About National Law University Delhi
National Law University Delhi (NLU Delhi) has invited applications for three Research Fellow positions under its Justice for Children Research Fellowship Programme.
The fellowship has been established under the NLUD Chair on Justice for Children in collaboration with UNICEF. It focuses on child rights research, access to justice and the functioning of the juvenile justice system in India.
Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend of ₹50,000. The appointment will be contractual and full-time for 12 months, beginning on December 15, 2026.
The university is looking for law graduates who have experience in child rights research and are interested in legal writing, policy analysis and the study of India’s criminal justice system.
The last date for submitting applications is November 30, 2026.
About the Justice for Children Research Fellowship
The Justice for Children Research Fellowship is a research initiative of National Law University Delhi.
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Its work focuses particularly on children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with the law.
These are two important groups covered under India’s juvenile justice framework.
The fellowship seeks to develop accessible research and scholarship examining the implementation of child rights laws and the challenges faced by children within the criminal justice system.
Research Fellows will contribute to academic publications and other research outputs produced under the NLUD Chair on Justice for Children.
The initiative also draws on information and experiences gathered through the university’s Justice for Children Litigation Fellowship.
Number of Vacancies
NLU Delhi has announced three Research Fellow positions.
All three vacancies are based at National Law University Delhi.
The appointments are full-time and contractual.
The university has specified a fellowship period of 12 months, beginning on December 15, 2026.
The official announcement does not mention any automatic extension beyond the advertised period.
Stipend and Fellowship Duration
Selected candidates will receive ₹50,000 per month.
The fellowship will run for 12 months.
It is scheduled to commence on December 15, 2026.
The official notification describes the payment as a monthly stipend and does not specify separate allowances for accommodation, travel or relocation.
Candidates applying from outside Delhi should consider the expenses involved in staying in the city during the fellowship.
The university has not announced additional financial benefits in the Research Fellow recruitment notice.
Educational Qualifications
Applicants must be law graduates.
Candidates holding an LL.B. or BA LL.B. qualification are eligible to apply, subject to meeting the other requirements.
An LL.M. degree is desirable but not compulsory.
The university has also identified a master’s degree in social science or another related discipline as a desirable additional qualification.
Therefore, candidates who have completed their undergraduate law degree can apply without necessarily possessing a postgraduate degree.
However, they must demonstrate relevant experience and knowledge in child rights research.
The notification does not prescribe a specific minimum number of years of professional experience.
Essential Eligibility Requirements
NLU Delhi requires applicants to possess updated knowledge of substantive and procedural laws concerning children’s rights.
Candidates must be familiar with important legislation such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, commonly known as the POCSO Act.
Knowledge of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, is also essential.
Applicants should understand the legal procedures and protections applicable to children who require care and protection and children who come into conflict with the law.
The university also requires demonstrable experience in child rights research.
Candidates must possess strong legal writing skills and proficiency in English.
They should also be comfortable working with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
These are essential requirements under the official notification.
Desirable Skills
In addition to the essential qualifications, the university has identified several desirable skills.
Candidates possessing an LL.M. degree or a master’s qualification in a relevant discipline may have an additional academic background suitable for the work.
NLU Delhi also considers proficiency in Microsoft Excel, artificial intelligence tools and graphic design tools desirable.
Experience in social media outreach is another preferred qualification.
These skills may help fellows organise research information, prepare publications and communicate research findings.
However, the university has listed these as desirable rather than mandatory requirements.
Research Responsibilities
Selected Research Fellows will contribute to the research and publication activities of the NLUD Chair on Justice for Children.
Their work will involve examining legal developments affecting children’s rights.
This includes studying changes in legislation, policy decisions and judgments delivered by courts.
Fellows will also contribute to research publications that examine the practical implementation of child rights laws in India.
The work requires an ability to read legislation and judicial decisions carefully and explain legal developments in clear language.
