Internship Experience @ Delhi State Legal Services Authority, Delhi

This Internship Experience has been submitted by Vanshika Gaur.

Name

Vanshika Gaur

Name of the College

Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Name of the Organisation

Delhi State Legal Services Authority

Address: 3rd Floor, Courts Complex, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Marg, Rouse Avenue, Mata Sundari Railway Colony, Mandi House, New Delhi, Delhi, 110002

Duration of Internship

21 days (January 10, 2025 – January 30, 2025)

How did you Apply?

I applied for this internship through the official application link released by DSLSA on its website. The process was entirely online and fairly straightforward, with a basic form requiring your academic and contact details, along with a Note Objection Certificate. No interview or further screening was conducted.

What stood out to me was how organized the communication was post-application, clear emails with reporting instructions and group allotments were shared well in advance. The smooth process gave an early glimpse into the professional and well-structured nature of the internship itself.

I would highly recommend keeping an eye on DSLSA’s official website or LinkedIn handles in early November for the Winter Internship call, as it’s quite a sought-after opportunity among law students across India.

First-Day Formalities, Infrastructure, and First Impression

The first day itself was exhilarating. All interns were invited to Rouse Avenue Court for an orientation session that truly set the tone for the entire internship. Upon arrival, we were guided through offline desk registration and handed over our stationery kits. What followed was an incredibly motivating inaugural session conducted by the authorities at DSLSA.

We were introduced to the mandate and framework of the Legal Services Authorities Act, the concept of access to justice, and the vision behind legal aid in India. The session was informative and inspirational. Terms like vulnerable groups, equal justice, and welfare state were brought to life through real examples.

The opportunity to interact with interns from diverse law schools across India sparked great conversations and friendships. Post the orientation, we had refreshments and walked out with an excited buzz in the air, ready to dive into the coming three weeks with enthusiasm and purpose.

Main Tasks

This internship stands out for the sheer breadth of its exposure. The interns were divided into groups, each placed with a different District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) based on their preferences.

Our schedule was diverse and thoughtfully designed. We had courtroom observation days where we attended proceedings in civil, criminal, and family courts where we were explained the procedural nuances of filing, evidence presentation, and the roles of judges and advocates.

Visiting mediation centres, vulnerable witness rooms, and the Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC) office gave us a grassroots-level understanding of alternate dispute resolution and public defence.

But the real learning came from institutional visits, which included:

1. Juvenile Justice Board-IV
2. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)
3. District Magistrate & Shelter Home
4. Labour Office & Police Station
5. Child Welfare Committee VII & Children Home for Girls
6. Sakhi – One Stop Centre
7. Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS)
8. Delhi Council for Child Welfare (PALNA)
9. Tihar Jail No. 4

Each visit included interaction with officials and hands-on exposure to statutory frameworks like JJ Act, POCSO, and labour laws. All the visits made us learners absorbing every detail, often quizzing officers, noting statutes, and linking law with real life.

Work Environment

The work environment was vibrant and constantly buzzing with energy. The diversity of interns, ranging from national law universities to state and private law schools, created a beautifully collaborative atmosphere. Our internship coordinator played a pivotal role in making this experience smooth and enriching.

She ensured that every intern reached before the session began and no one missed out on explanations or interactions. Her gesture of organizing a special visit to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on the final day was heartwarming and unforgettable.

Delhi’s winter played in our favour making travel from one office to another pleasant and manageable. Communication was seamless. All updates, meeting points, and dress codes were shared via WhatsApp groups and emails, so there were no last-minute hassles. The culture was professional yet friendly.

Officers at each institution encouraged questions and treated interns as future contributors to the legal system. There was a shared spirit of learning and service throughout the internship. The co-interns quickly became friends and long metro rides led to meaningful conversations about law, justice, and the kind of lawyers we hoped to become.

Good Things about the Internship

What makes the DSLSA internship truly phenomenal is the scale and depth of practical exposure it offers in such a short period. For many law students, this is their first real brush with the functioning of the justice delivery system and DSLSA makes sure it is impactful.

Every visit feels like opening a new chapter of a law textbook, but with real people, real issues, and real-time solutions. It introduces you to institutions you’ve only read about, lets you interact with stakeholders across the justice chain, from police officials to social workers to judicial officers and leaves you with a rich perspective on public service lawyering.

The exposure to institutions like Tihar Jail was deeply humbling. We spoke to inmates, saw their handicrafts, and ate the food prepared by them. It was a rare glimpse into correctional facilities and reformative justice. Equally powerful was the visit to Sakhi Centre, where we understood the law from a survivor’s lens.

Meeting like-minded law students from across the country added another layer of learning. By the end of the internship, you feel more aware, more compassionate, and more committed to the cause of justice.

Bad Things about the Internship

While the internship is a gem overall, a few aspects can be improved for better impact. One major drawback was the slum survey task. We were asked to collect data from residents of two urban slum areas in Delhi regarding their legal problems and inform them about the DSLSA helpline number (1516).

However, there was no orientation or guideline provided on how to approach residents respectfully, how to deal with sensitive issues, or what kind of responses to expect. Many interns struggled to initiate meaningful conversations. Worse, the data collected wasn’t used or followed up upon, leaving us uncertain about its utility.

Moreover, not all interns had supportive coordinators. One group reported that their supervisor was consistently late, barely communicative, and disengaged, turning an otherwise rich internship into a dull administrative exercise. A standardized code of conduct or orientation for all DSLSA coordinators could vastly improve uniformity in experience.

Monthly Stipend

No stipend is offered for the internship. However, the immense experiential learning and institutional access compensate more than sufficiently for the absence of financial remuneration.

Details about the Accommodation, Commuting to the Office

DSLSA does not provide accommodation or travel reimbursements. However, commuting in Delhi is extremely convenient thanks to its robust metro network. Almost all internship locations are accessible via metro, and the rest can be covered using affordable e-rickshaws. Interns generally opt to stay in PG accommodations or with relatives/friends in Delhi.

My advice would be to choose a location close to your assigned DLSA or central metro line. Group travel adds to the fun, many of us became close friends by just navigating new areas of Delhi together. Travel can get a bit hectic at times, but if you plan ahead and carry water and light snacks, you’ll enjoy the rides as much as the visits.

Anything else you want to share?

More than an academic requirement this internship is an awakening which allows law students to see law in action. You don’t just meet officers, you meet people passionate about change. You don’t just make friends, you build a network of dreamers and doers who want to make India a better place through law. Every day and every visit offers something unforgettable.

If you are a law student looking to understand how the law reaches the grassroots, how policy is translated into action, and how lawyers can become nation-builders, this is the internship for you. Go in with an open mind, a notebook, and lots of questions, you’ll come out with answers, awareness, and a purpose.

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