Paid Legal Internship at Competition Commission of India, New Delhi (Stipend Rs 15,000)

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) runs a structured internship programme for students of Law, Economics, Management and Finance who want hands-on exposure to competition law and its enforcement. If you are keen to understand how the Competition Act, 2002 actually works in practice, this is a chance to spend a month inside the country's competition regulator, working alongside its officers on real research.

The programme runs on a monthly cycle, with each batch beginning on the first working day of the month. Each month accommodates up to 15 interns, and a monthly honorarium of Rs 15,000 is paid on successful completion. This is a fully in-person internship at the CCI's offices in New Delhi.

The Competition Commission of India is a statutory body established under the Competition Act, 2002, responsible for enforcing competition law in India. Its mandate is to eliminate practices that have an adverse effect on competition, promote and sustain competition in markets, protect the interests of consumers, and ensure freedom of trade. The Commission's work spans antitrust enforcement, regulation of combinations (mergers and acquisitions), competition advocacy and capacity building.

Interns begin with a short induction programme on the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002 on the first day. You are then deputed to one of the Commission's divisions, where work is allocated and carried out under the guidance and supervision of an officer assigned to you by the Divisional Head.

At the end of the internship, each intern makes a presentation on the work done during the period. Completing this presentation is mandatory - if you do not present, neither the certificate nor the stipend is released. Interns are provided with basic logistic support including office space, an intercom, computer facilities and access to the Commission's library. This is a full-time programme, so you are expected to observe the Commission's working hours throughout.

The internship is open to Indian nationals only, drawn from recognised institutions and universities, with exposure to competition law. Importantly, students who already have a placement in hand are not eligible.

You can apply if you are pursuing one of the following:

• Law: Second and third year of the three-year LLB course; fourth and final year of the five-year integrated law course (including those who have cleared the third-year exam and are entering the fourth year); or LLM.
• Economics and Management: MA / MSc (Economics); fourth and final year of a five-year integrated degree in Economics; or MBA.
• Regulatory Governance: MA / MSc (Regulatory Governance).
• Professional Courses: Students of the final group of Chartered Accountancy, Cost Accountancy or Company Secretary.

The internship is normally for one month, commencing on the first working day of the month. If you wish to intern for 2-3 calendar months, you may apply for the longer period, provided your University, College or Institution recommends you for it.

A monthly honorarium of Rs 15,000 is paid as the stipend. Note that any unauthorised absence during working hours may extend the internship without honorarium, and the internship can be discontinued without payment if performance is not found satisfactory.

Applications must be made in the prescribed format only - applications in any other format are not entertained. The most convenient route is the CCI's online application form linked below. You may also send a completed printed application by post to The Secretary, Competition Commission of India, or email it to internships@cci.gov.in.

Your application must include:

• A recommendation from the competent authority of your academic institution (applications without this are not entertained).
• A Statement of Purpose of about 200 words covering a brief introduction of your proposed topic and the objectives of your study. Applications submitted without a Statement of Purpose are summarily rejected.

Specify the single calendar month (or months) for which you intend to apply. As a timing guide, your application should reach the Commission by the first of the month preceding the month you want to intern in.

• You are an Indian national in an eligible Law, Economics, Management, Finance or professional course
• You do not have a placement / job offer in hand
• Your institution's recommendation letter is ready
• Your Statement of Purpose (about 200 words) is drafted
• You have a recent passport-size photograph
• You have decided the calendar month you want to intern in and can be in New Delhi in person