help desk on the day itself, but registering in advance saves time in the queue.
Documents to carry
- Printouts of the pending challans
- RC and driving licence
- Insurance and PUC certificates
- Aadhaar card, voter ID or another photo ID
Appear before the bench and pay
At the venue, the help desk directs you to the right bench. The bench goes through your challans and confirms the amount. Payment is made at the Lok Adalat counter, and a receipt is issued. Keep it safe, because the portal may take a few days to update.
What if you miss the Lok Adalat in Telangana?
The challan does not lapse. It remains with the virtual court, and there are still ways to clear it.
| Route | What it means |
|---|---|
| Virtual court | Pay online at the amount fixed by the virtual court |
| Next sitting | Register for the first National Lok Adalat of 2027 |
| Contest in court | Appear before the magistrate if the challan is disputed |
Pending challans can also slow down an RC transfer, so it helps to clear them before you sell used car.
Also Read: Virtual Court Challan: How to Check, Pay or Contest Traffic Challans Step by Step
FAQs about Lok Adalat Challan Settlement in Telangana
Q. When is the next Lok Adalat in Telangana?
It is scheduled for 12 December 2026, the fourth and final sitting of the year. Telangana has shifted its dates before, as it did in March and May this year, so look at the TSLSA notice a week or two ahead to be sure.
Q. Is there a discount on traffic challans at Lok Adalat in Hyderabad?
Before the December 2025 sitting, Hyderabad traffic police made it clear that pending challans would not get a special discount. The bench can still lower an amount when it sees fit, though most people should go in expecting to pay close to the original fine.
Q. Where is Lok Adalat held in Hyderabad?
Each district holds its sitting at its own court complex, and the Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda areas are served by the courts in their jurisdiction. Your venue is mentioned in the TSLSA notice, and staff at the help desk will guide you to the bench once you arrive.
Q. Do I need a lawyer for Lok Adalat in Telangana?
Most people handle traffic challans on their own. The bench simply goes through the challans, confirms the amount and closes the case, so there is little to argue, and the hearing carries no court fee.
Q. Can I pay a Traffic challan online instead of going to Lok Adalat?
As long as the challan has not been forwarded to the virtual court, it can be paid on the Telangana traffic e-challan portal at the standard amount. After it is marked for court, your options narrow to the virtual court or a Lok Adalat sitting.
Q. What happens if I don’t pay traffic challans in Telangana?
Over time, an unpaid challan is passed on to the virtual court and can be followed by a court notice. It also stays linked to the vehicle, which tends to cause delays later, for instance when the RC has to be transferred after a sale.
