About The Square Circle Clinic
The Square Circle Clinic is a criminal justice initiative at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, established in April 2025 by the team that previously built and led Project 39A. The Clinic works towards ensuring fairness within India’s criminal justice system through pro bono litigation, research, mitigation, and public engagement. Its work spans areas including the death penalty, forensics, mental health and criminal justice, wrongful convictions, prevention of torture, criminalisation, and the use of science and technology in criminal justice.
About the Fellowship
The Square Circle Clinic is inviting applications for the Criminal Justice Student Fellowship 2026–27. This is a 12-month intensive fellowship where selected Fellows will work closely with the Clinic’s litigation, mitigation, research, and communications teams while also undertaking an independent research project under expert mentorship.
Number of Fellowships
03 (Three)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be:
- Students in the III, IV, or V year of the integrated 5-year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme; or
- Students in the II or III year of the 3-year LL.B. programme during the academic year 2026–27.
Roles and Responsibilities
Selected Fellows will contribute to:
- Legal and empirical research on criminal justice issues.
- Litigation support in death penalty and other strategic litigation matters.
- Mitigation investigations and preparation of life histories of prisoners sentenced to death.
- Strategic communications, including blogs and public engagement initiatives.
- An independent criminal justice research project under faculty supervision.
- Administrative responsibilities as required by the Clinic.
Stipend
Selected Fellows will receive a stipend of ₹60,000 upon successful completion of the Fellowship.
Duration
12 months, commencing from mid-August 2026.
Mode
Remote, with mandatory in-person engagement at the Clinic’s Delhi office for eight weeks during the Fellowship. Travel expenses (equivalent to II AC train fare) will be reimbursed, and travel and accommodation for the induction programme will also be provided where applicable.
How to Apply?
Interested candidates must submit their application through the official online application form along with:
- Resume
- Statement of Purpose (maximum 700 words)
- Writing Sample (maximum 1,200 words, excluding footnotes)
Applications exceeding the prescribed word limits will not be considered.
Application Deadline
The last date to submit the application is July 31, 2026 (5:00 PM).
Click here to Apply.
🔗 Apply / More Info: https://www.lawctopus.com/criminal-justice-student-fellowship-2026-nalsar/
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