INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: The Square Circle Clinic [Formerly Project 39A] at NALSAR University of Law [Full-time/Part-time; Paid; Rolling Basis]
• Location: New Delhi, Pune, Nagpur
• Internship Type: Full-time (4–12 weeks) / Part-time (12 weeks)
• Stipend: ₹10,000 (full-time, per 4 weeks), ₹5,000 (part-time, per 4 weeks)
• Application Mode: Online
• Deadline: Apply at least 2 months before proposed start date
About The Square Circle Clinic
The Square Circle Clinic is a criminal justice initiative housed at NALSAR University of Law, with offices in New Delhi, Pune, Nagpur and Hyderabad. It undertakes pro bono criminal defence of prisoners sentenced to death and undertrials, and also engages in research and public outreach in the areas of the death penalty, forensics, torture prevention, mental health and criminal justice, legal aid, criminalisation and punishment. The team previously worked as Project 39A before moving to NALSAR in April 2025.
Internship Areas
Interns will be placed across teams as per availability and organisational requirements:
• Research: Forensics (esp. DNA), legal aid, mental health and criminal justice, torture, death penalty, criminalisation and punishment
• Litigation: Pro bono defence in death penalty and undertrial cases (Pune & Nagpur teams)
• Mitigation Investigation: Creating life-history based reports for death penalty sentencing (suitable for students from social sciences, psychology, psychiatry, humanities)
• Strategic Communication: Storytelling, public communication strategy, social media outreach
Eligibility
• Open to students enrolled in recognised UG/PG programmes in law, social sciences, humanities, psychology, psychiatry, media or communications (India or abroad)
• Students from other disciplines may also apply, but preference is given to the above fields
Responsibilities
• Assist in litigation, research, or public engagement activities
• Support administrative and coordination tasks
• Observe working hours: 10 AM – 6 PM (on-site work is mandatory)
• Part-time interns (Delhi-based) must commit to 12 weeks
Duration & Stipend
• Internships are full-time and for a period of a minimum 4 weeks to a maximum of 12 weeks.
• Full-time interns will be paid a stipend of Rs 10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) for every four weeks of internship.
• Part-time interns will be paid a stipend of Rs. 5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand Only) for every four weeks of internship.
Application Process
• Apply via the official online application form
• Upload your CV and a Statement of Purpose (max 750 words) describing your interest in criminal justice and the role
• No emails or physical applications will be accepted
Important Notes
• Apply at least 2 months prior to the start of your intended internship month
• Selection is competitive; only selected applicants will be contacted 6 weeks before start date
• No reimbursement for travel or accommodation (except work-related travel)
• In-person internships are strongly preferred; remote internships only in exceptional cases
• For queries, contact: squarecircleinternships@nalsar.ac.in (no application status updates will be provided)