The Department of Legal Affairs Internship is meant for law students and law graduates who want direct exposure to the working of the Ministry of Law and Justice. The internship is not a classroom programme. It involves research, referencing work, court-related exposure and legal work connected with specialised areas such as constitutional law, administrative law, finance law, infrastructure law, economic law, labour law, conveyancing, arbitration and contract law.
The Department of legal Affairs internship is usually held for one month and starts from the first working day of every month, unless the Department specifies otherwise. It is a full-time physical internship, and interns are not expected to pursue any other course or work during the internship period.
The latest visible application cycle on the Department of Legal Affairs internship page closes on 12 June 2026 at 5:00 PM. Candidates should keep checking the official internship portal for the next application window instead of relying only on old third-party deadlines.
Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Internship Name | Department of Legal Affairs Internship Programme |
| Department | Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India |
| Eligible Candidates | Indian law students and law graduates |
| Minimum Academic Stage | Students who have passed 2nd year of a 3-year law degree or 3rd year of a 5-year law degree |
| Law Graduates | Eligible, if the law degree has been completed from a recognised college, law school or university |
| Preferred Skill | Advanced computer knowledge such as MS Office, infographics and Adobe tools |
| Duration | Usually one month |
| Start Date | Normally from the first working day of every month, unless specified |
| Mode | Full-time physical internship |
| Working Hours | 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, unless otherwise permitted by the controlling officer |
| Possible Deployment Locations | Main Secretariat New Delhi, Central Agency Section at Supreme Court, Litigation HC Section Delhi, and Branch Secretariats at Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru |
| Honorarium | ₹1,000 may be given after completion of internship |
| Certificate | Issued only after satisfactory completion, including 90% attendance and satisfactory remarks |
| Latest Visible Deadline | 12 June 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Application Mode | Online through the Department of Legal Affairs internship portal |
About
The Department of Legal Affairs organises this internship for young law students and graduates. The stated purpose is to acquaint them with the working of the Department by giving exposure to research and referencing work, court functioning and legal advisory work in specialised fields of law.
This internship is suitable for candidates who want to understand how legal work is handled inside a government department. It is especially relevant for students interested in public law, litigation support, government advisory work, arbitration, contracts and policy-linked legal research.
The internship at Department of Legal Affairs should not be treated as a job offer or a route to assured employment. The official guidelines clearly state that the internship is neither employment nor an assurance of employment with the Department.
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Eligibility Criteria
The Department of Legal Affairs Internship is open only to Indian students pursuing law and to candidates who have already completed their LLB degree from a recognised college, law school or university.
| Candidate Category | Eligibility Requirement |
| 3-year LLB students | Students pursuing the 2nd or 3rd year of a 3-year law degree course can apply. |
| 5-year integrated LLB students | Students pursuing the 3rd, 4th or 5th year of a 5-year law degree course can apply. |
| Law graduates | Candidates who have completed their LLB from a recognised college, law school or university can apply. |
| Nationality | The internship is for Indian students. |
| Academic institution | The law course or degree should be from a recognised college, law school or university. |
The eligibility condition is stage-specific. First-year students of a 3-year LLB course and first or second-year students of a 5-year integrated law course do not fall under the stated eligibility criteria.
Skills That Can Strengthen the Application
The Department states that candidates with advanced computer knowledge may be given preference. This includes working knowledge of tools such as MS Office, infographics and Adobe. This is useful because interns may be assigned research, documentation, referencing and presentation-related work during the internship.
MS Word for legal notes, drafts and reports
- MS Excel for structured data and reference tracking
- PowerPoint for presentations and summaries
- Infographic tools for visual explainers
- Adobe tools for document formatting or design support
These skills do not replace the legal eligibility requirement. They only support the application where the Department considers them relevant.
