Human Rights Lawyer
Fights for individuals and groups who have been denied the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India.
Overview
Human Rights Lawyers fight for individuals or groups of people who have been denied basic human rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution of India. They work to ensure that the basic rights of every human being, especially disadvantaged groups such as LGBTQ people, women, differently abled persons, and ethnic and religious minorities, are protected.
Where they work
- Human rights courts
- Public prosecution
- Legal consultancy firms
- Non-governmental organizations
- Human rights agencies
- Social welfare departments
- Corporates
- Media houses
Work environment
This is not a desk job and you will need to travel to different geographies, even remote ones (e.g. for collecting evidence). You may have to work with a team with extended working hours. Entrepreneurship: you can work as a consultant or a freelancer.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You like helping people
- You like to get into discussion about issues
- You are interested to work for a charitable institution
- You can comfortably talk with all kinds of people
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any stream.
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree (BA/B.Sc/B.Com/BBA/LLB) in any subject followed by a Master's degree in Human Rights Law.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree (BA/B.Sc/B.Com/BBA/LLB) in any subject followed by a PG Diploma in Human Rights Law.
Forms, exams and applications
For admission to law colleges the card names entrance exams such as CLAT, AILET, LSAT, MH CET Law, TS LAWCET, AP LAWCET, DU LLB, PU LLB and SLS AIAT. Exam names, eligibility and dates change — check the official notification.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This course is offered by the Department of Law. This list of institutes is indicative only. Please check if a private institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC before applying.
Government institutes
- National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- University of Delhi, New Delhi
- Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Government Law College, Kozhikode, Kerala
- Indian Institute of Legal Studies, Dagapur, Siliguri, West Bengal
- Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani, Uttarakhand
- National Law University, Sonipat, Haryana
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Law College Dehradun, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Desh Bhagat University, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab
- Christ College of Law, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- NEF Law College, Guwahati, Assam
- Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Army Institute of Law, Mohali, Punjab
- Ashoka Law College, Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir
- G. D. Goenka University, Gurugram, Haryana
- BMS College of Law, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- IILM University, Gurugram, Haryana
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Intern/Trainee Lawyer
- 2Junior Associate or Junior Advocate
- 3Associate or Advocate
- 4Senior Associate or Senior Advocate
Expected income
₹20,000 – ₹35,000 per month
The figures are indicative and subject to change. The card's source is an AmbitionBox page for advocates at one organisation (Human Rights Law Network), so it reflects that employer only.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Social Worker
Helps individuals, families and communities facing poverty, mental health issues, addiction, domestic violence or disability to improve their well-being.
Lawyer/Law Officer/Advocate
Trained and licensed to advise, represent and advocate for clients in legal matters.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Arts, Any Stream.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to helping people.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Sunil Gurmukh — A human rights lawyer and visiting lecturer at Western Law, Canada. He has a B.Com from Queen's University (2005) and an LL.B. from Western University (2008). He has been recognised for his human rights work, receiving the 2016 Precedent Setter Award and the 2017 Hennessy V.S.O.P. Privilège Award, and was named in Bay Street Bull's 2017 Power 50 Guide.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 767 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.ambitionbox.com/salaries/human-rights-law-network-salaries/advocate-lawyer
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
To practise law in India you need a recognised law degree (LLB or a five-year integrated LLB) and enrolment with a State Bar Council; a master's degree or PG diploma in human rights on its own does not qualify you to practise — check the Bar Council of India's rules. The card gives two growth routes — Intern/Trainee Lawyer → Junior Associate → Associate → Senior Associate, or Intern → Junior Advocate → Advocate → Senior Advocate — combined step by step here. Law College Dehradun, listed under government institutes, is a private college, so it is shown under private institutes; Uttarakhand Open University is printed as being in Dehradun but is headquartered in Haldwani — verify on the official website.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.