The High Court of Kerala has notified the Internship Policy for the High Court of Kerala-2026 (Amended) through a notice dated 17 October 2026, signed by Registrar General Gopakumar G. The amended policy supersedes the earlier version, which came into effect on 1 July 2026, and applies from the date of the notification.
For law students aiming to intern at the Kerala High Court, the changes bring clearer eligibility criteria, a structured application process and stricter conduct rules.
Who Can Apply?
Only students in the last two years of their law course are eligible. However, this restriction does not apply to internships under Hon’ble Judges, which may be allowed at Their Lordships’ discretion.
The policy covers interns under Judges and Sections of the High Court, as well as those under the Advocate General’s office, the Additional Solicitor General, the Director General of Prosecutions, the Deputy Solicitor General, the Kerala State Legal Services Authority, the Mediation Centre, the Bar Council of Kerala and Advocates.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through an online module being developed by the High Court. Key requirements:
- Applications must be forwarded by the Principal or Head of the law school.
- Incomplete applications, or those not forwarded through the proper channel, will not be considered.
- Interns must complete an online pre-induction briefing before applying.
- For internships under a specific Judge, the application is processed only after the Judge’s consent, obtained through the Private Secretary.
Until the module is ready, the process will run in physical mode as far as possible. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) is the primary point of contact and oversees the programme. Entry passes are issued only to applicants who applied through the module and were duly permitted.
Duration and Attendance
The duration is fixed by the Judge or office concerned, and any extension requires a fresh application. Interns must sign in and sign out daily. Only actual days of physical attendance count towards the certificate, and absences are excluded regardless of the reason.
Conduct, Dress Code and Device Rules
The policy sets strict discipline norms:
| Area | Rule |
|---|---|
| Dress code | Bar Council of India dress code under Section 49(1)(gg) of the Advocates Act, 1961, except coat, bands and gown |
| Prohibited attire | Jeans, T-shirts, sneakers, flashy accessories |
| Devices | No phones, cameras or recording devices in courtrooms and sensitive areas |
| Photography | Recording and sharing on social media leads to immediate termination |
| Seating | Priority to Advocates and litigants; interns must vacate seats when required |
| Facilities | No use of canteens, robing rooms or rest areas meant for Advocates/Staff |
| Confidentiality | Information of the office concerned must be kept confidential |
Interns must also carry their institution’s identity card at all times and confine themselves to areas they are permitted to access.
Consequences of Misconduct
Failure to follow the rules may result in pre-termination of the internship, and no certificate will be issued in such cases. The concerned law institution will be notified, and repeated misconduct from a particular institution may lead to temporary suspension of internship permissions for its students.
Certificate and Feedback
Certificates for internships under Judges or Sections are signed by the Judge, Registrar General or the Registrar concerned. For other offices, the designated officer issues the certificate only after ensuring that no complaints have been recorded against the intern. The High Court may also seek feedback from interns to improve the system.
Exemptions and Final Authority
The policy does not apply to the IT Directorate internships, which follow separate guidelines, to the Kerala Judicial Academy, which follows its Board of Governors’ approval, or to specific programmes run with NUALS or other institutions. Notably, the Chief Justice retains the power to amend, modify or relax any clause.
Key Takeaway
The amended policy makes internships at the Kerala High Court more regulated and accountable. Students should check their eligibility, complete the briefing, apply through their institution and follow the conduct rules closely, since attendance and discipline directly affect certification.
Source: High Court of Kerala Notice dated 17-10-2026. – https://innnlegal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Internship_policy_for_the_HC2026_Amended___1_.pdf
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