GSJAS

The scheme aims to provide monthly financial assistance to young Junior Advocates in the Union territory of Puducherry. The benefit is a stipend of ₹5,000/- per month for up to two years offered to eligible Law Graduates who are citizens and residents of Puducherry.

The scheme "Grant of Stipend to Junior Advocates Scheme" was launched by the Law Department, UT of Puducherry. The scheme aims to provide for monthly financial assistance to 25 numbers of young Junior Advocates in the Union territory of Puducherry, every year. The scheme provides monthly financial assistance of ₹5,000/-, payable to the eligible Junior Advocates for a period of two years or till starting independent practice, whichever is earlier. The scheme is implemented by the Law Department of the UT of Puducherry. The applications for this scheme are accepted in the month of April every year.

• 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.

• 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.

##### Benefit Disbursal

• 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.

##### Conditions

• 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.