Difference between Public Interest Litigation and Class Action Suit

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is filed to protect the rights of the public or a marginalized group, even by someone not personally affected.

In India, PILs can be filed under Article 32 (Supreme Court) and Article 226 (High Courts), and were popularized by Justice P.N. Bhagwati to ensure access to justice for all.

In contrast, a Class Action Suit is filed by a group of people with the same grievance against a common defendant, typically in civil matters like consumer or shareholder disputes.

While both serve collective interests, PILs focus on public welfare; class actions address shared private harms.