Published on: 14 Feb, 2026 18:21 IST
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has recommended a minimum monthly stipend benchmark of ₹20,000 for junior advocates in urban areas and ₹15,000 for those in rural areas, aiming to alleviate the financial hardships faced by early-career lawyers. This advisory guideline, issued via Circular No. BCI:D:5383/2024 dated October 15, 2024, was recently highlighted by the Government in Parliament, sparking discussions on fair compensation and professional sustainability in the legal fraternity.
The recommendation was brought to the attention of the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, in a written response on February 6, 2026. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) release emphasized that the BCI recognizes the significant income challenges confronting a large segment of junior advocates, particularly in their initial years of practice.
The circular, addressed to all State Bar Councils and Bar Associations, encourages the adoption of these figures as a baseline for stipends paid to junior advocates assisting senior advocates, advocates, or law firms. It acknowledges regional economic variations, setting a higher threshold for urban settings where living costs are typically elevated.
Key details from the BCI recommendation and Government statement include:
- Urban Areas: Minimum monthly stipend benchmark of ₹20,000.
- Rural Areas: Minimum monthly stipend benchmark of ₹15,000.
- Nature of the Recommendation: Advisory and non-binding; it does not create a legally enforceable entitlement or mandate automatic compliance.
- Purpose: To serve as a guideline that State Bar Councils, Bar Associations, and individual seniors/law firms may adopt voluntarily to support junior lawyers.
- Existing State-Level Initiatives: Several states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand, have already implemented stipend schemes, financial assistance programs, or welfare measures for junior advocates through government, State Bar Council, or Bar Association channels.
The BCI’s move follows longstanding concerns raised by courts and the judiciary about low or unpaid work for juniors. For instance, the Delhi High Court had previously directed the BCI to address pleas on minimum stipends, and CJI Sanjiv Khanna has publicly supported the idea of fair pay for new entrants to the profession.
While welcomed by many as a positive step toward recognizing junior advocates’ contributions and reducing exploitation, the non-mandatory status has drawn mixed reactions. Critics argue that without statutory backing or enforcement mechanisms, implementation may remain inconsistent, depending on local bar bodies, seniors, and economic realities. Senior lawyers and legal experts have hailed it as a benchmark that could influence negotiations and gradually improve standards.
As of February 2026, no nationwide mandatory rule has been enacted, and the focus remains on encouraging voluntary adoption. The development underscores ongoing efforts to make the legal profession more accessible and equitable, particularly for first-generation lawyers and those from modest backgrounds facing high entry barriers.
This update draws from official PIB releases, BCI circulars, and recent parliamentary disclosures, reflecting the latest available information on the issue.