The paid internship at Square Circle Clinic is a valuable opportunity for students and early-career professionals looking to engage deeply with India’s criminal justice system. Offering hands-on exposure to legal aid, criminal defence, mental health, and forensic research, this programme invites applicants from a diverse set of academic disciplines.
With stipends offered for both full-time and part-time roles, and office locations in New Delhi, Pune, and Nagpur, the internship presents a rare combination of professional development, social impact, and academic enrichment.
About Square Circle Clinic
Square Circle Clinic is a flagship initiative of NALSAR University of Law, operating across multiple cities and dedicated to advancing justice for death row inmates, undertrial prisoners, and other vulnerable individuals. The Clinic is well-regarded for its pro bono litigation, policy research, and interdisciplinary focus on areas such as:
- Forensic science and procedural fairness
- Torture, mental health, and incarceration
- Access to legal aid and justice
- Media, narrative, and systemic bias in the criminal justice system
The Clinic provides real-world exposure to the challenges of legal practice in India’s trial courts and investigative procedures, while grounding interns in research, field documentation, and systemic reform.
About the Internship
The paid internship at Square Circle Clinic is designed to offer practical and research-based experience to students from multiple disciplines. Interns will assist in ongoing cases, contribute to litigation support, engage in secondary and primary research, and draft reports, briefing papers, and case updates.
Interns can choose from:
- Full-time internships (4–12 weeks)
- Part-time internships (Minimum 12 weeks)
Stipend
- Full-time interns: ₹10,000 per 4-week period
- Part-time interns: ₹5,000 per 4-week period
This makes the paid internship at Square Circle Clinic one of the few socially-impactful internships that provide fair compensation while offering deep legal exposure.
Eligibility Criteria
This internship is open to students and researchers from the following fields:
- Law (UG or PG)
- Psychology & Psychiatry
- Humanities
- Social Sciences (Sociology, Political Science, etc.)
- Media and Communication Studies
While students from all fields can apply, preference will be given to candidates from the disciplines listed above. Prior interest or experience in criminal law, public policy, mental health, or legal journalism is a plus.
Key Responsibilities
Depending on the internship stream (research, litigation support, media), interns may be expected to:
- Assist with legal documentation and case briefs for undertrial or death row cases
- Conduct literature reviews and legal research on themes like torture, bail, or prison reform
- Attend court proceedings or interact with field teams (for Delhi, Pune, Nagpur-based interns)
- Draft briefing notes, social media content, and case updates
- Participate in internal seminars, case discussions, and reflective exercises
Interns are mentored by professionals and academicians working in law, psychology, and criminal justice reform.
Internship Locations
Applicants can indicate location preferences in the application form. Some assignments may include remote or hybrid work, depending on the team and role assigned.
Application Process
The paid internship at Square Circle Clinic operates on a rolling application basis. Interested applicants must submit their details through the official Google Form.
Please ensure that you have the following ready before applying:
- Updated CV (PDF format preferred)
- Statement of Purpose (why you’re interested in the internship)
- Writing Sample (optional but recommended)
Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for a short virtual interview.
Why You Should Apply
The paid internship at Square Circle Clinic offers:
- Legal and policy exposure to real-world criminal justice issues
- Structured mentorship from experienced litigators and academics
- A chance to contribute directly to pro bono defence and systemic reform
- Fair stipend support for both full-time and part-time engagements
- Networking opportunities with like-minded professionals and institutions
Whether you’re planning a career in criminal law, policy research, legal journalism, or academia, this internship is an excellent stepping stone.
Final Thoughts
The paid internship at Square Circle Clinic is not just an academic exercise—it’s a chance to be part of India’s urgent pursuit of justice and legal reform. With its interdisciplinary model and stipend-backed structure, it promises to be one of the most impactful and rewarding internships available today.
Apply now to contribute meaningfully and learn deeply within one of India’s most progressive legal spaces.
