NLS Giving Campaign 2026 is an initiative to provide the alumni community updates on key initiatives at NLSIU and invite their support in jointly achieving the University’s development goals.

At NLSIU, we believe that every deserving student should have the opportunity to pursue a world-class legal education, irrespective of their financial circumstances. Financial aid remains central to the University’s commitment to ensuring that merit, talent and potential are never limited by economic barriers.

One such student was Devansh Shukla, the first recipient of the Swaminath and Nirmala Raja Scholarship, established by alumnus Siddharth Raja (B.A.,LL.B. ’97) in memory of his late parents. When Devansh joined NLSIU, the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly affected his family’s income, leaving him uncertain about whether he would be able to continue his legal education. Through the Swaminath and Nirmala Raja Scholarship, he was able to complete his five-year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) programme, demonstrating the life-changing impact that donor-supported scholarships can have.

Building on this legacy, Siddharth Raja has renewed the scholarship for a second cycle, extending support to another deserving student. This continuation underscores his enduring commitment to NLSIU and to the principle that no talented student should be held back by financial hardship.

Reflecting on the scholarship, Siddharth Raja shared:

“The scholarship instituted complements my ‘giving back’ to my dear alma mater—indeed, it signifies the ‘squaring’ of the circle, in my view, of all my teaching contributions to NLSIU over the years.”

He added:

“I can’t think of a better way to say thank you for all the Almighty’s blessings on us than to see at least one student through law school. I know my late parents, in whose name the scholarship is instituted, and who were both strong votaries of this institution, would be proud and happy too.”

Highlighting the impact of the scholarship, Dr Saurabh Bhattacharjee, Registrar, said, “We are deeply grateful to Siddharth Raja for his generosity and continued commitment to our students. The Swaminath and Nirmala Raja Scholarship reflects the very best of our alumni spirit and strengthens National Law School’s mission to provide inclusive and accessible high-quality education such that no deserving student is held back by financial hardship.”

Siddharth was a British Council & Foreign and Commonwealth Office Chevening Scholar and J. N. Tata Scholar at the University of Warwick Law School. He is currently the Executive Dean of Vinayaka Mission’s Law School (VMLS), after having spent close to three decades as a senior and distinguished corporate lawyer and counsel, in India and overseas. The scholarship initiative by Siddharth is an inspiration to current students and alumni in building a sense of belonging and giving back to our community.

Every Contribution Creates a Pathway

Every scholarship represents a student’s journey made possible by the generosity of those who choose to give back. Together, our alumni are creating opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.

As part of the NLS Giving Campaign 2026, we invite our alumni and friends to continue this tradition of giving. To give back, click here.