Internship Experience @ Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law & Justice, GoI

Name

Anirudh Modi

Name of the College

Maharishi University of Information Technology, Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Name of the Organisation

Department of Legal Affairs (DoLA) Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India Shastri Bhawan, Central Secretariat New Delhi – 110001

Duration of Internship

January 1, 2026 to January 30, 2026

How did you apply?

I applied through the website portal: https://legalaffairs.gov.in/internship/

First-Day Formalities, Infrastructure, and First Impression

The first day of the internship began with document verification and administrative formalities, after which interns were given an orientation regarding the functioning of the Department of Legal Affairs.

The office is located in Shastri Bhawan, Central Secretariat, one of the most important administrative hubs of the Government of India. The infrastructure was well organised and professional, reflecting the disciplined functioning of a central government ministry.

Security procedures were strict, and interns had to maintain proper attendance and follow departmental protocols.

Main Tasks

Interns were allotted different divisions on a rotational basis to provide exposure to multiple areas of legal administration. During my internship, I was attached to:

• ADR Cell (Alternative Dispute Resolution Cell)
• Training Division
• Notary Cell

Work Environment

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the internship was interacting with fellow interns from different law schools across the country. Over the course of the internship, we developed good friendships and frequently spent time together in the department library and conference areas, where we had engaging discussions and debates on various legal and policy issues.

These discussions ranged from constitutional law, arbitration reforms, governance, and contemporary legal developments, making the internship intellectually stimulating beyond the formal tasks assigned by the department.

Such peer interaction significantly enhanced the learning experience, as it allowed us to exchange perspectives and understand different approaches to legal reasoning.

Good Things about the Internship

• Exposure to the legal advisory system of the Government of India.
• Opportunity to study arbitration law and international ADR frameworks.
• Learning about the administrative functioning of government legal departments.
• Interaction with government officials and experienced legal professionals.
• Opportunity to work across multiple divisions such as the ADR Cell, Training Division, and Notary Cell.
• Networking and discussions with fellow interns from different law schools.

Bad Things about the Internship

While the internship was highly informative, there were a few limitations:

• The work was largely research-oriented, so students expecting drafting or litigation exposure might find it limited.
• Interaction with senior officers depended on their schedule and workload.

However, these aspects are inherent in the functioning of government departments and provide insight into administrative legal processes.

Monthly Stipend

The internship provides a stipend of ₹5,000 upon successful completion of the internship and submission of the required report.

Details about the Accommodation, Commuting to the Office

Since I was already staying in the NCR region, I did not need to arrange accommodation. For students coming from outside Delhi, there are several PG accommodations available in areas like Karol Bagh, Rajinder Nagar, Patel Nagar, and Laxmi Nagar, which are well connected to the Central Secretariat Metro Station, making commuting convenient.

Anything else you want to share?

Since the internship took place in January, there were occasional half-days due to Republic Day rehearsal arrangements around the Central Secretariat and Rajpath area. These days provided a good opportunity for interns to explore different parts of Delhi together.

We often used this time to travel around the city, visiting nearby places and experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of Delhi during the Republic Day preparations. Lunch breaks were another enjoyable part of the internship.

Within the Shastri Bhawan premises, there is a Bikano outlet, which was a popular spot among interns for quick meals and snacks. Apart from this, there are government canteens nearby that offer affordable lunch options.

Outside the Shastri Bhawan premises, several street food stalls and small eateries are available where interns can easily find tea, snacks, and quick meals during breaks.

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