News Type: News

Call for Applications | Research Associates – 02 | “Freedom from Violence: Capacity Building of Elected Women Representatives” project

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for two Research Associates to work on the project titled “Freedom from Violence: Capacity Building of Elected Women Representatives on Legal Provisions for Safety and Security of Women and Girls”. This is a full-time role on contractual basis for a period of one year, based in Bengaluru.

The project is funded by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Government of India, under the Nirbhaya Fund.

About the Project

The project aims to train and sensitise Women Elected Representatives (WER) throughout the country on legal provisions relating to safety and security of women and girls. To this end, NLSIU, Bengaluru will undertake the following key activities:

  • Development of comprehensive training modules on legal provisions for women’s safety and security
  • Translation of training modules and IEC (Information, Education and Communication) material into 8+ regional languages with the help of BHASHINI
  • Training of Master Trainers through 15 workshops (three days duration each)
  • Development of IEC material, short videos and digital content for dissemination
  • Creating awareness on roles and responsibilities of PRI members in handling incidents of violence against women
  • Covering topics including filing of FIR (online and offline), evidence collection and protection, new criminal laws, POCSO, and dealing with social issues like human trafficking, khap panchayat, honour killings, and dowry deaths
  • Introduction to Community Justice System and dissemination of constitutional responsibilities
  • Exploration of helpline number for counselling and legal aid services

About the Role

Research Associates will work under the direct supervision of the faculty Project Leads and will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Assist in the development and finalisation of training modules on legal provisions relating to women’s safety and security
  • Research and collation of provisions in laws, regulations, manuals and case law relating to violence against women, including new criminal laws (BNS 2023), POCSO, and women-specific legislation
  • Assist with preparation of IEC material, digital content, short-form videos and social media content
  • Support in coordinating translation of training modules and IEC material into regional languages
  • Assist in organising and coordinating 15 Master Trainer workshops across the country
  • Assist with finalising questionnaires and content for stakeholder consultations and training sessions
  • Research on evidence collection and protection mechanisms in crimes against women
  • Assist in developing content on Community Justice Systems and constitutional responsibilities of PRI members
  • Ensure systematic record and documentation of all project-related meetings, workshops, consultations and other activities
  • Maintain monthly progress reports on assigned tasks under the project
  • Utilise digital legal resources and databases for comprehensive legal research
  • Publish 1–2 short form pieces, including blogs, policy briefs, and/or legal commentaries for the NLS Scholarship Repository on individual research areas of focus (in addition to the project work)
  • Participate in intellectual activities on campus as required

Reporting

The Research Associates will report to the faculty Project Leads. Dr. Sairam Bhat, Professor of Law, NLSIU will be steering this project.

Eligibility criteria:

Educational Qualifications

Essential

BA LLB/BBALLB/LLB or a master’s degree in social sciences, gender studies, public policy, or allied disciplines from any reputed institution with a minimum of fifty-five per cent marks.

Desirable

  • Candidates with a master’s degree in law will be given added weightage
  • Demonstrable academic interest in issues related to gender justice, violence against women, legal system reform, criminal justice, legal literacy and awareness, capacity building, and/or community-based justice systems
  • Training in research methodology

Work Experience

  • Graduates with writing and research skills can apply. Post-qualification experience in legal and policy research (universities; research institutes; think tanks; civil society organisations; legal aid organisations) is desirable.
  • Prior experience in using digital legal resources, creating digital legal literacy content and legal databases is preferred.

Skills and Competencies

  • Excellent communication and writing skills
  • Strong execution rigour and operational skills
  • Digital literacy and proficiency in using digital tools, legal databases, and online research platforms
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
  • Zeal and enthusiasm to contribute to legal aid and capacity-building initiatives for women empowerment

How to Apply

Please use the Google form, and include the following documents:

  • An up-to-date CV
  • Writing sample
  • A statement of purpose (not more than 250 words) explaining your interest in the project and how your background aligns with the project objectives
  • Contact details and designation of two references

Compensation

  • Salary will be in the range of 50,000 – Rs. 55,000 per month.

For any queries, please write to

Deadline

The last date for submission of applications is April 30, 2026 (5 PM IST).

