BCI Recommends Rs. 20,000 Stipend in Urban Areas, Rs. 15,000 in Rural for Junior Advocates
Government Signals Support for Junior Advocates with Stipend Recommendation
In a development aimed at addressing longstanding income challenges faced by early-career lawyers, the Government informed the Parliament that the Bar Council of India (BCI) has recommended minimum monthly stipends for junior advocates.
The recommendation, although not binding, seeks to establish a benchmark that can be adopted through institutional mechanisms at the level of State Bar Councils, Bar Associations, and legal workplaces across the country.
During a session of the Lok Sabha, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, stated that the Bar Council of India has recognised the financial difficulties encountered by a large segment of junior lawyers and has accordingly issued a circular recommending a minimum stipend of Rs. 20,000 per month for junior advocates in urban areas and Rs. 15,000 per month for those in rural areas.
This information was part of a Press Information Bureau release dated 06.02.2026 shared with Parliament, underscoring the official nature of the communication.
The information provided was based on Circular No. BCI:D:5383/2024, dated 15 October 2024, addressed to all State Bar Councils and Bar Associations under the subject “Minimum Stipend for Junior Advocates associated with assisting Advocates/Senior Advocates/Law Firms.”
The circular noted that several states, such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand, have already introduced stipend or financial assistance measures for junior lawyers through various state government schemes, State Bar Council welfare mechanisms, and structured programmes of Bar Associations.
It was emphasised that in states like Maharashtra, any state-wide stipend scheme would require a proper implementation framework involving the State Bar Council and/or state government, including budgetary support, eligibility criteria, verification procedures, and audit mechanisms.
The move comes amid ongoing discussions in the legal fraternity about the sustainability of early-career law practice, especially for first-generation lawyers and those operating outside major metropolitan markets.
Advocates starting their careers often assist senior counsel or law firms in complex litigation and transactional work, yet many struggle with inconsistent earnings and protracted periods without structured compensation. By recommending a benchmark stipend, the Bar Council of India aims to initiate a framework that can, over time, facilitate more predictable financial support for junior lawyers.
While the circular’s recommendation does not automatically create enforceable entitlement, it represents a significant policy push. The directive was not accompanied by statutory force but sought to serve as guidance for State Bar Councils, Bar Associations, senior lawyers’ chambers, and law firms to consider and adopt in their practices in a manner tailored to local conditions.
The press release reaffirmed that the BCI is “aware that early-career income challenges are faced by a large segment of junior advocates,” and the recommendation was made to address such concerns.
The recommendation has drawn interest and commentary within law circles and on social platforms, with discussions centring on how such benchmarks might influence law firm practices and Bar Council welfare policies.
Advocates and law students have noted that a formalised stipend structure could help improve access to legal practice for under-represented groups and reduce financial barriers for talented law graduates seeking to enter practice. However, questions remain about implementation timelines, accountability frameworks, and adoption by the Bar Associations and employers in diverse legal markets.
The Bar Council of India’s move to recommend minimum stipend benchmarks reflects an acknowledgment by the statutory regulator of the structural hurdles faced by junior advocates. While the recommendation does not guarantee payment levels, its formal communication to all State Bar Councils and Bar Associations marks a policy milestone in the continuing debate over equitable support structures for the legal profession.
Issued By: PIB, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India.
Date: 06.02.2026.