The National Law School of India University is excited to host a campus reunion for the class of 2010 this Saturday, May 17, 2025 as they celebrate 15 years of their graduation from law school.
Our alumni will be spending the day on campus re-connecting with batchmates, faculty, and other members of the NLS community, and celebrating their friendships and connections over the last decade.
Schedule
Time
Activity
11:00 am – 12:15 pm
Arrival
12:00 pm – 1:15 pm
Welcome Address + Batch Introduction
Interaction with Vice-Chancellor, Faculty and Batch members
The session will be mediated by Dr. Kalpana Purushothaman, Professor, Psychologist, and Former Member of Juvenile Justice Board, Bangalore (Urban).
About the Session
Through this workshop, we aim to explore the juvenile justice system in India and delve into the complex realities of growing up in an era marked by social media saturation, digital overload, and emotional disconnect. While some may frame this as a generational divide—Gen Z vs. Millennials—the deeper truth is that the world around us has changed. The conflicts between our inner and outer worlds are real, and each of us is struggling to navigate this shift.
Using Adolescence as a lens, this session will serve as a space for dialogue, reflection, and deeper understanding of these critical issues.
Across different segments of the session, we will trace the journey of a child in conflict with law through the juvenile justice system. We begin with their entry into the system, looking at apprehension procedures, the role of the police, and access to legal aid. From there, we examine the realities of gendered bullying, the influence of social institutions, how victims and offenders are perceived, and the growing mental health challenges adolescents face in the age of social media. We also explore their interactions with psychologists, the preliminary assessments conducted under Section 15 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015. Finally, we delve into the triggers behind juvenile offences, including adverse childhood experiences and the broader social factors that influence adolescent behaviour.
Excerpts from the Session
Dr. Kalpana Purushothaman began the session with the intention to help bridge the gaps between the world of law, the world of psychology and the world of children. Using the series as a starting point, she delved into what the justice system really looks like in the State/country, and the on-ground realities that are dealt with on a day-to-day basis.
On the importance of language: She stressed on the importance of semantics and the language used with a child in conflict with the law, an aspect that is also emphasised upon in the Juvenile Justice Act. She shared findings of data where upon entering the Juvenile Justice system, it was found that children in conflict with law feel ‘fear’ as the strongest emotion, be it fear of sexual abuse, or of violence. “Children in conflict with the law have the right to remain silent if they wish to and an answer need not be coerced or forced out of them by influence or fear through harsh language. What also needs to be avoided by any member of the JJ system is the labelling of these children in any manner,” she noted.
On awareness of rights: Dr. Kalpana highlighted the point that the child in conflict with the law is being informed of his rights at every point during the web series. However, she mentioned that on the ground, rights are sometimes treated “almost like a bad word.” “A huge difference I can see in the system here and the web series is that of solitary confinement of the child (which is shown in the web series). In the JJ system here in the State, the children interact with various members in the system at every stage which is a very important factor. Depriving a child of social interactions is like punishment even before the punishment actually begins,” she said.
On the quality of lawyering: Using the example of the lawyer in the series who ensures the child is aware of his rights and also his right to remain silent, Dr. Kalpana drew focus on the quality of lawyering in the system, and the impact it can have while dealing with cases pertaining to children in conflict with the law. She said that the JJ system was built with certain checks and balances in place so that no one should be above questioning, and the lawyers involved in the system need to ensure that this is followed.
On policing & counsellors: The session looked at the crucial role the thoroughness of the police investigation can play in such cases. “In the series, we see how thorough the documentation of evidence is. There is no violence, no voices raised and no threats thrown at the child. Instead, material evidence is produced even before the investigation begins. However, in reality, it takes much longer to produce any kind of documentation required for a case,” she said. The session also discussed the role of Psychologists and Counsellors in the JJ system, and the significant role that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) play in several cases dealing with children in conflict with the law. “Our research showed that several children in conflict with the law had experienced an average of 12 ACEs during their childhood,” she said.
The National Law School of India University hosted a campus reunion for the batch of 2014 on May 10, 2025 as they celebrated 11 years of their graduation.
