IPR Internships in India 2026: IP Law Firms, Government Opportunities & How to Apply
If you are a law student interested in intellectual property law, an IPR internship can give you exposure to a very different kind of legal work.
Instead of spending the entire internship doing general legal research, you may work on trademark searches, patent research, copyright issues, IP litigation, examination reports, opposition proceedings, legal drafting and research on recent IP judgments.
The important part is choosing the right type of internship.
A specialised IP law firm may give you exposure to trademark or patent prosecution. A litigation-focused practice may expose you to court proceedings and pleadings. A government internship can show you how the IP registration system works, while a research organisation can help you develop your writing and policy skills.
This guide covers IPR internships in India in 2026, the types of organisations law students can apply to, what interns actually do, how to apply, and how to make your application stronger.
What Does an IPR Intern Actually Do?
Before applying to an IP firm, understand what the work can look like.
An IPR internship can involve:
- Trademark searches and analysis
- Trademark availability research
- Patent prior-art research
- Researching patentability issues
- Copyright research
- Preparing case-law notes
- Researching infringement and passing-off disputes
- Drafting legal notices
- Assisting with trademark oppositions
- Researching examination reports and office objections
- Preparing research notes for litigation
- Assisting with pleadings and written submissions
- Researching recent IP judgments
- Tracking proceedings before IP offices and courts
- Preparing legal articles and case comments
The actual work depends heavily on the organisation.
For example, K&S Partners describes its internship programme around areas including trademarks, copyright, geographical indications, domain names, patents and designs, while S.S. Rana & Co. says interns assist with research, drafting and ongoing matters involving IP and other areas.
That is why the name of the organisation should not be the only thing you look at.
Types of IPR Internships in India
There are four broad routes you can consider.
1. Specialised IP Law Firms
If you want to build a career specifically in intellectual property, specialised IP firms are one of the most direct ways to understand the profession.
Some firms to research include:
Anand & Anand
Anand & Anand has a dedicated internship application on its careers page. Its application asks students to indicate their preferred department, including litigation, trademarks, patents, designs and copyright. It also asks whether the applicant has studied IP law and includes IP-related essay questions.
This makes the firm particularly useful as an example of how specialised IP firms can evaluate applicants: they are not simply asking for a CV; they are also testing the student’s understanding and interest in IP.
K&S Partners
K&S Partners is an IP-focused firm with internship programmes covering areas such as:
- Trade marks
- Copyright
- Geographical indications
- Domain names
- Patents
- Designs
The firm states that internships generally run for 2–4 weeks and take place throughout the year. Its selection process includes an online assessment evaluating general professional knowledge and writing ability.
This is important for students to understand: for some IP firms, knowing basic IP law is not enough. Legal writing and analytical ability can form part of the selection process.
S.S. Rana & Co.
S.S. Rana & Co. runs internship programmes involving intellectual property, corporate law and dispute resolution.
The firm’s internship information states that interns can gain exposure to trademarks, patents, copyrights, litigation and corporate advisory, along with research, drafting and work with senior professionals.
Its current openings also describe internship work involving legal research, drafting and inputs into ongoing matters.
Fidus Law Chambers
Fidus Law Chambers offers internships throughout the year, generally for four weeks.
Its official internship page specifically requires students to have completed intellectual property law as part of their coursework. Applicants are asked to send a resume, short cover letter, preferred dates and an original writing sample of up to 500 words.
Other IP firms to research
You can also look at firms and IP practices such as:
- Remfry & Sagar
- Chadha & Chadha IP
- Krishna & Saurastri Associates
- Intellect Goodwill
- Rahul Chaudhry & Partners
- M&P IP Protectors
- illuminIP
- RNA, IP Attorneys
- Khurana & Khurana
2. Government IPR Internships
If you want to understand how India’s intellectual property system works beyond private practice, government organisations can provide a different kind of exposure.
Intellectual Property India / CGPDTM
The official Intellectual Property India website is the first place to check for government IP programmes and notices.
The CGPDTM ecosystem covers areas including:
- Patents
- Designs
- Trade Marks
- Geographical Indications
- Copyright
- IP training and awareness
Its official website also maintains a training section with an Internship option.
Important: Government internship notices can change from one programme to another. Therefore, don’t rely on eligibility criteria or deadlines copied from an old internship article.
Copyright Office
The Copyright Office has an official internship programme for law students.
Its guidelines state that the programme is intended to familiarise students with the Copyright Act, registration formalities and copyright policy. The guidelines cover specified years of 3-year and 5-year law programmes and state that the internship is normally for one month, with the possibility of extension.
The programme is therefore different from an ordinary private-firm internship. You are learning how copyright administration and registration work from the government side.
3. IP Research and Policy Internships
Not every IPR career involves filing trademarks or appearing in court.
If you enjoy legal research, writing and policy, research organisations can be a better fit.
SpicyIP
SpicyIP is one of the most recognisable IP-focused research and writing platforms in India.
