**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1114, answered on July 25, 2025, the Ministry of Law and Justice addressed inquiries regarding a mandatory stipend framework for law interns. The Ministry stated that the Government is not currently formulating a regulatory framework mandating a minimum stipend or honorarium for law students interning with advocates, law firms, and corporate legal departments. Consultations with the Bar Council of India, Law Firms, and Legal Education Bodies regarding standardizing internship conditions and preventing exploitation of interns have not been held by the government. However, the Bar Council of India, under the Advocates Act, 1961, is drafting a Model Code of Legal Internships. This code aims to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the structure and administration of internships offered by legal practitioners, firms, and institutions. Specific details regarding implementation timelines, regulatory mechanisms, and coverage across law institutions were not provided by the Ministry. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, provided the answer.
Key Entities Referenced
Shri Praveen Khandelwal: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding mandatory stipends for law interns.
LAW AND JUSTICE: The ministry responsible for addressing the question raised in the Lok Sabha.
Bar Council of India: The regulatory body for the legal profession in India, consulted regarding internship conditions.
Advocates Act, 1961: The legislation that provides the Bar Council of India with the mandate to regulate the legal profession.
SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL: Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice, who provided the answer to the question.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Model Code of Legal Internships: A draft code being prepared by the Bar Council of India to ensure fairness and transparency in legal internships.
Legal Education Bodies: Entities involved in legal education that were consulted regarding standardising internship conditions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1114
ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025
Mandatory Stipend Framework for Law Interns
1114. Shri Praveen Khandelwal:
Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce a regulatory framework
mandating a minimum stipend or honorarium for law students interning with
advocates, law firms, and corporate legal departments, if so, the details thereof
and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government has held consultations with the Bar Council of
India, Law Firms, and Legal Education Bodies regarding standardising
internship conditions and preventing exploitation of interns, if so, the details
thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether any guidelines are proposed to ensure fair selection, transparent
working conditions, and grievance redressal for interns; and
(d) if so, the details thereof, including proposed implementation timeline,
regulatory mechanism, and coverage across law institutions?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF
LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) & (b) No such framework or guideline is presently under formulation by the
Government.
(c) & (d) Under the Advocates Act, 1961, the Bar Council of India has been
given the mandate for the regulation of Legal Profession and to take out legalreforms. In this regard, the Bar Council of India is presently engaged in the
drafting of a Model Code of Legal Internships, which aims to ensure fairness,
transparency, and accountability in the structure and administration of
internships offered by legal practitioners, firms, and institutions.
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