Rajasthan SLSA Recruitment 2026 – Apply Offline for 10 Legal Aid Defense Counsel Posts

The Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (Rajasthan SLSA) has released a notification for the recruitment of 10 vacancies for the posts of Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel, Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel, and Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel. This is a contract-based engagement for legal professionals specializing in criminal law, aimed at providing legal aid defense services across various districts in Rajasthan.

Vacancy Details

Note: No Deputy Chief posts are listed in the specific district breakdown provided in the notification. Total posts listed in the breakdown: 10 (5 Chief + 5 Assistant).

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel

• Essential: Practice in criminal law for at least 10 years.
• Experience: Must have handled at least 30 criminal trials in Sessions Courts (relaxable in appropriate circumstances).
• Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent understanding of criminal law and ethical duties of defense counsel; ability to work effectively and efficiently with others and lead the team.
• Desirable: Knowledge of computer systems preferable and capacity to manage the office.

Eligibility for Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel

• Essential: Practice in criminal law for at least 7 years.
• Experience: Must have handled at least 20 criminal trials in Sessions Courts (may be relaxed in exceptional circumstances).
• Skills: Excellent understanding of criminal law and oral and written communication skills; skill in legal research and understanding of ethical duties of defense counsel; ability to work effectively and efficiently with others.
• Desirable: IT knowledge with proficiency in work.

Eligibility for Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel

• Essential: Practice in criminal law from 0 to 3 years.
• Experience: N/A (Freshers eligible up to 3 years experience).
• Skills: Good oral and written communication skills; thorough understanding of ethical duties of defense counsel; ability to work effectively and efficiently with others; excellent writing and research skills.
• Desirable: IT knowledge with high proficiency in work.

Note: Qualifications may be reasonably relaxed in case of exceptional candidates or circumstances with approval of Executive Chairman, SLSA.

Salary / Honorarium

The honorarium (Retainership fee) is slab-based depending on the class of town:

• Class-A Towns (Population > 10 Lakhs):
  • Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel: ₹ 70,000 to ₹ 1,00,000 per month
  • Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel: ₹ 50,000 to ₹ 75,000 per month
  • Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel: ₹ 25,000 to ₹ 45,000 per month
• Class-B Towns (Population 2 Lakhs – 10 Lakhs):
  • Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel: ₹ 65,000 to ₹ 80,000 per month
  • Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel: ₹ 40,000 to ₹ 60,000 per month
  • Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel: ₹ 20,000 to ₹ 35,000 per month
• Class-C Towns (Population < 2 Lakhs):
  • Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel: ₹ 60,000 to ₹ 70,000 per month
  • Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel: ₹ 30,000 to ₹ 50,000 per month
  • Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel: ₹ 20,000 to ₹ 30,000 per month

How to Apply

Interested candidates must follow these steps to apply Offline:

1. Download the Scheme of engagement along with the Application Form (Performa) from the official website of Rajasthan SLSA or the Notice Board of the concerned District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).
2. Fill the Application Form for Chief/Deputy/Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel with a recent passport size photo and required details.
3. Submit the duly filled Application Form along with self-attested copies of required documents to the concerned DLSA (not the State SLSA).
4. Applications can be submitted via Speed Post or personally in the office of the Secretary, DLSA.
5. Last Date: Applications must reach on or before 23.01.2026 by 17:00 Hrs.

Important: Applications received after the due date or sent to Rajasthan SLSA instead of the concerned DLSA will not be considered.

Selection Process

• Selection will be based on a fair, transparent, and competitive process conducted by DLSA under the guidance of SLSA.
• Selection will be purely based on merit considering knowledge, skills, practice, and experience.
• The Selection Committee will be chaired by the Principal District & Sessions Judge (Chairman, DLSA) with at least three senior judicial officers dealing mainly with criminal cases.
• Final approval is required from the Executive Chairman, SLSA.
• Engagement is initially on a contract basis for two years, with yearly extensions based on satisfactory performance.

Important Links

• Official Notification PDF (Click here)
• Official Website (Click here)

FAQs

Q1: Can I apply directly to Rajasthan SLSA?
A: No. You must send your application to the Secretary of the concerned District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) only.

Q2: Is private practice allowed for selected candidates?
A: No. Legal Aid Defense Counsels are not allowed to take any other private cases or retainership during the term of employment.

Q3: What is the contract duration?
A: Initially two years, extendable yearly based on performance.

Q4: Is there an application fee?
A: The notification does not mention any application fee.