If you’re a law student planning an internship with an advocate at the Delhi High Court, pay close attention. A fresh circular has changed who can get an official entry pass or ID card. The High Court of Delhi issued Circular No. 2869 G-13/Genl. II/DHC on 24 August 2026, acting on directions from the Hon’ble Chief Justice. The message is clear: only certain senior law students will now receive these passes.
This is not a minor administrative tweak. For many students, the entry pass is the practical key that lets them move freely inside the court complex, sit through hearings, and actually experience litigation work. Without it, access becomes restricted and the internship loses much of its value.
What Exactly Changed
Until now, students from different years of law school often managed to get entry passes through their advocating mentors. That window has narrowed. The Court will now issue entry passes or ID cards only to:
- Third-year students of the three-year LL.B. course
- Fourth-year and fifth-year students of the five-year integrated law course
First-year and second-year students of the three-year programme, and first-, second-, and third-year students of the five-year programme, fall outside this list. The circular uses the word “henceforth,” so the restriction applies from the date of issue onward.
The Court has also made one helpful clarification: these entry passes and ID cards are issued free of charge. No fee is collected.
Documents You Must Submit
Getting the pass is not automatic even if you fall in the eligible category. The intern (or the advocate on their behalf) needs to submit a short set of papers:
- Recommendation letter from the concerned advocate, clearly mentioning the advocate’s Bar Council enrolment number
- Photocopy of the advocate’s Bar ID
- Photocopy of the intern’s Aadhaar card
- Photocopy of the intern’s college ID card
- Two stamp-size photographs of the intern
Keep the photocopies clear and the photographs recent. Incomplete files usually lead to delays or rejection. The recommendation letter carries real weight—it shows the Court that a practising advocate takes responsibility for the student.
Why the Court Introduced These Limits
Court complexes handle sensitive matters, security protocols, and limited space. When large numbers of early-year students seek entry passes, administrative and security teams face extra pressure. By restricting the facility to students who have already completed a substantial portion of their degree, the Court is prioritising those more likely to benefit from direct exposure to court proceedings.
This does not mean junior students cannot learn. Many chambers still take first- and second-year interns for research, drafting practice, and observation of chamber work. They simply will not receive the High Court-issued entry pass that allows unrestricted movement inside the premises.
Practical Impact for Students
If you are in an eligible year, treat the process seriously. Approach an advocate early, explain your academic year clearly, and request a proper recommendation letter with the enrolment number. Carry all five required documents in one set. Once issued, the pass becomes your daily access tool—use it responsibly.
If you are in an earlier year, adjust expectations. Focus on building research skills, reading case files thoroughly, and understanding procedure through chamber discussions. Many senior advocates still mentor junior students; they simply cannot secure a High Court entry pass for them under the new rules.
For students studying outside Delhi who hope to intern here, the same eligibility criteria apply. Distance does not create exceptions.
What Advocates Need to Know
The circular also goes to the Delhi High Court Bar Association with a specific request: members should not issue their own identity cards or entry passes to interns. The Court alone issues the official passes, and only to the listed categories. Advocates who recommend students should ensure the student genuinely falls within the third-year (3-year LL.B.) or fourth/fifth-year (5-year course) brackets.
A clear recommendation letter that states the student’s year and the advocate’s enrolment number helps the process move smoothly. Photocopies of the Bar ID should be current.
Tips That Actually Help
Start the paperwork a few weeks before the internship begins. Last-minute submissions often get stuck. Double-check that the college ID shows the correct year of study. Keep digital scans ready in case the Court asks for additional verification later.
Talk to seniors who recently completed internships. They can share practical details about the counter where applications are submitted and the usual processing time. Stay polite and organised—court staff handle large volumes of such requests.
Remember that an entry pass is a privilege, not a right. Misuse or overstaying can affect future applications from the same chamber or college.
Looking Ahead
This circular reflects a broader effort to regulate access while still supporting meaningful clinical education for students who have reached a certain stage in their legal training. Law schools and placement cells would do well to update their internship guidelines so students know the new eligibility rules before they start approaching chambers.
For eligible students, the process remains straightforward and free. Gather the five documents, secure a proper recommendation, and follow the Court procedure. For everyone else, the learning continues—just without the official High Court entry pass for the time being.
The full circular is available on the Delhi High Court website under the relevant administrative section. Students and advocates should read the original text for exact wording. Rules can be updated further, so checking the official site before applying is always wise.
In short, the Delhi High Court has drawn a clear line. Know which side of that line you stand on, prepare the documents carefully if you qualify, and make the most of whatever form of internship access you receive. Practical experience still matters more than any single piece of plastic.