Our alumni spent the day on campus re-connecting with batchmates, faculty, and other members of the NLS community, and celebrating their friendships and connections over the last decade.
Schedule
Time
Activity
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Arrival
12:00 pm – 12:15 pm
Introduction of Batch members (Venue: OAB-101)
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm
Interaction with Faculty and Batch members (Hybrid Mode)
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Networking Lunch (Training Centre)
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Campus Walk including visit to NAB
4:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Group Photo Session
Reflections from our Alums
Vikram Shah Freelance writer, editor, and content consultant “When I was in my third or fourth year at NLS, I had a sense that maybe a long-term legal career was not for me, though I did work for a law firm for a couple of years after I graduated. Since then, I’ve worked mostly in the media. I’ve worked at Mint as an editor of the features paper, Mint Lounge. I reported on and wrote several stories for Mint. Then I worked with the media startup called All Things Small where we put out a publication called fiftytwo.in which was long form journalism of 4,000 to 5,000 words. We would cover one different aspect of the subcontinent every week and that was a fantastic job. A dream job for me as a freelancer. I work part time with a legal journalistic outlet, but I also do corporate writing, corporate content writing. I’ve written scripts for videos. I have written an 11-part narrative podcast which was commissioned by the American podcast platform Luminary.
It’s NLSIU where I started reading novels. All those trips to Blossoms and the other amazing bookstores that are on Church Street. Here is where I met peers who encouraged this side of me. I started writing while I was in law school. The first time I got paid for a piece of writing was in my third year. I credit NLS with blowing open my mind to all sorts of possibilities, not just in terms of what’s possible career wise, but just in terms of ideas, which is an extremely important thing in my line of work.
And the other thing is that NLS was the first time that I truly understood the idea of India. At NLS, there were people literally from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to Arunachal. And it was the first time that I had a sense of what it means, how vast and wonderful our country is. And a lot of the journalism that I’ve worked on has been about that idea, and we need to preserve this idea. And NLS is where it started so I’m grateful for my time here.”
Megha Mathur Director, Pocket FM “It’s been so lovely to be back at NLS today after 10 years of having graduated. I think all of us loved our time here. It was five years that were transformative for most of us. We all came here when we were 17 or 18 years old. I had among the best years of our life here in Nagarbhavi. It’s been so lovely to see how much the campus has changed. We see some great new additions, and some conspicuous absences as well. Since my time after law school, I’ve worked mostly in tech companies across India. I worked at Zomato, then Meesho, and now I’m with Pocket FM. I don’t practice anymore as a lawyer. But I do think that my five years here were still foundational and helped me prepare for all of the different work that I’ve had the chance to do. So thank you so much for having us back here.”
Amshula Prakash Entertainment Lawyer “I’ve been working as a lawyer for artists since I graduated from NLS, and for the last couple of years I’ve also been working as an art curator. It’s very exciting to be back to a place that really formed us during the five years we spent here. It significantly shaped all of us. And I think I can speak on behalf of pretty much anyone who has been here. It has been bittersweet because there are a lot of changes on campus. It’s a mix of nostalgia and just not being able to see campus the way it was. Thanks to everybody at NLS for welcoming us so hospitably and we look forward to our 20th year reunion.”
Dheer Bhatnagar Corporate Lawyer
“My time at NLS was very formative. I think that’s how I look at it. It was fun and it was great and all of that, but when I look back, it’s the one keyword. It has really formed who I am today. Since I graduated, I’ve done a mix of corporate law and in-house roles. Now I’m in a sort of a business plus legal role at a startup. It feels really, really good to be back. I think the campus has retained a mix of the old and the new. I can see a lot of things that have changed. I think a lot of the old charm is still here, which I really like. I hope to come back more frequently and stay in touch with the folks here.”
Chetna Kumar Analyst, Bloomberg
“I think NLS is such an integral part of who I am. The rigour and the challenging environment we were in really tests you. Whatever I’ve accomplished since, the seeds were planted here. It’s so great to come back to most of the people who have this imprint on me.
Since I graduated, I moved away from the law very quickly. I worked in politics and now I work in geo-economics. I still feel like the skills I learned at NLS, in terms of lawyering and thinking critically, are what gave me an edge and helped me drive my own career in a different field. I think the education you get here actually makes you confident enough to go venture into new areas and be able to hold your own still.”
