Call for Applications | Pro Bono Advocacy Fellowship Programme

The Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU) invites applications for the Pro Bono Advocacy Fellowship Programme under Project Eyalvathu Karavel. This Fellowship is designed for early-career advocates residing or practicing in the districts of Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur and Madurai and committed to advancing access to justice, social justice lawyering and quality legal representation through pro bono lawyering.

About the Fellowship Programme:

Access to justice continues to remain a significant challenge in India, particularly for marginalized and underserved communities who face barriers such as limited legal awareness, financial constraints and inadequate access to courts and legal services.

At the early stages of the profession, advocates inclined towards pro bono advocacy often face constraints relating to mentorship, support systems and financial sustainability. The absence of advocacy skills, coupled with the lack of structured mentorship, further constrains their ability to meaningfully engage in pro bono services.

The Pro-Bono Advocacy Fellowship Programme is designed to address these gaps by equipping young advocates with the necessary skills, mentorship, and practical exposure to pursue pro bono advocacy as a sustainable and impactful career path. The programme aims to strengthen access to courts and justice for underserved communities while fostering a cadre of competent, socially committed legal professionals in the districts of Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

The TNNLU Pro Bono Advocacy Fellowship Programme will support a cohort of 20 early-career advocates through two batches by providing structured mentorship, supervised litigation exposure and continuous learning opportunities over a period of 18 months with a monthly stipend of Rs. 20,000.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a 3-year or 5-year LL.B. degree with a minimum 50% marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognised University in India.
• Be enrolled or provisionally enrolled with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
• Be 27 years of age or below on the last date of application,

How to Apply?

• Interested candidates are required to apply through the provided link on or before 24^th April 2026.
• Application Form: https://forms.gle/AHrhmrdCkJMyAHk88
• An application fee of Rs. 100/- shall be remitted to the following account:

Account Number - 16560110029565

Name of the Account Holder -The Registrar, Tamil Nadu National Law University

IFSC Code - UCBA0003003

Bank and Branch - TNNLS Branch, Navalur Kuttapattu, Trichy-27

 Account Type - Savings Account

• Applicants must upload all required documents, including proof of enrolment, Residence, and Statement of Purpose along with proof of payment.

For queries write to projectek@tnnlu.ac.in or contact Mr. Nideesh Kumar T V, Faculty Co-Ordinator, Project Eyalvathu Karavel at 9942566901.