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Legal Internships in India 2026
Internships are the single most important step in an Indian law student's career. They determine your first job, your practice area specialization, and your professional network. India's top law firms offer structured summer associate programmes with stipends, mentorship, and PPO (Pre-Placement Offer) opportunities.
Types of Legal Internships
1. Law Firm Summer Associate Programmes
The most sought-after internships in India. Tier 1 firms run formal programmes during May–July, with some offering winter slots (December–January).
| Firm | Duration | Stipend (Monthly) | PPO Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas | 8 weeks | ₹75,000 | ~90% |
| AZB & Partners | 6-8 weeks | ₹60,000 | ~85% |
| Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas | 8 weeks | ₹65,000 | ~85% |
| Trilegal | 8-12 weeks | ₹70,000–₹100,000 | ~90% |
| Khaitan & Co | 6-8 weeks | ₹55,000–₹65,000 | ~80% |
| JSA | 6-8 weeks | ₹40,000–₹50,000 | ~75% |
2. Corporate In-House Internships
Companies like Tata Sons, Reliance, HDFC Bank, Infosys, and Wipro offer legal internships in their in-house teams. These are ideal for students interested in corporate governance, compliance, and commercial contracts.
- Duration: 4-8 weeks
- Stipend: ₹15,000–₹40,000/month (varies widely by company)
- Best for: 3rd/4th year students exploring in-house career paths
3. Court Internships / Clerkships
Interning under senior advocates at the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, or District Courts. These are informal — students directly approach chambers.
- Supreme Court chambers (New Delhi) — Unpaid, but invaluable for litigation career
- High Court chambers — Bombay HC, Delhi HC, Karnataka HC, Madras HC
- Typical duration: 2-4 weeks
4. Government & Regulatory Body Internships
- NITI Aayog — Policy research internship for law students
- Law Commission of India — Legal research and reform
- Competition Commission of India (CCI) — Antitrust research
- NHRC / State Human Rights Commissions — Human rights law
- Legal Aid Services (NALSA/DLSA) — Pro bono legal aid
5. NGO & International Organization Internships
- UNHCR India — Refugee law, international humanitarian law
- Amnesty International — Human rights advocacy
- Centre for Policy Research (CPR) — Law and governance research
- Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy — Legislative drafting and policy
When to Apply
- Summer programmes (May–July) — Applications open October–January. NLU campus placements run in September–November.
- Winter internships (Dec–Jan) — Applications in August–October.
- Rolling applications — Mid-tier firms and corporates accept applications year-round.
Eligibility
- Tier 1 firms: Typically 4th/5th year of 5-year integrated LLB or 2nd/3rd year of 3-year LLB. Strong CGPA (7.5+ at NLUs) and moot court / law review experience preferred.
- Tier 2 firms / Corporates: 3rd year onwards. Less CGPA-focused, more skills-oriented.
- Courts / NGOs: Open to all years, including 1st year students.
Tips for Securing Top Internships
- Start early — Apply 3-6 months before the internship period
- Tailor your CV — Highlight relevant coursework, moots, publications, and prior internships
- Cover letter matters — Explain WHY that specific firm/practice area interests you
- Network at law school events — Firm partners visit NLUs for guest lectures and moot sponsorships
- Quality over quantity — One well-chosen internship at a top firm is worth more than five random placements
Browse all legal internships in India and set up internship alerts on LegalAlphabet.