The university expects fellows to produce research that can be understood and used by people working in the child justice system.
Quarterly Newsletter Supported by UNICEF
One of the important responsibilities of selected fellows will be contributing to the NLUD Chair’s quarterly newsletter, supported by UNICEF.
The newsletter will cover developments in child rights law, including legislative amendments, policy changes and important judicial decisions.
Research Fellows may also contribute opinion articles and interviews involving professionals working in the child rights field.
These may include judges, lawyers, police officers, activists, academics and other professionals.
The newsletter will also publish field notes examining the experiences and challenges of child rights litigation in India.
These reports will draw on real-time information collected through the NLUD Justice for Children Litigation Fellowship.
The work is intended to connect legal research with experiences from courts and institutions dealing with children’s rights.
White Paper Series on the Juvenile Justice Act
Research Fellows will also contribute to the NLUD Chair’s White Paper Series supported by UNICEF.
The series focuses on implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act.
It will involve examining information collected by national and state-level Juvenile Justice Committees.
The purpose of the white papers is to analyse available data and develop research on how the juvenile justice framework operates in practice.
This work may involve studying the functioning of institutions, legal procedures and developments concerning the care, protection and rehabilitation of children.
The white papers are intended to contribute to scholarship on the implementation of child rights law in India.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is particularly relevant for law graduates interested in child rights, criminal law, access to justice and public interest research.
Candidates who have previously worked on child protection issues through research projects, legal aid initiatives or organisations working with children may have relevant experience.
Law graduates who have undertaken serious academic research concerning the Juvenile Justice Act or POCSO Act may also find the opportunity relevant.
However, the fellowship is not restricted to candidates who have completed an LL.M.
A law graduate with demonstrable experience in child rights research may apply if they satisfy the essential requirements.
The position may also interest candidates planning to pursue long-term careers in legal research, academic work or child rights policy.
Selection Process
NLU Delhi will review applications submitted through its official recruitment portal.
The university has stated that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Shortlisted applicants will proceed to the interview stage.
The official notification does not specify the number of interview rounds or a particular interview date.
Candidates should therefore monitor the contact details provided in their applications for communication from the university.
The notification also does not mention a separate written examination.
How to Apply?
Interested and eligible candidates must submit their applications through the official NLU Delhi careers portal.
Applicants should visit the website and locate the Research Fellow vacancy under the Justice for Children Research Fellowship.
They should carefully read the eligibility requirements before completing the online application.
Candidates should provide accurate details of their academic qualifications, research experience and relevant professional work.
The application portal should be followed for any required documents and supporting information.
NLU Delhi has expressly instructed candidates not to submit application materials by email or post.
Applications must be submitted through the online recruitment system.
Official Application Links
Apply Online: https://careers.nludelhi.ac.in/
Official Recruitment Announcement: https://nludelhi.ac.in/call-for-applications-nlud-justice-for-children-research-and-litigation-fellowships/
Official Research Fellowship Notification: https://nludelhi.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/J4C-Research-Fellowship-Call-for-Applications.pdf
Official University Website: https://nludelhi.ac.in/
Email for Queries: unicefchair@nludelhi.ac.in
The email address is provided for queries concerning the fellowship. It should not be used to submit application materials.
Important Dates
The last date to apply for the NLU Delhi Justice for Children Research Fellowship is November 30, 2026.
The fellowship is scheduled to begin on December 15, 2026.
The duration of the appointment is 12 months.
The university has not announced a specific interview schedule in the official recruitment notice.
Applicants should complete their online submissions before the deadline.
Application Deadline
National Law University Delhi will accept applications for its Justice for Children Research Fellowship until November 30, 2026.
The university is recruiting three full-time Research Fellows for its Delhi campus.
Selected candidates will receive ₹50,000 per month for 12 months.
Law graduates with relevant child rights research experience, knowledge of the Juvenile Justice Act and POCSO Act, and strong legal writing skills can apply through the
