Applications are open for the Criminal Justice Student Fellowship (2026–27) at The Square Circle Clinic, NALSAR University of Law.
- About The Square Circle Clinic, NALSAR University of Law
- About the Opportunity
- Number of Positions
- Duration
- Start Date
- Mode
- Location
- Stipend
- Deadline
- Workload
- Practice Areas
- Perks
- Eligibility Criteria
- Roles & Responsibilities
- Legal Research
- Litigation Support
- Mitigation Investigation
- Strategic Communications
- Independent Research
- Administrative Support
- Contact
- Application Procedure
About The Square Circle Clinic, NALSAR University of Law
The Square Circle Clinic is a criminal justice initiative at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, with offices in Delhi, Pune, and Nagpur. Established in April 2025 by the team that built and led Project 39A between 2013 and 2025, the Clinic undertakes pro bono legal work and research focused on fairness within India’s criminal justice system.
Its work spans multiple areas, including the death penalty, forensic science, mental health and criminal justice, wrongful convictions, criminalisation and punishment, prevention of torture, and the use of science and technology in criminal justice.
About the Opportunity
The Square Circle Clinic is inviting applications for its Criminal Justice Student Fellowship for the 2026–27 academic year. This is a 12-month intensive fellowship through which selected Fellows will work closely with the Clinic’s litigation, mitigation, research, and communications teams.
The Fellowship is designed to provide practical exposure to the functioning of a defence-oriented criminal justice organisation while enabling Fellows to engage in in-depth legal research, strategic thinking, and an independent research project under the guidance of members of the Clinic.
Number of Positions
Three Fellows will be selected for the programme.
Duration
The Fellowship will be conducted for a period of 12 months.
Start Date
The Fellowship is scheduled to commence in mid-August 2026.
Mode
The Fellowship can be undertaken remotely. However, Fellows will be required to complete eight weeks of in-person work at the Clinic’s Delhi office during the Fellowship period.
Location
The Fellowship will primarily be conducted remotely, with mandatory in-person engagement at the Delhi office for a cumulative period of eight weeks.
Stipend
Selected Fellows will receive a stipend of ₹60,000 upon successful completion of the Fellowship.
Deadline
The last date to submit applications is 5:00 PM on July 31, 2026.
Workload
Fellows will be expected to devote a minimum of 15 hours per week during the academic year. Depending on the requirements of criminal defence work, additional time may occasionally be required.
Practice Areas
The Fellowship provides exposure to criminal law and criminal justice, including death penalty litigation, forensic science, mental health and criminal justice, wrongful convictions, criminalisation of poverty, prevention of torture, and science and technology in criminal justice.
Perks
The equivalent of II-AC train fare will be reimbursed for mandatory travel to the Delhi office. Travel and accommodation support will also be provided if Fellows are required to attend the induction programme in Delhi.
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Eligibility Criteria
- Students enrolled in the III, IV, or V year of the integrated five-year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme during the academic year 2026–27 are eligible to apply.
- Students enrolled in the II or III year of the three-year LL.B. programme during the academic year 2026–27 are also eligible.
Roles & Responsibilities
Legal Research
- Assist with doctrinal, interdisciplinary, philosophical, and empirical legal research.
- Contribute to reports, academic publications, and ongoing research projects.
- Collect and analyse empirical data relating to criminal justice.
Litigation Support
- Assist the litigation team in preparing death penalty and other strategic litigation matters.
- Conduct legal research and analyse case records.
- Prepare case briefs and support ongoing litigation.
Mitigation Investigation
- Assist in developing comprehensive life histories of prisoners sentenced to death.
- Document interviews and undertake interdisciplinary research relevant to mitigation reports.
Strategic Communications
- Prepare blogs, social media content, and other public engagement materials aimed at making criminal justice issues accessible to a wider audience.
Independent Research
- Undertake an independent research project under the guidance and supervision of members of the Clinic.
Administrative Support
- Assist with administrative tasks as required and undertake responsibilities based on organisational priorities.
Contact
Email: squarecircleinternships@nalsar.ac.in
Application Procedure
Interested candidates may apply through the following:
Applicants must upload:
- Resumé
- Statement of Purpose (not exceeding 700 words)
- Writing Sample (not exceeding 1,200 words, excluding footnotes) on an issue related to criminal justice
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on July 31, 2026.
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