Lawyer Fellowship Programme at National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam, with Azim Premji Foundation (One Year; Advocates Practising in Assam)

The National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA), Assam invites applications from eligible early-career advocates practising in Assam for the forthcoming cohort of its Lawyer Fellowship Programme, a one-year, field-embedded fellowship offered in collaboration with the Azim Premji Foundation. Applications opened on 23 September 2026.

The Fellowship is an intensive track for practitioners with early experience who are ready to deepen their competence and step into leadership. Over one year, Fellows handle real casework (legal aid, public interest litigation and rights-based advocacy) under the close guidance of senior practitioners and NLUJA faculty, while also mentoring junior lawyers and leading community outreach.

For Fellows drawn from Assam, the programme places particular emphasis on the region's distinctive legal landscape: customary legal systems, special constitutional arrangements, and access-to-justice challenges in remote districts, building a network of practitioners capable of addressing both local disputes and wider rights-based concerns.

• Who: Advocates with 2 to 5 years of continuous practice.
• Where: Practising in Assam.
• Duration: One year, field-embedded, with in-person intensives at NLUJA, Assam.
• Cohort: 6 Fellows selected for Assam.
• Mode: Blended: field placement, periodic in-person blocks and weekly online sessions.
• Award: Certificate of Fellowship from NLUJA, Assam, with an end-line impact brief.

You are eligible to apply if you meet all of the following:

• Enrolled as an advocate with a State Bar Council.
• 2 to 5 years of continuous practice (minimum 2, maximum 5) as on the last date for applications.
• Currently practising in Assam.
• Proven engagement in trial / lower-court litigation, legal aid, or rights-based / community work.
• Potential to independently manage legal-aid cases and to contribute to systemic legal reform.
• Capacity and willingness to mentor junior lawyers.
• Able to commit to the full one-year tenure, including in-person intensive blocks at NLUJA, Assam, and placement in a designated district.

Preference will be given to applicants practising in trial and lower courts and to those with a demonstrated commitment to public-interest law and community engagement.

• Handle end-to-end casework (legal aid matters, public interest litigation and systemic advocacy) under senior mentorship.
• Be embedded in a designated district or block, working with the State and District Legal Services Authorities, NGOs and community-based organisations.
• Mentor junior advocates and CLE participants, and facilitate peer-learning workshops and simulations.
• Lead legal-awareness initiatives and rights-based outreach, and train local stakeholders such as paralegals and community volunteers.
• Attend periodic in-person intensives at NLUJA, Assam, and weekly online sessions on case strategy, advanced topics and project management.

• Intensive, structured mentorship from a senior mentor (a High Court / Senior Advocate).
• Exposure to complex casework and a cross-jurisdictional network of practitioners across the North-East.
• A Certificate of Fellowship from NLUJA, Assam, with an end-line impact brief; an optional letter of recommendation for those completing with distinction.
• Advanced workshops and access to NLUJA's academic resources and legal databases during in-person blocks.
• Stipend / financial support and accommodation for in-person blocks, to be paid as per project guidelines. The call does not state an amount.

The call states that at least 40% of Fellows will be women, and at least 30% will be drawn from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other marginalised backgrounds. Selection also gives attention to geographical balance across districts. Applications from women, persons with disabilities and candidates from marginalised communities are especially encouraged.

• Application submitted through the official email ID (see How to apply).
• Application dossier: case history, a self-authored writing sample and a statement of purpose.
• Shortlisting on the basis of prior commitment to legal aid, rights-based advocacy or community engagement.
• Two-stage interview, one online and one in-person, before a panel of senior advocates, academics and representatives of the Legal Services Authorities. Dates are to be notified to the candidates concerned.
• Final selection of Fellows, with a waitlist maintained in reserve. Orientation and commencement are tentatively scheduled for November 2026.

• A statement of purpose (500 to 800 words) on why you seek the Fellowship and what you hope to achieve.
• A self-authored writing sample (a pleading, legal opinion, article or note), with all client-identifying details anonymised.
• A short, anonymised case history of matters you have handled.
• Your curriculum vitae, Bar enrolment certificate, law degree, a government photo ID and, if applicable, category / disability certificates.
• Contact details for two referees who can speak to your practice and character.

All information and documents submitted must be true and correct; misrepresentation will lead to disqualification. Client confidentiality must be maintained throughout.

Applications are accepted only by email. Send all the required documents to registrar@nluassam.ac.in on or before 3 October 2026. The call mentions no application fee. Dates are indicative and will be confirmed by the University.