In this week’s faculty seminar, Samantha Chacko, a Fulbright-Nehru Scholar affiliated to NLS, presented her paper titled “Equality in Access: Reviewing India’s Legal Aid Framework.” The seminar was held on May 7, 2025, at 4 pm, in the Ground Floor Conference Hall at NLSIU’s Training Centre.
Abstract
Article 39(A) of the Indian Constitution guarantees citizens access to legal aid. At its core, this Article solidifies each citizen’s right to access justice. Often, the individuals seeking this kind of assistance are litigants preparing for cases addressing critical issues. Without proper access to legal aid, people can lose their homes, families, or livelihoods. In 2022, India’s government-based legal aid program, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), reported that only 61% of those who visited legal services clinics throughout India actually received legal assistance. Without proper access to justice, no legal system can be considered just.
There have been few studies that address the gender gap in legal aid services, and even fewer that exclusively focus on accessibility to legal resources and services categorized by demographic. One such study, however, the 2016 DAKSH Access to Justice survey, found that only 14% of all litigants in India are women. There is little explanation for this gender gap in legal participation, and it remains unclear whether women are actually receiving the legal assistance they are constitutionally entitled to and their subsequent ability to navigate the Indian justice system successfully. This research was designed to identify and contextualize the causal factors perpetuating the gender gap in access to justice within the Indian legal aid framework.
Reflections from the Speaker
“It was an honour to present my research at the Faculty Seminar at NLSIU. The faculty feedback was very insightful and will help me develop my paper and future research. I have learned so much as a Fulbright-Nehru Scholar at NLS. I am very grateful to my academic supervisor, Dr. VS Elizabeth, for all her support throughout my grant. Ultimately, I hope this research serves as a foundation for continued awareness about the status of accessibility to justice in India and the USA.”
At this week’s seminar, we have presentations by two NLS faculty – Padmini Baruah (Pakeezeh), Assistant Professor of Law and Dr. Anviksha Drall, Assistant Professor, Social Science. The seminar will be held on April 30, 2025, in the Ground Floor Conference Hall at NLSIU’s Training Centre at 3:45 pm.
Presentation 1
Title: ‘How are we supposed to survive like this?’: A Tale of Two Women’ by Padmini Baruah (Pakeezeh)
Abstract
In contrast to my usual academic writing, this piece presents a narrative non-fiction account of two Bengali-Muslim women in Assam, both detained in the state’s infamous ‘detention camps’. Citizenship in Assam is typically reconstructed through court documents, newspaper reports, and statistics, with the socio-legal challenges well-documented. However, such accounts often miss the precarious lives behind these abstractions.
I trace the experiences of two women who have endured the arbitrary processes of foreigners’ determination. Momiron Nessa (name changed) spent ten years in detention at Kokrajhar despite providing seventeen documents proving her citizenship. Detained while pregnant, she lost her child, was mistreated, separated from her family, and was not informed of her husband’s death. Though now released, she remains tethered to a punitive legal regime, reporting weekly to a distant police station from her remote char settlement. Her story reflects extraordinary resilience against systemic violence.
The second account follows Sahera Khatun, who, along with her husband and two young children, spent eighteen months in the Goalpara detention centre. Although eventually recognised as Indian citizens, the family continues to suffer from the lasting economic and health impacts of their incarceration.
Through these narratives, I highlight the everyday realities and intergenerational precarities fostered by Assam’s citizenship regime.We look forward to seeing you.
