TAMIL NADU STATE JUDICIAL ACADEMY
No.30(95), P.S.K.R.Salai, Greenways Road, R.A.Puram, Chennai-28.
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APPOINTMENT OF RESEARCH FELLOW AND RESEARCH ASSISTANT
“Guidelines for appointment of Research Fellow and Research
Assistant in the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy”
(As amended in pursuance of the resolution of the Hon’ble Governing Body of
TNSJA, dated 24.10.2017)
In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 229 of the Constitution of
India, the Hon’ble The Chief Justice is pleased to frame the following Guidelines for
appointment of Research Fellow and Research Assistant in the Tamil Nadu State
Judicial Academy.
1.Short Title :- The Guidelines provided herein shall be known as “Guidelines for
appointment of ‘Research Fellow’ and ‘Research Assistant’ in the Tamil Nadu State
Judicial Academy”.
2.Definitions :- Unless there is anything repugnant in the subject of context-
(i). “High Court” means the High Court of Madras.
(ii). “Academy” means the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy.
(iii). “Chief Justice” and ‘Patron-in-Chief” means the Hon’ble The Chief Justice
of the High Court of Madras.
(iv). “Board of Governors” means the Board of Governors of the Tamil Nadu
State Judicial Academy.
(v). “President” means the President of the Board of Governors of the Tamil
Nadu State Judicial Academy.
(vi). “Member” means the Member of the Board of Governors of the Tamil
Nadu State Judicial Academy.
(vii). “Judge” means the Hon’ble Judge of the High Court of Madras.
(viii). “Registrar General” means the Registrar General of the High Court of
Madras.
(ix). “Director” means the Director of the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy.
(x). “Universities” means the Universities established by Law in the Indian
Union.
(xi). “Website” means the Official website of the Tamil Nadu State Judicial
Academy and the High Court of Madras.
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3.Appointing Authority :- The Appointing Authority for the assignment as ‘Research
Fellow’ and ‘Research Assistant’ shall be the Hon’ble The Chief Justice.
4.Age :- (i).Must not have attained the age of 30 years as on 1st January or 1st July,
preceding the last date fixed for submission of applications.
(ii).He/She must be a citizen of India.
5.Minimum eligibility criteria for Research Fellow and Research Assistant :-
(i).Candidate should be a Post Graduate in Law (Under 10+2+3+3+2 or
10+2+5+2 pattern) from the recognized Universities in the Indian Union and
recognized by the Bar Council of India for admission as Advocate or Attorney of an
Indian Court, for the post of Research Fellow.
(ii).Candidate should be a Graduate in Law (under 10+2+3+3 or 10+2+5
pattern from the recognized Universities in the Indian Union and recognized by the
Bar Council of India for admission as Advocate or Attorney of an Indian Court, for
the post of Research Assistant.
(iii).Candidates who have obtained his/her Law Degree, Graduate and/or
Post Graduate, as the case may be, not earlier than two years, as on the date of
Notification, are only eligible to apply.
Note:- Educational Qualifications and other eligibility criteria may be relaxed in case
of exceptionally outstanding and deserving candidates by the Chief Justice of the High
Court of Madras.
*(iv) . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(v).Candidates pursuing Post Graduate Degree in Law or any other
Degrees or Programmes requiring their compulsory attendance elsewhere are not
eligible to apply for the assignment as Research Fellow and Research Assistant.
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*The Clause read as “iv.Candidates who have passed all his/her examination in the
first attempt are alone eligible to apply”, was deleted in pursuance of the resolution of
the Hon’ble Governing Body of TNSJA, dated 24.10.2017.
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6.Period of Assignment and De-Assignment of Research Fellow and Research
Assistant:-
(i).Research Fellow and Research Assistant will be adhoc appointees and
their engagement shall be initially for a period of one year from the date of their
assignment, which can be extended for a further period of not exceeding one more
year, subject to the approval of the Hon’ble The Chief Justice or Board of Governors
of the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy, Chennai, as may be authorized by the
Hon’ble The Chief Justice of the High Court of Madras.
(ii).However, the assignment of any Research Fellow/Research Assistant
may be discontinued even before the completion of one year, without notice, if his/her
services are found to be unsatisfactory.
(iii).The Candidates should join their assignment of Research Fellow/
Research Assistant within the period specified in their order of appointment. No
request for extension of time for joining the assignment of Research Fellow/ Research
Assistant will be entertained, under any circumstances.