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Duration, Mode and Working Hours
The Department of Legal Affairs Internship is ordinarily conducted for a period of one month. The internship normally starts from the first working day of every month, unless the Department mentions a different schedule for a particular cycle.
| Particular | Official Detail |
| Duration | Ordinarily one month |
| Start of internship | First working day of every month, unless specified otherwise |
| Mode | Physical internship |
| Type | Full-time internship |
| Working hours | 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, unless otherwise permitted by the controlling officer |
| Other work or course during internship | Not allowed during the internship tenure |
This is not a remote or part-time internship. Selected interns have to report physically at the location or office where they are deployed. The official guidelines also make it clear that interns are not expected to pursue another course or work during the internship period.
Attendance Requirement
A minimum of 90% attendance is required for satisfactory completion of the internship. Attendance is not only a formality because it is linked to the certificate of internship.
Accommodation and Travel
Interns have to make their own accommodation arrangements during the internship. The Department does not state any hostel, travel or relocation support in the internship guidelines.
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Work Areas and Exposure
The Department of Legal Affairs Internship gives law students exposure to legal work handled inside a government department. The work may include research, referencing, legal advice-related support and exposure to specialised legal subjects handled by the Department.
Legal Areas Mentioned in the Guidelines
| Area | What Interns May Learn From It |
| Constitutional law | Research connected with constitutional provisions, government powers, rights and institutional functioning. |
| Administrative law | Work related to government decisions, administrative action, public authorities and legal compliance. |
| Finance law | Legal research connected with financial matters, public funds and government-linked financial issues. |
| Infrastructure law | Exposure to legal issues linked with infrastructure projects, government contracts and approvals. |
| Economic law | Research on laws connected with economic governance and public policy. |
| Labour law | Understanding issues connected with employment, labour regulation and workplace-related legal provisions. |
| Conveyancing | Exposure to drafting and legal documentation connected with transfer or handling of rights and property-related matters. |
| Arbitration law | Research and referencing connected with dispute resolution outside regular court proceedings. |
| Contract law | Work connected with agreements, obligations, clauses and government contracts. |
Type of Work Interns Should Expect
Legal research on assigned topics
- Referencing of statutes, judgments, rules and government documents
- Preparation of short notes or research summaries
- Assistance in work connected with legal advice
- Observation of government legal processes, depending on deployment
- Preparation of internship report at the end of the programme
The actual work can differ according to the officer, section or office where the intern is posted. Candidates should therefore apply with the expectation of research-heavy, documentation-based and government-facing legal work.
Honorarium and Certificate
The Department of Legal Affairs Internship is not a salaried internship. However, the official guidelines mention an honorarium of ₹1,000 for interns after completion of the internship.
| Particular | Details |
| Honorarium | ₹1,000 |
| When it is given | After completion of the internship |
| Certificate | Issued after satisfactory completion of the internship |
| Minimum attendance for certificate | 90% |
| Performance condition | Satisfactory remarks from the concerned officer or section |
The certificate is not automatic. Interns have to complete the internship properly, maintain the required attendance and submit the required report. The concerned officer or section must also record satisfactory remarks.
When the Certificate May Not Be Issued
The Department can withhold the internship certificate if the intern does not meet the required conditions. This can happen if the intern fails to maintain attendance, does not submit the internship report or receives unsatisfactory remarks from the assigned officer or section.
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Rules, Attendance and Terms
The Department of Legal Affairs Internship has strict terms because interns work inside a government office environment. Candidates should read these rules before applying, especially if they are planning to travel from another city.
Attendance and Working Hours
Interns have to follow the office working hours of 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, unless the controlling officer permits otherwise. They also need to maintain at least 90% attendance during the internship period.
Full-Time Internship Rule
The internship is full-time. Interns are not allowed to pursue another course or work during the internship period. This condition is also reflected in the No Objection Certificate format, where the institution has to certify that the student is not registered for any course requiring class attendance during the internship period.
Non-Disclosure Agreement
Selected interns have to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before starting the internship. This is important because interns may be exposed to official records, legal files, internal notes or government-related legal work.
Interns should not share documents, internal information, office discussions or assigned work outside the Department unless they are authorised to do so.
Dress Code
Interns have to follow formal dress code during the internship. Since this is a government office internship, casual dressing should be avoided.