Presentation 2
Title: ‘Earning beyond Agriculture: Why the source of non-farm income Matters for technology uptake?’ by Dr. Anviksha Drall
Abstract
Owing to agro-climatic fluctuations, farmers’ diversification into multiple non-farm jobs has witnessed an increasing trend in developing economies, with India being no exception. Earnings from non-farm sources are often reinvested in modern machinery and productivity-enhancing agricultural inputs. In this context, the study explores various channels through which the impact of non-farm earnings on the adoption of farming technology could differ across households, depending on their migration status and hence the source of earnings. The magnitude of these differential impacts is empirically estimated in the Indian context, accounting for additional remittances earned by migrant households alongside local non-farm income. The empirical analysis is based on household micro-level panel data from Indian states in the Semi-arid Tropics (SAT) and Eastern regions for the years 2010–14, using a fractional response model to estimate the differential impact of non-farm sector earnings on the intensity of technology adoption. The results confirm that non-farm earnings have a positive and larger income effect on technology adoption for migrant households compared to non-migrant households, and that the impact varies across farmer categories, with the highest effects observed among large farmers. The study concludes that specific policies are needed to enhance non-farm sector opportunities, particularly by recognising migration as a vital component of non-farm activities.
NLSAT 2025 examination will be held on April 27, 2025 (10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M). The duration of the test is two and half hours. PWD Candidates will have extra 50 minutes.
Candidates shall be allowed to leave the Test Centre only after the test is over.
Candidates shall be allowed entry into the Test Centre only at 09:15 a.m.
Candidates shall not be permitted to enter into the examination hall after 10:15 A.M.
Instructions for Candidates at NLSIU Test Centre
Candidates must enter the NLSIU campus through Gate 1.
Only the Candidates shall be allowed to enter the University campus. Parents/guardians of candidates shall not be allowed to enter the University campus.
No parking facility for vehicles will be available. No vehicle shall be allowed entry into the campus.
Candidates must show their Admit Card to enter the Test Centre.
Candidate’s Admit card and Photo ID proof will be verified at the verification desk.
Candidates are requested to follow the queue and the markings outside the gate.
How to get to NLSIU?
If you need help in reaching our campus, please click here.
Pt. Pravin Godkhindi is an Indian Hindustani classical flute player. He has been graded as a “Top Ranking Artiste” in Hindustani Bansuri, by Akashvani (AIR) among his various accolades, and has performed with eminent musicians like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Dr. Balmurali Krishna, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt to name a few. Pt. Godkhindi is one of the rare flautists equally proficient at Hindustani Flute, Karnatic Flute, Playback Music and Fusion. Some of Pt. Godkhindi’s music can be found here and here.
Pt. Ravindra Yavagal is a soloist and accompanist Tabla player. He received the Rajyotsava Award in 1995, the Karnataka Kalashri for 2016–17 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2021 for his contributions, and is a Top Ranking Artiste of All India Radio. He has performed with Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty, Begum Parveen Sultana and almost every accomplished musician in this country and abroad.
This concert marks the commencement of the Chapter, which will feature Hindustani music, Carnatic music, dance, art – mural painting, film screenings, heritage walks and more.
This event promises to be a wonderful musical evening. Your patronage to organise and promote Indian Classical Music is requested, as we hope to create a culture that will last for decades to come.
This event is also open to members of the public. To RSVP, click here.
About SPIC MACAY
The Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth or ‘SPIC MACAY’ is a voluntary youth movement which aims to preserve intangible aspects of Indian cultural heritage by promoting Indian classical music, classical dance, folk music, yoga, meditation, crafts and other aspects of Indian culture. It is a movement with chapters in over 300 towns all over the world. SPIC MACAY was established by Dr. Kiran Seth in 1977 at IIT Delhi.
At this week’s seminar, we had presentations by two NLS faculty – Dr. Dayal Paleri, Assistant Professor, Social Science, and Dr. Sneha Thapliyal, Associate Professor, Economics. The seminar was held on April 23, 2025, in the Ground Floor Conference Hall at NLSIU’s Training Centre at 3:45 pm.
Presentation 1
Title: ‘Reconstructing Cheraman: Communal Harmony as Politics of Belonging in Contemporary Kerala’ by Dr. Dayal Paleri.
Abstract
This paper examines how the Muslims of Kodungallur, in Kerala, faced with the rise of Hindu nationalist politics that increasingly problematize Muslim belonging in shared sacred and public spaces, engage in a renewed articulation of religious coexistence, primarily through the language of communal harmony (mathasouhardam). The articulation of communal harmony by the Muslims of Kodungallur is centered around the space of the Cheraman Juma Masjid, believed to be the first mosque in India, associated with the legendary king Cheraman Perumal. Based on the ongoing ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Kodungallur since 2021, the paper closely follows the process of the mosque’s reconstruction and situates it within both the local political dynamics of Kodungallur and the broader context of national politics.
