bout National Law University Delhi
National Law University Delhi (NLU Delhi) has invited applications for the position of Academic Fellow in Criminal Law. The opportunity is intended for early-career legal academics and researchers interested in developing their careers in teaching, legal research and higher education.
The university has initially announced one vacancy. However, the number of positions may increase if additional suitable candidates are identified.
Selected candidates will receive a consolidated monthly remuneration of ₹60,000. The appointment will be contractual and full-time for an initial period of six months, with the possibility of an extension.
The last date for submitting applications is 20 November 2026.
About the Academic Fellowship
The Academic Fellowship is one of NLU Delhi’s initiatives for supporting young legal academics and researchers.
The programme allows early-career scholars to work within the university’s academic environment and contribute to its research activities.
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Explore Our Services →Academic Fellows receive mentoring from senior faculty members. The programme is intended to help participants develop their research capabilities, academic writing and understanding of university-level teaching and scholarship.
According to the current notification, the selected Academic Fellow will work under the Chair on Professional Ethics at NLU Delhi, or another arrangement subsequently decided by the university.
Although the position is advertised in Criminal Law, the notification specifically mentions the Chair on Professional Ethics as the institutional placement.
Number of Vacancies
NLU Delhi has initially announced one Academic Fellow position.
The university has indicated that the number of appointments may change if more suitable candidates are identified.
The fellowship will be based at the university’s campus in Sector 14, Dwarka, New Delhi.
The position is full-time and requires the selected candidate to undertake research and other academic responsibilities assigned by the university.
Salary and Fellowship Duration
The selected candidate will receive ₹60,000 per month as consolidated remuneration.
For the initial six-month appointment, this amounts to ₹3,60,000 in total remuneration.
The fellowship is contractual and will initially continue for six months.
The university has stated that the appointment may be extended. However, an extension is not guaranteed and will depend on the university’s decision.
The selected candidate will not receive the benefits ordinarily available to regular faculty members.
The fellowship is also not a permanent teaching appointment and does not create any right to regularisation.
Educational Qualifications
Candidates must possess an LL.M. degree with specialisation in Criminal Law or an allied subject.
The qualification must have been awarded by a recognised Indian or foreign university.
Applicants must have secured at least 55% marks in their LL.M. degree or an equivalent grade under the applicable grading system.
The university also requires candidates to possess a good academic record.
Applicants with an LL.M. in a related legal discipline may qualify if their specialisation satisfies the university’s requirements.
The notification does not make a PhD compulsory.
Candidates who have completed doctoral studies may submit their PhD degree or provisional certificate as an additional qualification.
Research Experience and Required Skills
NLU Delhi expects applicants to demonstrate a research record in Criminal Law or an allied subject.
Candidates should have strong legal research, writing and drafting abilities.
The university has specifically indicated that excellent writing and drafting skills will be preferred.
Previous research experience at a National Law University will also receive preference.
However, the notification does not prescribe a fixed minimum number of years of professional experience.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate their research abilities through their academic work, publications and writing samples.
Previous research contributions are therefore an important part of the application.
Responsibilities of the Academic Fellow
The selected Academic Fellow will assist with research work in relevant legal areas in consultation with the university.
The position requires strong knowledge of Criminal Law and the ability to undertake detailed legal analysis.
Research work may involve examining statutes, judicial decisions and academic literature connected with the assigned subject.
The Fellow will also contribute to other academic and administrative activities as required by the university.
The Academic Fellowship programme is designed to support professional development in teaching and research. However, the current notification does not specify a separate teaching workload or the number of classes the selected candidate must undertake.
The precise allocation of academic responsibilities will be determined by NLU Delhi.
Academic Mentoring
An important feature of the programme is the opportunity to work with senior members of the university’s faculty.
The notification states that the Academic Fellow will be mentored by senior faculty members under the Chair on Professional Ethics.
This provides an academic setting in which the selected researcher can further develop legal writing and research skills.
The programme is intended for candidates who want to pursue academic careers rather than those seeking only short-term administrative employment.
The Fellow will be expected to contribute to the intellectual and research activities of the university during the appointment.
Who Should Apply?