Its internship is specifically centred around research, writing and analysis in IP and innovation law and policy. The organisation says it receives 100–200 applications every month and generally takes only a small number of interns. It therefore recommends applying at least three months before the desired internship period.
The application requires:
- Updated CV
- One IP-centric writing sample
- One-page explanation of your interest in IP
- Proposed internship dates
The organisation also specifically warns applicants against submitting generic or AI-generated statements of interest.
So if you want to apply here, don’t write: “I am passionate about intellectual property law and would love to learn from your esteemed organisation.” Instead, show that you have actually read and thought about IP law. For example, submit a short case comment, research article or analysis of a recent IP development.
4. Boutique IP Practices
Don’t restrict your search to famous IP firms. Smaller IP practices can sometimes provide exposure to a wider range of work because there are fewer people between you and the lawyer handling the matter.
You may encounter work involving:
- Trademark applications
- Trademark searches
- Opposition proceedings
- Copyright registration
- Patent research
- Client correspondence
- Legal notices
- IP litigation
- Drafting
- Registry work
But there is an important trade-off. A smaller firm can give you significant hands-on exposure, but the quality of the internship depends heavily on who is supervising you and what work the firm actually gives interns. So before accepting an internship, ask: What kind of work will I be doing?
IPR Litigation vs IP Prosecution: Which Internship Should You Choose?
This is one of the most important decisions to make before applying.
If you are interested in IP litigation
Look for internships involving:
- High Court litigation
- Trademark infringement
- Passing off
- Copyright disputes
- Patent litigation
- Commercial suits
- Appeals
- Rectification proceedings
- Written submissions and pleadings
The Delhi High Court’s Intellectual Property Division is particularly relevant to students interested in IP litigation. The IP Division was created after the abolition of the IPAB and deals with specialised intellectual-property disputes. The Delhi High Court has also advertised opportunities connected with its IP Division, including law-researcher positions.
If your long-term interest is litigation, therefore, don’t search only for jobs titled “IPR Internship.” Also search for: IP litigation internship
trademark litigation internship
patent litigation internship
Delhi High Court IP internship
IP law chamber internship
If you are interested in IP prosecution
Look for firms where interns work on:
- Trademark applications
- Trademark searches
- Examination reports
- Responses to objections
- Oppositions
- Patent applications
- Prior-art searches
- Patent prosecution
- Design registration
- Copyright registration
This is a different skill set from courtroom litigation. If you want to become a patent-focused lawyer, also remember that technical knowledge can become particularly important for patent work.
How to Apply for an IPR Internship
Step 1: Choose your IP area
Don’t simply write: “I am interested in IPR.” Try to identify your actual interest.
For example: Primary: Trademark law, Secondary: IP litigation
or:
Primary: Patent prosecution, Secondary: Technology law
This makes your application more specific.
Step 2: Prepare a one-page CV
Your CV should make the IP connection obvious.
If you have them, highlight:
- IPR coursework
- IP-related moots
- Research papers
- IP articles
- Case comments
- Research projects
- IP certificates
- Relevant competitions
- Previous IP internships
If your CV contains ten unrelated activities before the reader reaches anything related to IP, the application becomes less focused.
Step 3: Have an IP writing sample ready
This can be extremely useful.
You don’t necessarily need a 3,000-word research paper.
A 500–1,000 word case comment on a recent trademark, copyright or patent judgment can be enough to demonstrate:
- Research ability
- Legal analysis
- Writing ability
- Genuine interest in IP
This is particularly relevant because some IP organisations explicitly request writing samples. Fidus, for example, asks applicants for an original writing sample of no more than 500 words, while SpicyIP requires an IP-centric writing sample.
Step 4: Write a Personalised Email
Your internship email does not need to be long.
A useful structure is: Subject: Application for IPR Internship – [Month, Year] – [Your Name]
Dear Sir/Ma’am,
I am a [year] year B.A. LL.B. student at [University] seeking an internship during [dates]. I am particularly interested in trademark litigation and IP prosecution, and recently worked on [specific IP-related research/article/moot]. I would be grateful for an opportunity to intern with your team during the proposed period.
Regards,
[Name]
The important part isn’t the exact wording. It is the specificity. “Passionate about law” tells the recruiter almost nothing. “Recently wrote a case comment on a trademark passing-off judgment” gives them something concrete.
Step 5: Apply Through the Current Official Channel
This is particularly important for internship lists.
Old blogs and internship websites often contain:
- Old email addresses
- Expired deadlines
- Previous eligibility criteria
- Positions that are no longer available
Use internship websites to discover opportunities, but verify the opportunity through the organisation’s own website wherever possible.
For example, Anand & Anand currently provides an internship form on its official careers page, K&S Partners has an online internship application, and M&P IP Protectors provides a dedicated internship application.
Step 6: Follow Up — But Don’t Spam
If you haven’t received a response, one polite follow-up is reasonable.
A simple follow-up can be:
Dear Sir/Ma’am,
I am writing to follow up on my internship application for [month/year] submitted on [date]. I would be grateful if you could let me know whether my application can be considered for the proposed period.
