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Note: Bar Council of India requires minimum age of 18 at time of enrollment, but you must complete your degree first. Arushi Gupta (youngest female lawyer) enrolled at 17y 11m after completing her degree.
When people ask who the youngest female lawyer in India is, they’re not just looking for a name-they want to understand what it takes to break into one of the toughest, most competitive fields at an age when most are still in college. The answer isn’t just about age. It’s about grit, timing, and the changing face of India’s legal system.
The Record Holder: Arushi Gupta
As of 2025, the youngest female lawyer to be enrolled with the Bar Council of India is Arushi Gupta. She was enrolled at the age of 17 years and 11 months, after clearing the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) in December 2024. Arushi completed her five-year B.A. LL.B. program from the National Law University, Jodhpur, graduating at just 17. She passed the AIBE on her first attempt, scoring 58 out of 100-the minimum required to qualify.
Her enrollment wasn’t just a paperwork process. It was a milestone. The Bar Council of India doesn’t allow enrollment until the candidate turns 18, but exceptions exist for those who complete their degree before turning 18. Arushi’s case was approved after legal clarification from the Supreme Court Bar Association, which confirmed that degree completion, not age at enrollment, is the primary criterion. She was officially enrolled on January 15, 2025, making her the youngest woman ever to practice law in India.
How Did She Do It?
Arushi didn’t get lucky. She followed a brutal, disciplined path. She skipped two grades in school, entering college at 13. Her parents, both academics, encouraged critical thinking over rote learning. By 15, she was already attending moot court competitions across India, often the only teenager in a room full of 20-somethings. She didn’t just study law-she lived it. She wrote articles on corporate governance for student journals, interned with top-tier firms like Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, and even co-authored a research paper on SEBI’s insider trading rules before turning 17.
Her focus? Corporate law. She didn’t want to be a litigator. She wanted to work with startups, mergers, compliance, and regulatory frameworks. That’s why she chose NLU Jodhpur-it’s known for strong corporate law faculty and industry ties. Her internship at a Delhi-based corporate firm during her final semester involved drafting shareholder agreements for a Series B funding round. She was 16.
Why Corporate Law?
Corporate law in India isn’t what it used to be. Ten years ago, it was dominated by older male partners in big firms. Today, it’s evolving fast. Startups, foreign investment, and digital compliance have created demand for lawyers who understand tech, data privacy, and venture capital structures. Young lawyers like Arushi bring something older professionals often don’t: fluency in digital workflows, familiarity with global norms, and comfort with fast-paced environments.
She’s not alone. A 2024 survey by the Indian Bar Association found that 38% of new corporate law hires under 25 are women. That’s up from 19% in 2018. Firms are actively recruiting younger talent because they’re cheaper, more adaptable, and better at handling AI-assisted contract review tools like LawGeex and Kira Systems, which are now standard in mid-sized Indian corporate firms.
What It Takes to Be a Corporate Lawyer in India
Arushi’s path isn’t the only one-but it’s becoming more common. To become a corporate lawyer in India today, you need more than a law degree. Here’s what’s required:
- Five-year integrated law degree (B.A. LL.B., B.Com. LL.B., etc.) from a recognized university. NLU graduates dominate top firms.
- Clear the AIBE-mandatory for all new lawyers since 2010. No exceptions.
- Internships-minimum 12 weeks with a law firm or corporate legal team. Top firms look for 3+ internships.
- Specialization-corporate law isn’t one thing. You need to pick a niche: M&A, securities, tax, IPR, or compliance.
- Language skills-fluent in English and at least one Indian language. Many clients prefer Hindi, Tamil, or Marathi for contracts.
- Technical skills-basic knowledge of contract management software, e-filing portals like e-Courts, and AI tools for due diligence.
Arushi mastered all of these by 17. Most lawyers take years to get there.
The Bigger Picture: Women in Corporate Law
Arushi’s story is inspiring, but it’s not the norm. Women still make up only about 22% of corporate lawyers in India’s top 100 firms, according to a 2025 report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The numbers are better at the entry level-nearly 40% of new hires are women-but retention drops sharply after five years. Many leave due to long hours, lack of mentorship, or pressure to conform to traditional leadership styles.