(iv).Research Fellow/Research Assistant shall not be treated or deemed to
be a regular employee either in the Madras High Court Service or of the Tamil Nadu
State Judicial Academy.
(v).Any Research Fellow/Research Assistant intended to leave the
assignment as Research Fellow/Research Assistant within a period of one year, shall
be required to give prior notice of three months.
7.Selection Process :-
(i).Selection for the assignment of Research Fellow/Research Assistant
shall be made by way of Notification, inviting applications from the willing and
eligible candidates.
(ii).Prominent Law Schools/Universities may recommend their Alumni/
Alumnae residing at Chennai.
(iii).Such applications shall be made in the form as may be prescribed,
which can be downloaded from the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy and the
Madras High Court websites and it should be accompanied with the copies of
documents, as enumerated therein.
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(iv).Eligible Candidates will have to appear for Viva Voce at Chennai in
their own expenses on the date, time and venue, to be intimated to them.
(v).The selection shall be made by the Hon’ble The Chief Justice or a
Committee comprising the President and/or all/some/any of the Members, as may be
nominated by the Hon’ble The Chief Justice.
(vi).The selection shall be based on merit and the list of candidates by the
Hon’ble Committee, shall be subject to the approval of the Hon’ble The Chief Justice.
8.Duties and Responsibilities assigned to Research Fellow/Research Assistant:-
(i).Research Fellow :- Duties and Responsibilities of the Research
Fellow, will be assigned from time-to-time, as may be decided by the Board of
Governors of the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy, Chennai with the approval of
the Hon’ble The Chief Justice.
(ii).Research Assistant :- Duties and Responsibilities of the Research
Assistant, will be assigned from time-to-time, as may be decided by the Board of
Governors of the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy, Chennai with the approval of
the Hon’ble The Chief Justice.
9.Record of Attendance of Research Fellows and Research Assistants :-
The Research Fellow and Research Assistants should mark their
attendance in the Attendance Register kept in the Director’s Chamber, before they
proceed to their Seat at the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy.
10.Leave Entitlement :-
(i).Research Fellow/Research Assistant shall be entitled to One day
Casual Leave for each Calendar Month. The unavailed Casual Leave in a particular
month may be carried forward, subject to maximum eligibility of 12 days of Casual
Leave in a Calendar Year.
(ii).However, they will be permitted to proceed on Casual Leave, only
with prior permission of the Director of the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy.
(iii).If, any Research Fellow/Research Assistant is found to be exceeding
the permissible limit of 12 days of Casual Leave in a Calendar Year, necessary
deductions will be made from their monthly pay, on pro-rata basis.
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11.Honorarium :-
(i).Research Fellow shall be paid Rs.22,500/- (Rupees twenty two
thousand five hundred only) and Research Assistant shall be paid Rs.15,000/- (Rupees
fifteen thousand only) per month, as consolidated pay, for their assignment.
(ii).Research Fellow and Research Assistant shall not be entitled to any
other allowances or perks.
12.Bar to practice as Advocate or taking up employment :-
(i).No Research Fellow and Research Assistant during the currency of
their assignment shall be entitled to practice as an Advocate in any Court of Law or
Tribunal or Authority and it will be obligatory for them, after accepting the
assignment as Research Fellow/Research Assistant, to inform the Bar Council
concerned, in writing, that he/she shall not practice as an Advocate as long as he/she
continues with the assignment as Research Fellow/Research Assistant.
(ii).The Research Fellow/Research Assistant during the currency of their
assignment shall not be entitled to take up any employment or engagement of
whatsoever nature either on full-time or part-time basis.
13.Conduct of Research Fellow and Research Assistant :-
During the assignment, every Research Fellow/Research Assistant shall
maintain a high standard of reputation and integrity commensurate with the
responsibilities entrusted to him/her.
14.Access available to Research Fellow/Research Assistant :-
Research Fellow and Research Assistant are permitted access to the
Computers and Internet facilities as available in the Tamil Nadu State Judicial
Academy.
15.Dress Code for Research Fellow/Research Assistant:-
(i).For Male Research Fellow/Research Assistant – White/Black Pant,
White Shirt, Black Coat, Black Tie, Black Shoe.
(ii).For Female Research Fellow/Research Assistant – White/Off-White
Saree, White/Off-White blouse, Black Coat with Full Sleeve.
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