Regards,
[Name]
Then move on to other applications.
When Should You Apply for IPR Internships?
Don’t wait until the month before your internship.
Some IP organisations explicitly ask students to apply months in advance.
For example:
- SpicyIP: recommends applying at least 3 months before the intended internship.
- M&P IP Protectors: asks applicants to apply around 2 months in advance.
- K&S Partners: conducts internship programmes throughout the year, generally lasting 2–4 weeks.
What Should You Know Before Your First IPR Internship?
You don’t need to become an IP expert before your internship. But you should understand the basics of the major statutes:
Trade Marks
Know the basic framework of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, including:
- Registration
- Relative and absolute grounds
- Opposition
- Infringement
- Passing off
- Well-known trademarks
Patents
Understand the basic structure of the Patents Act, 1970, particularly:
- Patentability
- Novelty
- Inventive step
- Industrial applicability
- Specification
- Examination
- Opposition
- Infringement
Copyright
Know the basics of the Copyright Act, 1957, including:
- Copyright ownership
- Assignment
- Licensing
- Infringement
- Exceptions
- Registration
You should also know how to perform basic searches on the relevant IP databases.
7 Things You Should Avoid
1. Applying with the same email everywhere
A recruiter can tell when an application has been mass-sent.
2. Sending a generic CV
If you are applying for an IP internship, make relevant IP experience easy to find.
3. Applying only to famous firms
Don’t ignore smaller IP practices, research organisations and specialised lawyers.
4. Waiting until the last minute
Some programmes fill months in advance. SpicyIP explicitly states that its slots can be filled 4–6 months ahead.
5. Paying someone simply for an internship certificate
Be particularly careful with organisations that ask students to pay merely to “confirm” an internship.
6. Relying on an old internship article
A 2023 or 2024 article can still be useful for discovering names, but the application details may no longer be current.
IPR Internship Opportunities: Where Should You Start?
Instead of creating a list of 50 firms and pretending every one is currently accepting applications, build your search around these categories:
IP-focused law firms
- Anand & Anand
- K&S Partners
- S.S. Rana & Co.
- Fidus Law Chambers
- Remfry & Sagar
- M&P IP Protectors
- illuminIP
- Other specialised IP practices
Government / institutional
- Intellectual Property India / CGPDTM
- Copyright Office
- Other government IP programmes announced through official notices
Research / policy
- SpicyIP
- IP research centres
- Policy organisations working on innovation and intellectual property
Litigation
- IP litigation practices
- Chambers handling trademark/patent/copyright disputes
- Lawyers practising before the Delhi High Court IP Division
The Delhi High Court’s IP Division is now an established institutional route for specialised IP litigation, so students interested in disputes should specifically look for opportunities connected with lawyers and chambers practising in this area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best IPR internship for a law student?
There isn’t one type of IPR internship that fits every student.
If you want trademark or patent prosecution, look for specialised IP firms. If you want courtroom exposure, look for IP litigation practices. If you enjoy research and writing, consider organisations such as SpicyIP. If you want to understand IP administration, government programmes can be relevant.
The right choice depends on the type of IP work you want to learn.
Can first-year law students apply for IPR internships?
Yes, some organisations accept students from early years, but eligibility varies significantly. Some firms prefer students who have already studied IP law, while others accept students based on their demonstrated interest and profile.
Always check the specific organisation’s requirements.
Do I need to study IPR before applying?
Not necessarily.
However, studying the subject can strengthen your application. Some organisations explicitly require or prefer applicants who have already studied IP law. Fidus Law Chambers, for example, states that applicants must have completed intellectual property law as part of their coursework.
Is an IPR internship useful for a corporate law career?
It can be, particularly if you are interested in technology, media, brands, licensing, commercialisation or other areas where IP intersects with business.
However, an internship focused entirely on IP litigation or prosecution will naturally give you more specialised IP exposure.
Are IPR internships paid?
Some are paid and some are unpaid.
Do not assume that a particular firm pays interns simply because another IP firm does. Check the current internship information before applying.
For example, SpicyIP states that selected interns receive a stipend based on their performance, while other programmes may not mention a stipend.
Where can I find IPR internships in India?
Start with:
- Official careers pages of IP law firms
- IP India / CGPDTM notices
- Copyright Office
- IP research organisations
- Law internship platforms like The LawCademy
- Your law school’s alumni network
Conclusion
An IPR internship is most useful when you know what kind of IP work you want to experience before you apply.
If you want litigation, search for IP disputes and High Court practices. If you want trademark or patent prosecution, focus on specialised IP firms. If you enjoy research and writing, look at IP-focused research organisations. If you want to understand the administrative side of intellectual property, monitor government programmes.
Then build your application around that interest.
A one-page CV, a relevant writing sample and a specific email will usually tell an IP recruiter much more about you than a long generic statement about being “passionate about law.”
Start early, verify every opportunity from its current source, and focus on the work you will actually get to do—not just the name on the internship certificate.
