Legal Internship at National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), New Delhi (1 Month)
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).Overview
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is inviting law students from across the country to apply for its Internship Programme. This is a one-month, full-time, in-person internship at NALSA in New Delhi, designed to give you hands-on exposure to how India's apex legal-services body works to make access to justice a reality for the weaker sections of society.
The internship runs on a rolling cycle: the application form for a given month is open for two months, ending in the month before the internship month. The internship is unpaid, but it offers something many paid internships cannot: a close-up view of legal aid, Lok Adalats, and the machinery that delivers free legal services nationwide.
About the organiser
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free legal services to the weaker sections of society and to organise Lok Adalats for the amicable settlement of disputes. It sits at the top of a country-wide network of State and District Legal Services Authorities and Taluk Legal Services Committees, all working to ensure that no citizen is denied justice for want of means.
About the internship
The programme aims to acquaint young law students with the working of NALSA by giving them hands-on experience across various specialised areas of legal services, thereby promoting access to justice. As an intern, you will be placed at the NALSA office in New Delhi and work alongside its officers on the Authority's day-to-day mandate.
At the end of the internship, every intern is required to submit a report on the work undertaken at NALSA.
Who can apply
You are eligible if you are:
- Pursuing a Three-Year LL.B. course, or a Five-Year Integrated Law course, from any recognised University / College / Institution.
Preference will be given to students in the 2nd or 3rd year of the Three-Year LL.B. course, and the 4th or 5th year of the Five-Year Integrated Law course.
Duration and what to expect
The internship runs for one month (four weeks) and starts on the 1st day of the month.
- This is a full-time, in-person internship, to be attended physically. You are not expected to pursue any other course or work during the internship.
- Office timings are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, unless otherwise permitted by the concerned officer.
- Interns work six days a week, Monday to Saturday (the second and fourth Saturdays of each month are holidays).
- You may be required to travel locally to visit courts and other offices as needed.
- The dress code is formal black and white, as prescribed by the Bar Council of Delhi.
- Carry your own laptop for smooth completion of internship tasks.
- Arrange your own accommodation; NALSA does not provide any TA/DA, stipend, or remuneration.
- In the event of unsatisfactory performance, you may be asked to discontinue the internship.
What it costs and what you get
There is no application fee, and the internship is unpaid (no stipend, remuneration, or TA/DA is paid).
On successful completion to the satisfaction of the Member Secretary, NALSA, you will be awarded a Certificate of Internship. The certificate is granted subject to 90% attendance during the internship, so you are advised not to apply during your college examinations. Please note that no letter of recommendation is provided by the Authority.
How to apply
Applications are accepted online only, through the official form. No other means of request for an internship will be entertained.
- Fill out the online application form and upload all required documents before the last date for the month you are applying for.
- Documents required: your Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume; an Expression of Interest (a one-page or shorter write-up explaining your interest in, and suitability for, the programme); and a No Objection Certificate from the appropriate authority (Dean, Head of Department, Internship & Placement Committee, or other higher authority) mandatorily mentioning your name and the semester/year of your course.
Selection is based on individual merit, and the orders of the Competent Authority in this regard are final. The application window for a given month opens for two months, ending the month before the internship month (for example, for a January internship, the form is open from 1 September to 30 November). Check the official NALSA page for the months currently open.
Application checklist
- Confirm you are in an eligible year of a 3-year LL.B. or 5-year integrated course
- Updated CV / Resume ready
- Expression of Interest (one page or shorter)
- No Objection Certificate naming you and your semester/year
- Submit the online form before the last date for your chosen internship month