The High Court of Kerala has officially updated its 2026 internship policy, introducing a centralized digital application framework and rigorous disciplinary guidelines for law students interning within its premises. The amended regulations, which supersede previous versions, mandate that all future internship coordination will be routed through a dedicated online module supervised by the Public Relations Officer, significantly tightening the oversight of student activity across various judicial sections.

Under the new policy, eligibility criteria have been strictly refined. Law students are now required to be in the final two years of their respective degree programs to qualify for an internship. While this restriction aims to ensure that interns possess a foundational understanding of legal practice, the court has provided a discretionary clause, allowing judges to waive these requirements for students interning directly under their chambers. This structural shift is intended to streamline the administrative burden of handling a high volume of applicants while ensuring that court resources are directed toward students best prepared for practical engagement.

The development of a dedicated online module serves as the cornerstone of the revised policy. This platform is designed to track available slots in real-time, maintain attendance records, and ensure that the number of interns within the High Court complex does not exceed prescribed safety limits. According to the policy, "In order to streamline the process of application of the interns and to ensure strict adherence to safety and capacity protocols within the High Court premises, an online module may be developed, monitoring the interns permitted within the High Court premises at any given time." Until this digital infrastructure is fully operational, applicants must continue to submit their requests via physical channels, requiring endorsement from the heads of their respective academic institutions.

The policy places a strong emphasis on professional conduct and the preservation of courtroom decorum . Interns are explicitly prohibited from using mobile phones, cameras, or any recording devices while inside courtrooms or other sensitive areas. The guidelines state: "Any intern found engaging in photography, video recording, or audio capture and propagating it on social media, compromising the security of High Court, shall be subject to immediate termination of internship." Furthermore, students are required to adhere to a formal dress code consistent with the standards established by the Bar Council of India , excluding the use of bands, coats, and gowns. Failure to maintain these standards or disruptive behavior within the court complex can lead to immediate termination of the internship and notification to the student's parent institution.

The Public Relations Officer of the High Court of Kerala now functions as the primary point of contact for all internship matters, tasked with managing the program and liaising with stakeholders. This includes offices such as the Advocate General, the Additional Solicitor General for India, the Kerala State Legal Services Authority, and the Mediation Centre. By centralizing the management of these programs, the court aims to ensure consistency in how interns are supervised, regardless of the office in which they are placed. Each intern will be provided with a clearly defined list of accessible chambers and sections, and they are expected to confine their presence to these designated areas during their tenure.

Pre-induction briefing requirements have also been formalized. All prospective interns must confirm that they have completed a mandatory briefing module to understand the rules and expectations of the High Court before they are permitted to submit an application. This is supplemented by post-induction instructions, where the Private Secretary to a judge or a designated Court Officer provides granular guidance on specific court etiquette and manners. The policy underscores that attendance is the primary metric for certification; only actual days of physical presence within the High Court are counted toward the final internship certificate.

In terms of seating and spatial management, the policy notes that interns must prioritize the needs of advocates and litigants. Within the courtroom, interns may be accommodated only if space permits and are expected to vacate their seats immediately upon request. The regulation further mandates that interns must carry their institutional identity cards at all times to ensure security and identification within the high-security zone of the court.

The amended policy marks a significant departure from previous, less structured approaches to student engagement. By formalizing the role of the Registrar General and the Public Relations Officer in overseeing the program, the High Court of Kerala seeks to maintain the sanctity of judicial proceedings while providing a professional environment for legal education. The policy remains in effect as of October 17, 2026, and the Chief Justice of the High Court retains the authority to further modify or relax these provisions as deemed necessary for the effective management of the institution. As the court moves toward a fully digitized application process, these measures are expected to create a more efficient and disciplined atmosphere for all interns traversing the corridors of the High Court.