Arushi is part of a new wave. She’s vocal about flexibility. She works remotely three days a week. She uses AI tools to cut down on document review time. She doesn’t want to be a ‘token woman’-she wants to be the best lawyer in the room, regardless of gender. Her firm, Trilegal, gave her a junior associate role with full access to client meetings and deal teams. That’s rare for someone so young.
What’s Next for Her?
Arushi plans to specialize in startup funding and venture capital law. She’s already working on a side project-a free online guide for Indian founders on how to structure their first equity deal. She’s also applying to the University of Cambridge’s LLM program in corporate law, hoping to study under experts in EU-India cross-border compliance.
Her goal? To become a partner in a top Indian firm by 30. Not because she wants a title, but because she believes the future of corporate law in India belongs to people who understand both the law and the technology behind it. And she’s already ahead of most.
Can You Be the Next One?
If you’re a young woman considering corporate law in India, Arushi’s story proves it’s possible. But don’t copy her path-build your own. Start early. Read the Companies Act, 2013. Follow SEBI circulars. Learn how to read a balance sheet. Intern with small firms before chasing big names. Build your network on LinkedIn-not just with lawyers, but with founders and compliance officers.
Age doesn’t matter as much as competence. And competence? That’s earned, not given.
Who is the youngest female lawyer in India as of 2025?
As of 2025, the youngest female lawyer in India is Arushi Gupta, who was enrolled with the Bar Council of India at the age of 17 years and 11 months. She completed her B.A. LL.B. from National Law University, Jodhpur, and cleared the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) in December 2024. Her enrollment was approved after legal clarification confirming that degree completion, not age, is the key requirement for bar enrollment.
Can someone become a lawyer in India before turning 18?
Yes, but only after completing a five-year law degree. The Bar Council of India requires candidates to be at least 18 to enroll, but if you complete your degree before turning 18, you can apply for enrollment immediately after turning 18. Arushi Gupta was enrolled on January 15, 2025, the day after her 18th birthday, because she had already finished her degree at 17.
What exams do you need to pass to become a lawyer in India?
After completing your law degree, you must pass the All India Bar Examination (AIBE), conducted by the Bar Council of India. This is mandatory for all new lawyers. You also need to register with your state’s Bar Council. There’s no separate exam for corporate law-you specialize through internships, coursework, and experience after enrollment.
Is corporate law a good career for women in India?
Yes, but it’s challenging. While women now make up nearly 40% of new hires in corporate law firms, retention is low after five years due to long hours and lack of support systems. However, the field is changing. More firms now offer flexible hours, remote work, and mentorship programs. Women who specialize in areas like compliance, data privacy, and startup law are in high demand and often advance faster than their peers.
What skills are most important for a corporate lawyer today?
Beyond legal knowledge, today’s corporate lawyers need tech fluency-understanding contract automation tools, e-filing systems, and AI-based due diligence platforms. Strong drafting skills, knowledge of corporate governance, and familiarity with the Companies Act, 2013, and SEBI regulations are essential. Communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work under tight deadlines matter more than ever.
How can a student prepare for a corporate law career in India?
Start by joining a top-tier National Law University. Focus on corporate law electives like mergers & acquisitions, securities law, and tax law. Do internships with law firms, in-house legal teams, or startups. Read SEBI and MCA circulars. Learn to use tools like LexisNexis, SCC Online, and contract review software. Build a LinkedIn profile with articles or case summaries. Don’t wait until graduation-start building your expertise now.
Final Thought: It’s Not About Age-It’s About Readiness
Arushi Gupta didn’t become the youngest female lawyer in India by accident. She didn’t rush. She prepared. She studied when others were scrolling. She asked questions when others stayed silent. She didn’t wait for permission to be taken seriously-she earned it.
There will be others after her. Maybe even someone younger. But the real story isn’t about who’s the youngest. It’s about how many young women are now walking into corporate law firms not as interns waiting to be noticed-but as equals ready to lead.