Scholarship
Grant of Stipend to Junior Advocates Scheme(GSJAS)
Overview
About GSJAS
The Grant of Stipend to Junior Advocates Scheme is a state welfare measure of the Union territory of Puducherry that gives beginning advocates a fixed monthly stipend during their first years in litigation practice. It is run by the Law Department of the Government of Puducherry and operates under the Grant of Stipend to the Junior Advocates Scheme Rules, 2020.
The aim is narrow and practical. Young law graduates who join the Bar often earn little while they build a practice, and the stipend is meant to cushion that early period so that entrants without independent means can stay in the profession. The benefit is paid in cash and runs for a set number of years.
Support is directed at junior advocates who are citizens and residents of Puducherry and who have enrolled to practise there. The department invites applications from eligible candidates each year.
Sources: Law Department, Government of Puducherry - official website · Grant of Stipend to Junior Advocates Scheme Rules, 2020 (Law Department, Puducherry) · Grant of Stipend to Junior Advocates Scheme - myScheme (Government of India)
Who runs it
Provider
Puducherry State Government
State / UT Government
Law and Judicial Department, Puducherry
At a glance
Key details
| Level | State/ UT |
| Scheme type | — |
| Category | Public Safety,Law & Justice |
| Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit type | Cash |
| Application mode | Offline |
Calendar
Important dates
Across all open application cycles.
| Cycle | Stage | Date |
|---|
Who can apply
Eligibility criteria
| The applicant must be a citizen of India. | |
| The applicant must be a native by birth or resident of the Union territory of Puducherry for a continuous period of five years. | |
| The applicant must have pursued a Law degree in any Government Law College. | |
| The applicant must be a Law Graduate. | |
| The applicant must have enrolled in the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. | |
| The applicant must have passed the All India Bar Examination conducted by the Bar Council of India. | |
| The applicant's family income must not exceed ₹2,00,000/- per annum. | |
| The applicant must not be above 30 years of age. | |
| The applicant must comply with the rules of the scheme guidelines during the period of financial assistance. | |
| Preference, Priority, Reservation, Relaxation, Earmarking, etc. | |
| Reservation: The Rule of reservation notified by the UT of Puducherry for Government employment shall be followed.- Earmarking: One-third of the beneficiaries shall be women.- Selection Criteria (Merit): Selection will be based on the marks obtained in the qualifying examination (Bachelor's Degree in Law).- Selection Criteria (Merit): Selection will be based on the marks secured in the 12th Standard Board examination.- Selection Criteria (Merit): Negative marks will be applied for additional attempts in the qualifying examination. |
What you get
Award & benefits
- The scheme provides a stipend of ₹5,000/- per month with effect from 01.04.2019.
- The previous stipend amount was ₹3,000/- per month from 01.01.2018 to 31.03.2019.
- The stipend is provided to 25 eligible Junior Advocates every year.
- Duration Limit: The assistance is provided for a period of two years or till starting independent practice, whichever is earlier, calculated from the date of passing the All India Bar Examination.- Mode: The stipend amount shall be released by Direct Benefit Transfer method.- Review: The performance of Junior Advocates shall be reviewed once in six months before further extending the stipend period.- Undertaking Required: Disbursement is made only after obtaining an Undertaking from the beneficiary.
- The beneficiary must comply with Rule 6 of these rules during the period of financial assistance.
- The Junior Advocate must regularly attend the Free legal aid camps conducted by the Union territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority.
- The Junior Advocate must conduct the legal aid cases allotted to him/her by the Legal Aid Committee and the respective Courts.
- The Junior Advocate must assist the Courts as an Intern.
- The Junior Advocate must regularly attend the Chamber of the Senior Advocate with whom he is attached.
- The Junior Advocate must obtain a regular practice certificate every three months from the President/Secretary of the Bar Association concerned.
- The Junior Advocate must assist on rotation basis, the Government Pleader / Public Prosecutor or Additional Government Pleader / Additional Public Prosecutor or Assistant Government Pleader or Assistant Public Prosecutor within the concerned area of practice at least for a period of three months.
- The beneficiary must undertake to refund the entire stipend received, along with 6% Simple Interest to the Government, in the event they leave the profession within a period of five years from the date of his/her enrolment, unless they have entered Government service.
What to prepare
Documents required
Step by step
How to apply
- 1Apply offline
See the official links below for the application portal.
Source
Official links
Questions
GSJAS – FAQ
Disclaimer
Scheme details are compiled from myScheme, the Government of India’s official scheme-discovery platform, and are reproduced without alteration. Amounts, deadlines and eligibility change between cycles — always confirm on the official links above before applying. Expertie does not process applications or charge fees.