Conduct Inside the Office
The internship requires professional conduct. Interns are expected to report on time, complete assigned work, follow the instructions of the concerned officer or section and maintain confidentiality.
| Rule | What Interns Should Do |
| Attendance | Maintain at least 90% attendance. |
| Timing | Follow 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM working hours unless permitted otherwise. |
| Confidentiality | Sign and follow the Non-Disclosure Agreement. |
| Dress code | Wear formal clothing suitable for a government office. |
| Office discipline | Follow instructions from the assigned officer or section. |
| Internship report | Submit the report at the end of the internship. |
| Other work or classes | Do not pursue another course or work during the internship period. |
How to Prepare Before Joining
Selected candidates should prepare for the Department of Legal Affairs internship before the joining date because the work can involve legal research, document review, short notes and referencing. Basic preparation can help interns use the one-month period better.
Before the Internship Starts
- Read the internship guidelines again after selection.
- Check the reporting location and office contact details.
- Arrange accommodation if the posting is outside your city.
- Keep a printed and digital copy of selection communication.
- Carry identity proof and college ID if applicable.
- Prepare formal clothing for office attendance.
- Revise basic constitutional law, administrative law, contract law and arbitration law.
During the Internship
- Report on time every working day.
- Maintain a daily record of assigned work.
- Note down research questions, cases and statutes referred during the internship.
- Ask for clarification before submitting legal research notes.
- Do not take photos or copies of internal documents without permission.
- Keep the internship report ready before the final week.
After the Internship
- Submit the internship report as required.
- Check whether all attendance records are complete.
- Follow up only through proper official channels if the certificate is pending.
- Use the internship experience carefully in your CV without disclosing confidential work.
Who Should Apply for This Internship?
This internship is best suited for law students and graduates who want exposure to government legal work. It is especially useful for candidates interested in public law, legal research, litigation support and policy-linked legal documentation.
| Good Fit | Why It Fits |
| Students interested in government legal work | The internship takes place within the Department of Legal Affairs. |
| Students interested in litigation support | Deployment may include the Central Agency Section or Litigation HC Section. |
| Students strong in research and referencing | The work can include legal research, referencing and short-note preparation. |
| Students interested in public law | The listed areas include constitutional law and administrative law. |
| Law graduates exploring legal policy work | The internship gives short-term exposure to legal work handled by a government department. |
The internship at Department of Legal Affairs may not be suitable for candidates looking for remote work, high stipend, flexible hours or corporate law firm-style assignments. It is a short, physical, government office internship with fixed working hours and strict conduct rules.
FAQs
Indian law students and law graduates can apply. Students pursuing a 3-year LLB course should have passed at least the 2nd year. Students pursuing a 5-year integrated law course should have passed at least the 3rd year. Law graduates from recognised colleges, law schools or universities can also apply.
The internship is conducted in physical mode. Selected interns have to report to the office or section where they are deployed. It is not a remote internship.
The internship is ordinarily for one month. It usually starts from the first working day of every month, unless the Department specifies a different schedule for a particular cycle
The official guidelines mention an honorarium of ₹1,000 after completion of the internship. It should not be treated as a monthly salary or high-stipend internship
Interns may be deployed at the Main Secretariat in New Delhi, Central Agency Section at the Supreme Court, Litigation HC Section in Delhi, or Branch Secretariats at Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. Final deployment depends on the Department’s requirement.
Yes, current law students need a No Objection Certificate from their college or university. The NOC should follow the official format and should be issued on institutional letterhead. Law graduates do not need NOC but must submit their final year certificate.
The official guidelines state that interns are selected through a written examination conducted by the Indian Law Institute, New Delhi. The written test is used for merit-based ranking and selection.
Yes. Interns need at least 90% attendance for satisfactory completion. The certificate is issued only after satisfactory completion of the internship, including attendance, report submission and satisfactory remarks from the concerned officer or section.
No. The internship is full-time. The official terms state that interns should not pursue another course or work during the internship period.
No. The internship is not employment and does not assure employment with the Department of Legal Affairs or the Ministry of Law and Justice.
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