Paid Fellowship | Justice S. Rangarajan Legal Aid Fellowship by ICLAA, New Delhi: Apply by October 3!

ICLAA, New Delhi, invites applications for the Justice S. Rangarajan Legal Aid Fellowship 2026. Apply by October 3.

About the Indian Council of Legal Aid and Advice

The Indian Council of Legal Aid and Advice (ICLAA), established in 1972, is among the oldest legal aid organisations in India. It was founded by eminent legal luminaries such as Justice Y.V. Chandrachud, Justice P.N. Bhagwati and Shri H.R. Gokhale, with the vision of promoting access to justice, and is currently chaired by Senior Advocate Sanjay Parikh.

About the Fellowship

The Justice S. Rangarajan Legal Aid Fellowship is a part-time fellowship based in New Delhi, spanning three months with the possibility of extension to six months. The programme is designed to equip early-career lawyers with practical experience in legal aid delivery and litigation, guided by experienced professionals in the field, and is conducted at the Delhi High Court under the auspices of the Council.

Objectives of the Fellowship

• To provide hands-on experience in litigation and legal aid services.
• To foster a deeper understanding of socio-legal issues such as environmental justice, gender rights, human rights violations and the rights of undertrials.
• To promote a long-term commitment to pro bono work and access to justice.

Roles and Responsibilities

Selected Fellows will be expected to:

• Provide legal advice and assistance to individuals approaching the Council.
• Conduct legal research on issues of public importance.
• Liaise with grassroots organisations that lack legal representation.
• Assist in planning and executing legal awareness initiatives in underserved communities.

Fellowship Structure and Benefits

• Fellows are required to contribute 20 hours per week in person at the Council’s office in the Delhi High Court.
• Regular mentorship and guidance will be provided by senior advocates and public interest practitioners.
• A stipend of INR 10,000 per month will be provided.
• Upon successful completion, Fellows will receive a Certificate of Completion from ICLAA.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be first-generation law graduates with 0 to 3 years of litigation experience.
• A demonstrated interest in human rights, access to justice or public interest law is essential.

Selection Process

Applications will be shortlisted based on the submitted documents. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, and the final selection will be made by a panel of experts appointed by ICLAA.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: 3rd October, 2026
• Interviews: 4th October, 2026
• Fellowship Commencement: 5th October, 2026

Contact

For any further information, please contact the Council at iclaa1973@gmail.com.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates must submit the following documents via email to iclaa1973@gmail.com: a Curriculum Vitae (CV); a Statement of Interest outlining the applicant’s motivation and relevant experiences; and a Writing Sample, being an article, blog, paper or research note on a socio-legal issue. If unavailable, a short write-up on a human rights issue in India in 2026 may be submitted.