Paid Legal Jobs at Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), New Delhi: Young Professional, Associate and Consultant (Rs 50,000 - Rs 2,65,000 per month, 5 Posts)

The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) was established by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, to build capacity within the Ministry and other agencies and to provide legal and technical inputs on international trade and investment law. It functions as a think tank and advisory centre on legal issues under the World Trade Organization (WTO), free trade agreements and other international economic law issues.

Through an advertisement dated 25 September 2026 (File No. CRITES-11013/5/2026-CTIL), CTIL intends to engage 5 lawyers on a contractual basis, to join immediately: 2 Young Professionals, 2 Associates and 1 Consultant. The number of posts is indicative and may be increased or decreased.

The selected lawyers will work on trade-related issues across multilateral and bilateral agreements, including:

• Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, and Trade and Sustainable Development;
• Intellectual Property Rights, Geographical Indications, innovation and MSMEs;
• Trade Remedies and Dispute Settlement;
• Regulatory Practices, Competition, Government Procurement, Anti-Corruption and Transparency;
• Rules of Origin, Trade Facilitation and Non-Tariff Measures;
• Investment Protection and Agriculture.

• Candidates must be Indian nationals and should preferably hold a master's degree in law.
• Excellent legal professional skills, with demonstrated interest and/or experience in international law, international trade law, investment law and the related fields above.
• Strong written and spoken communication and presentation skills in English, and strong research, drafting and legal analytical skills.
• Strong preference for candidates with experience in trade negotiations and settlement of international trade disputes.

PQE means post-qualification experience gained after completing a law degree. For PhD holders, up to three years of the PhD are counted as experience, provided no work experience is counted during those years.

• Young Professional (without prior experience), Rs 50,000 per month: not more than 28 years of age; an LL.B., or a master's degree in economics, diplomacy, international relations, public policy, data science, general management, cost accounting or a related discipline, from a university in the top 25 of the latest NIRF ranking, or from a reputed university or discipline in the top 100 of a recognised world ranking such as QS or Times Higher Education. No prior work experience required.
• Young Professional (with prior experience), Rs 60,000 per month: not more than 35 years of age; a master's degree in economics, law, international law, public policy, data science, cost accounting or a related discipline with at least 55% at bachelor's and master's levels; minimum 1 year of PQE.
• Associate, Rs 80,000 to Rs 1,45,000 per month: not more than 45 years of age; a master's degree in the same disciplines with at least 55% at bachelor's and master's levels; minimum 3 years of PQE, of which at least 1 year in international trade or an allied field.
• Consultant, Rs 1,45,000 to Rs 2,65,000 per month (with PhD) or Rs 1,37,500 to Rs 2,65,000 per month (without PhD): not more than 50 years of age; a master's degree in the same disciplines with at least 55% at bachelor's and master's levels; minimum 8 years of PQE, of which at least 3 years in international trade or an allied field. The advertisement adds that Consultant candidates with a PhD will be considered for Senior Research Fellow (with PhD) and those without a PhD for Senior Research Fellow (without PhD).

For the Young Professional (with experience), Associate and Consultant posts, relevant work experience or research in international trade, economics, economic diplomacy, international law, investment or public policy is desirable.

All selected candidates are appointed on a contract basis for one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance and requirements, at a fixed monthly remuneration. Within the range for the position, remuneration is fixed on the basis of years of experience and, only in exceptional cases decided by the Selection Committee, last pay drawn.

The post is based at the CTIL office, NAFED House, New Delhi.

Applications are accepted only through the separate online application links for each position, given in the advertisement and listed under Important Links below:

• Young Professional (without prior experience)
• Young Professional (with prior experience)
• Associate
• Consultant (without PhD)
• Consultant (with PhD)

The last date is 9 October 2026. There is no application fee mentioned in the advertisement.

Applications are evaluated and only shortlisted candidates are contacted by email for the second round, a written test and interview. The written test assesses competence in international trade law, international investment law or the wider discipline of international economic law. Documents are verified against originals at the interview.

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not by itself entitle a candidate to be called. CTIL/IIFT may shortlist in any manner it considers appropriate, may choose not to fill the posts, and will not entertain correspondence about postal delays, interviews or results.