This Republic Day, the Centre for Law and Policy Research (CLPR) is pleased to announce the new cohort for the Constitution Defenders Fellowship (2026–28). Fourteen lawyers from five southern states will join the Fellowship, marking the beginning of a new cohort of early-career practitioners committed to constitutional values, rights-based litigation, and social justice.
The Constitution Defenders Fellowship is designed to support lawyers who seek to deepen their engagement with rights-based and public interest litigation through sustained training, mentorship, and practice-based learning. Over two years, the Fellows will work closely with CLPR’s litigation and research teams, gaining exposure to various issues and laws pertaining to the rights of women and girls, SC/ST communities, transgender persons and persons with disabilities, and also the role of courts in addressing this structural injustice. The Fellowship also provides opportunities for peer learning and engagement with a wider network of lawyers, scholars, and movements.
We congratulate the selected Fellows from the southern states and look forward to working with them over the coming years.
The selection process for Fellowship seats for candidates from the rest of India is currently underway. Further announcements regarding the national cohort will be shared soon. We thank all applicants for their interest in the Fellowship and for the time and care they put into their applications.
Stay tuned for updates.