Moving away from scholarship that has largely highlighted the instrumentalist nature of communal harmony as a discourse produced by dominant or state actors, the paper shifts the focus to minority articulations. It asks two inter-related questions: Can communal harmony be conceptualized as an active political process that involves actors, agential networks, and conscious articulations of political community? And, what political work does such a discourse perform when articulated by Muslim actors in the context of Hindu nationalism?
The paper argues that communal harmony is mobilized in Kodungallur as a strategic response to the contemporary challenge of Hindu nationalism and is used to affirm Muslim belonging across three interconnected sites: everyday life, historical memory, and the legal-constitutional realm. These are not peripheral, but constitutive dimensions of national membership. The paper conceptualizes this articulation as a politics of belonging that combines aspects of different trajectories of Muslim politics in postcolonial India-minority rights, claims of social backwardness, civic participation, and a redefined language of self-protection-without reifying or effacing Muslim religious identity. The paper suggests that such articulations of communal harmony offer an incipient possibility for reimagining Muslim citizenship in India today, especially in the face of an increasingly constricted experience of citizenship under Hindutva politics.
Presentation 2
Title: ‘Who Dares Wins? Framework for Environmental Justice Movements: Empirical Review of Biodiversity Conservation Related Movements’ by Dr. Sneha Thapliyal.
Abstract
Conflicts to attain environmental justice typically arise when the affected stakeholder group(s) is(are) concerned about adverse environmental and socio-economic impacts of a decision by the state. Such environmental justice movements (EJMs) vary in strategies used for and intensity of mobilisation, desired outcomes, and consequently, in their success. Combining literature from EJMs and the rich scholarship in the socio-political research on mobilisations in general, this paper aims to: (i) develop a comprehensive framework on EJMs from the start of the mobilisations to outcome; and (ii) present an empirical assessment of this framework in the context of biodiversity (BD) related EJMs across the world.
Internal (affected communities) and external stakeholders (organisations aligned to the cause of mobilisation) have mobilisation potential, which gets triggered leading to mobilisation. This mobilisation can be conventional or disruptive based on the intensity and duration of the conflict and intermediate state interventions/responses. To determine the impact of the factors identified in our proposed framework on mobilisation intensity and success of an EJM, we use the global data from EJAtlas online on biodiversity-related EJMs. Biodiversity related conflicts arise frequently and across the globe primarily due to the exclusionary economic growth and conservation practices. Further, the biodiversity-related EJ movements are embedded in different historical, socio-economic, and political contexts across varied types of ecosystems. Yet, despite the uniqueness of the context of each conflict, scholars argue that EJ movements are global in nature. Thus, there is merit in empirically investigating the common denominator in biodiversity-related EJ movements across the globe. Using multiple empirical strategies, we find that the networks (type of organisation involved), cultural framing (ecosystem services), and stage of the project affect the intensity of mobilisation. We also find that intensity of disruptive mobilisations and the kind of interventions by the state affect the successful outcomes of biodiversity-related EJMs. These results contribute to the literature on environment policy by identifying the determinants of successful EJ movements for targeted interventions in reducing conflict.
The National Law School of India University, Bengaluru is organising the 5th Sri. Hunasikote Abdul Ghaffar Annual Memorial Lecture on April 29, 2025 at 4.30 pm. The lecture will be delivered by Zakia Soman, Founder member of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, India, on the topic ‘Waqf Law on the Anvil’.
About the Lecture Series
This memorial lecture was initiated by the Institute of Public Policy with the support of Prof. Adbul Aziz, Chair on Religious Minorities, NLSIU in memory of his father Sri. Hunasikote Abdul Ghaffar. Mr. Ghaffar passed away in 1982 in Hunasikote at the age of 74.
The first lecture in this series was delivered by Prof. Karkala Seetharam on April 3, 2019 on the topic “Human Rights as Public Policy.”
