No Plan to Mandate Minimum Stipend for Law Interns, Centre Tells Parliament

The Central government informed Parliament that it has no plans to mandate a minimum stipend for law interns.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that the Bar Council of India (BCI) is preparing a Model Code of Legal Internships to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the selection, conditions, and grievance redressal of internships.

Responding to a parliamentary query, the Law Ministry clarified that the Model Code aims to regulate internships offered by advocates, law firms, and legal departments.

Last year, BCI recommended a minimum stipend of ₹20,000 in urban and ₹15,000 in rural areas for junior advocates, but this stipend remains non-mandatory.