The third edition of the Indian Litigation Fellowship is inviting applications from first-generation women litigators at the start of their career.
Even with a more gender diverse student body in law schools and increased enrolment from women, a career in litigation still poses significant challenges for women. The courtroom can present itself as a difficult choice for first-generation women litigators as they begin their professional careers.
The Indian Litigation Fellowship aims to support 10 young, first-generation women litigators by providing them with the necessary support systems, professional training and financial support.
The fellowship will commence in June/July 2026.
The fellowship is open to:
Women
Final-year students, early-career litigators (with less than two years of experience).
First-generation litigators who do not have immediate family members in the legal profession. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate economic need.
Open Litigation Fellowships
8 first-generation women litigators will be awarded this Fellowship. The Open Litigation Fellows are encouraged to secure employment with litigation chambers of their own choosing. Interested applicants are encouraged to identify litigation chambers where they will receive the required mentorship, professional exposure and training that aligns with their professional goals.
The applicants will have to disclose the details of the chambers when employment has been secured.
Lawyer in Residence Fellowships (LIR)
LIR Fellowship 1: Chambers of Shrutanjaya Bhardwaj (Pravah Law )
1 fellow will be attached to Pravah Law, New Delhi for a period of 1 year. Working at Pravah Law is a condition attached to the LIR Fellowship.
The chamber's practice is primarily situated at the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court. Practice areas include constitutional law, criminal law, sports law, service law, arbitration law and intellectual property law. The chamber routinely undertakes pro bono advisory and litigation work.
LIR Fellowship 2: Chambers of Mansi Sood and Vinayak Mehrotra (E-23 Chambers)
1 fellow will be attached to E-23 Chambers, New Delhi for a period of 1 year. Working at E-23 Chambers is a condition attached to the LIR Fellowship.
E-23 Chambers' practice focuses on civil, commercial and constitutional law with their work spanning various courts and tribunals across Delhi including the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court and district courts. The chamber also handles arbitration before both ad-hoc arbitral tribunals as well as institutional arbitration.
Applicants can only apply to one type of the fellowship for the 2026 cycle - the Open Fellowship, the LIR 1 Fellowship at Pravah Law, or the LIR 2 Fellowship at E-23 Chambers.
The final date for receipt of applications is 11:59 PM, February 28, 2026. Selections will be made by mid to late May 2026.
Applicants are advised not to use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to draft responses to the application. Send in your story in your authentic voice.
For any queries, email indianlitigationfellowship@gmail.com.
Applications will not be accepted over email.