The opportunity is particularly relevant for LL.M. graduates interested in Criminal Law, criminal justice research and legal academia.
Candidates who have previously worked on criminal law research projects, academic publications or other relevant research assignments may find the fellowship suitable.
Applicants who have undertaken postgraduate research on criminal justice, substantive criminal law or related subjects may also consider applying.
However, candidates must satisfy the educational qualifications and demonstrate a research record in the relevant field.
An LL.B. degree alone is not sufficient because an LL.M. is mandatory under the notification.
The university has not specified a separate age limit.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit a cover letter of 300 words.
They must also prepare a Statement of Purpose of 750 words, explaining their academic interests and suitability for the fellowship.
Candidates are required to provide details of their LL.M. specialisation and an updated resume.
The resume should mention academic publications authored or co-authored by the applicant, where applicable.
A writing sample is also compulsory. NLU Delhi has expressly stated that co-authored writing samples will not be considered.
Applicants must therefore submit a sample of work they have written independently.
Candidates must also provide copies of their undergraduate and master’s degree certificates, clearly indicating the date and year of graduation.
A PhD degree or provisional certificate may be provided where applicable.
Relevant experience certificates and other supporting documents may also be submitted.
All application materials must be uploaded digitally through the official recruitment portal.
Selection Process
NLU Delhi will initially evaluate the documents submitted by applicants.
Candidates will be shortlisted according to their academic qualifications, research record, writing skills and other relevant application details.
The university has clarified that possessing the prescribed qualifications does not automatically entitle an applicant to an interview.
Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted for an interview.
Interview details will be communicated separately.
The university has not announced a fixed interview date.
The decision of NLU Delhi regarding eligibility, shortlisting and final selection will be binding.
Application Fee
Candidates must pay a non-refundable application fee of ₹1,000 through the online system.
However, applicants belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Persons with Disabilities category are exempt from paying the application fee.
The fee must be paid as part of the prescribed online application process.
Incomplete applications and applications lacking the required fee or documents may be rejected.
Candidates should ensure that all required materials are submitted before the closing date.
Important Conditions
The appointment will be temporary and contractual.
Selected candidates will not be entitled to the benefits applicable to regular university faculty members.
The university may terminate the appointment in accordance with the terms stated in the recruitment notice, including circumstances involving misconduct, unsatisfactory performance or subsequent ineligibility.
Applicants currently employed elsewhere must submit their applications through the proper channel.
The university has also clarified that no travelling allowance or daily allowance will be paid to candidates attending an interview or interaction.
Any changes to the recruitment process will be published on the official NLU Delhi website.
How to Apply?
Interested and eligible candidates must apply through the official NLU Delhi recruitment portal.
Applicants should visit the careers website and find the vacancy titled Academic Fellow (Criminal Law).
They should carefully review the eligibility conditions before filling out the online application.
The form requires academic information, details of research experience and the prescribed supporting documents.
Candidates must upload their cover letter, Statement of Purpose, resume, independently authored writing sample and degree certificates.
The application fee must then be paid online, unless the candidate belongs to an exempted category.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
The university has specifically instructed candidates to apply through its online recruitment portal.
Official Application Links
Apply Online: https://careers.nludelhi.ac.in/
Official Recruitment Announcement: https://nludelhi.ac.in/call-for-applications-for-academic-fellow-criminal-law/
Official Recruitment Notification: https://nludelhi.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Call-for-applications-Academic-Fellow-Criminal-Law.pdf
Official University Website: https://nludelhi.ac.in/
Email for Recruitment Queries: opportunities@nludelhi.ac.in
The email address is provided for queries concerning the recruitment. Applications must be submitted through the online portal.
Application Deadline
The last date for submitting applications for the NLU Delhi Academic Fellow (Criminal Law) position is 20 November 2026.
The online application portal will accept submissions until 11:59 PM on the closing date.
The vacancy was advertised through an official notification issued on 4 November 2026.
Eligible candidates holding an LL.M. with at least 55% marks, along with a relevant research record, can apply for the full-time contractual position.
The selected candidate will receive consolidated remuneration of ₹60,000 per month for an initial six-month appointment, which may be extended at the university’s discretion.
