Criminal Justice Student Fellowships 2026–27 at The Square Circle Clinic, NALSAR University of Law
Job Details
- Position: Criminal Justice Student Fellowships (2026–27)
- Organization: The Square Circle Clinic, NALSAR University of Law
- Number of Positions: 3
- Category: Fellowship Opportunity
- Application Start Date: 17 July 2026
- Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
- Duration: 12 Months
- Mode: Fellowship Programme
- Location: New Delhi, Pune, Nagpur, and Hyderabad
About The Square Circle Clinic
The Square Circle Clinic is a criminal justice initiative operating under NALSAR University of Law. The clinic focuses on strengthening access to justice through legal representation, research, and public engagement in matters related to criminal law and human rights.
The organization works across multiple locations, including:
- New Delhi
- Pune
- Nagpur
- Hyderabad
Its core areas of work include:
- Criminal justice reform
- Death penalty litigation
- Legal aid initiatives
- Forensic justice
- Prevention of torture
- Mental health and criminal justice
- Rights of undertrial prisoners
- Research on punishment and criminalisation
The team behind The Square Circle Clinic previously carried out similar criminal justice initiatives through Project 39A before transitioning to NALSAR University of Law in April 2025.
About the Criminal Justice Student Fellowship 2026–27
The Criminal Justice Student Fellowship is a one-year intensive programme designed for students interested in criminal law, legal research, litigation, and policy development.
During the fellowship period, selected fellows will work closely with different teams within the clinic and gain practical exposure to various aspects of criminal justice work in India.
Key Learning Opportunities
Fellows will have the opportunity to:
- Assist litigation teams on criminal justice matters
- Support mitigation and case preparation work
- Contribute to legal and policy research projects
- Participate in communication and public engagement initiatives
- Understand the functioning of a defence-oriented criminal justice organization
- Explore challenges within India’s criminal justice system
- Develop research and analytical skills
- Engage in strategic thinking on contemporary criminal justice issues
- Conduct independent research under expert supervision
- Produce research outputs and publications with guidance from clinic members
Fellowship Highlights
- 12-month structured fellowship programme
- Direct exposure to criminal justice litigation and research
- Opportunity to work with experienced legal professionals and researchers
- Hands-on learning in legal aid and prisoner rights issues
- Mentorship from criminal justice experts
- Independent research opportunities
- Exposure to policy, advocacy, and public engagement work
Who Should Apply?
This fellowship may be particularly valuable for:
- Law students interested in criminal law
- Students pursuing legal research careers
- Aspiring litigators
- Individuals interested in human rights and access to justice
- Students seeking practical exposure to India’s criminal justice system
Important Dates
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 17 July 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 31 July 2026 |
| Fellowship Duration | 12 Months |
| Available Positions | 3 |
Apply Now
Interested candidates should submit their applications before 31 July 2026 as per the official fellowship notification issued by The Square Circle Clinic, NALSAR University of Law.
Apply Now: Application Form: Criminal Justice Student Fellowship
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