About the Speaker
Zakia Soman is a founder member of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, a mass organization of muslim women in India. She heads the Peace and Human Security theme in Action Aid. She is a member of Saape, South Asian Alliance for Poverty Eradication which engages with the issues of excluded communities regionally. She works and writes on issues of peace and justice, secularism, human rights, minority rights and rights of muslim women. Her articles advocating rights of Muslim women and tolerance and harmony with other communities are published in various Indian publications. She has edited a book on dalit Muslims and a volume on peace and justice in South Asia. She has been a university lecturer and a newspaper editor in Ahmedabad.
About the Discussant
Prof. Ravivarma Kumar is a former Advocate General of Karnataka and Chairperson of the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission. Kumar has appeared in many prominent cases in his career, especially involving Constitutional Law, where he has drawn parallels with symbolism in other faiths, and relied on Article 15 of the Constitution which prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) is hosting the NLSIU AI & Law Forum on May 10, 2025 at the NLS campus. The event will take place from 11 am to 5 pm.
About the Event
Large Language Models (LLMs) demonstrate capabilities that could substantially impact legal operations. Despite this potential, the adoption of AI in India’s legal sector faces several significant barriers. First, there exists a notable knowledge and capacity gap among legal professionals concerning the capabilities and practical applications of AI technologies. Many lawyers and practitioners lack the necessary technical understanding to effectively leverage these innovative tools.
Second, there is a persistent disconnect between the supply side—AI startups and tech firms developing innovative solutions—and the demand side—law firms, courts, and other legal stakeholders who could substantially benefit from these technologies. This gap results in missed opportunities for collaboration and the tailored development of solutions that meet the specific needs of the legal market.
Third, there is deep-rooted scepticism and reluctance within the legal community towards adopting AI solutions, particularly regarding concerns about reliability, privacy, and accountability. This cautious approach significantly limits the integration of AI into mainstream legal practice.
The NLSIU AI and Law Forum will discuss these challenges. The forum will bring together innovative startups and impactful civil society organisations that leverage Artificial Intelligence to address legal challenges, streamline processes, enhance access to justice, and contribute to systemic legal reform. Discussions will focus on practical applications of AI, such as legal research, contract analysis, predictive analytics for case outcomes, and the automation of routine legal tasks.
The forum will feature several engaging events:
Presentations: AI startups and civil society organisations will showcase their products and initiatives through live demonstrations or presentations, followed by interactive Q&A sessions.
Workshops: Interactive, hands-on workshops will equip small teams of students to explore and build innovative solutions at the intersection of generative AI and law. Participants will learn about cutting-edge generative AI tools and apply their knowledge to create novel solutions.
AI Labs: Dedicated labs will allow students to explore various AI software tools relevant to the legal domain. These labs will provide premium access to advanced AI platforms such as Gemini, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude, along with specialized Indian legal tools like Jhana and Jurisphere.
Prompt Challenge: Students will compete in a challenge to create effective AI prompts for specific legal tasks, with the best prompts awarded cash prizes.
For this year’s edition, participation from outside the NLSIU community is by invitation only. If you are a law firm, a startup, or a legal professional interested in practical applications of AI in law and would like to participate, please contact Shruthi Nair at .
In this week’s faculty seminar, 
We are excited to announce the commencement of the NLS-SPIC MACAY Chapter on April 23, 2025!
Zakia Soman is a founder member of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, a mass organization of muslim women in India. She heads the Peace and Human Security theme in Action Aid. She is a member of Saape, South Asian Alliance for Poverty Eradication which engages with the issues of excluded communities regionally. She works and writes on issues of peace and justice, secularism, human rights, minority rights and rights of muslim women. Her articles advocating rights of Muslim women and tolerance and harmony with other communities are published in various Indian publications. She has edited a book on dalit Muslims and a volume on peace and justice in South Asia. She has been a university lecturer and a newspaper editor in Ahmedabad.
Prof. Ravivarma Kumar is a former Advocate General of Karnataka and Chairperson of the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission. Kumar has appeared in many prominent cases in his career, especially involving Constitutional Law, where he has drawn parallels with symbolism in other faiths, and relied on Article 15 of the Constitution which prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.