Call for Applications | Senior Research Associate | “Freedom from Violence: Capacity Building of Elected Women Representatives” project

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for a Senior Research Associate to work on the project titled “Freedom from Violence: Capacity Building of Elected Women Representatives on Legal Provisions for Safety and Security of Women and Girls”. This is a full-time role on contractual basis for a period of one year, based in Bengaluru.

The project is funded by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Government of India, under the Nirbhaya Fund.

About the Project

The project aims to train and sensitise Women Elected Representatives (WER) throughout the country on legal provisions relating to safety and security of women and girls. To this end, NLSIU, Bengaluru will undertake the following key activities:

  • Development of comprehensive training modules on legal provisions for women’s safety and security
  • Translation of training modules and IEC (Information, Education and Communication) material into 8+ regional languages with the help of BHASHINI
  • Training of Master Trainers through 15 workshops (three days duration each)
  • Development of IEC material, short videos and digital content for dissemination
  • Creating awareness on roles and responsibilities of PRI members in handling incidents of violence against women
  • Covering topics including filing of FIR (online and offline), evidence collection and protection, new criminal laws, POCSO, and dealing with social issues like human trafficking, khap panchayat, honour killings, and dowry deaths
  • Introduction to Community Justice System and dissemination of constitutional responsibilities
  • Exploration of helpline number for counselling and legal aid services

About the Role

The Senior Research Associate will work under the guidance of the faculty Project Lead and will play a key role in coordinating research, training content development, and overall implementation of the project.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and finalisation of training modules on legal provisions relating to women’s safety and security
  • Conduct legal and policy research on laws, regulations, and case law relating to violence against women, including BNS 2023, POCSO, and other relevant legislation
  • Supervise and guide Research Associates and support faculty Project Leads in ensuring timely completion of research outputs
  • Contribute to the preparation of IEC materials, digital content, and dissemination through short-form media and social platforms
  • Coordinate translation of training modules and IEC materials and support the organisation of Master Trainer workshops and stakeholder consultations
  • Design research tools, questionnaires, and training content, including materials on Community Justice Systems and PRI responsibilities
  • Maintain documentation of project activities, prepare periodic progress reports, and use digital legal databases for research and knowledge resources
  • Publish at least two short form pieces each year including blogs, policy briefs, and/or legal commentaries for the NLS Scholarship Repository on individual research areas of focus (in addition to the project work)
  • Contribute to scholarly outputs and participate in intellectual activities on campus
  • Assist faculty Project Lead(s) in drafting research reports, policy recommendations, and other dissemination outputs

Reporting

The Senior Research Associate will report to the faculty Project Lead. Dr. Sairam Bhat, Professor of Law, NLSIU will be steering this project.

Eligibility criteria:

Educational Qualifications

Essential

Master’s degree in law or social sciences, gender studies, public policy, or allied disciplines from any reputed institution.

Desirable

  • Demonstrable academic interest in issues related to gender justice, violence against women, criminal justice reform, legal literacy and awareness, capacity building, and community-based justice systems
  • Training in research methodology and legal/policy analysis
  • Prior academic publications or research outputs in relevant areas

Work Experience

  • Minimum 5 years of post-qualification experience in legal and policy research in universities, research institutes, think tanks, civil society organisations, legal aid organisations, or related institutions
  • Experience in coordinating research projects, training programmes, or stakeholder consultations is desirable
  • Prior experience in using digital legal resources, research databases, and legal information systems is preferred

Skills and Competencies

  • Excellent research, analytical, and academic writing skills
  • Strong project coordination and organisational skills
  • Ability to mentor and guide junior research staff
  • Digital literacy and proficiency in using legal databases, digital research tools, and online knowledge platforms
  • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment
  • Commitment to advancing legal empowerment, gender justice, and capacity-building initiatives

How to Apply

Please use the Google form, and include the following documents:

  • An updated CV
  • A statement of purpose (500 words) outlining your interest in the position, and suitability for the role.
  • Details of two professional references.

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience in the range of approx. Rs. 80,000-1,00,000 per month.

For any queries, please write to

Deadline

The last date for submission of applications is April 30, 2026 (5 PM IST).

Call for Applications | Research Assistants – 02 | DPIIT Chair on Intellectual Property Rights

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for 2 full-time Research Assistants to work for the Chair on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) established by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Both positions are for a period of one-year and are extendable subject to performance. Both positions are contractual and will be based out of NLS campus in Bengaluru.

About the DPIIT Chair in IPR

The Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Chair established at NLSIU by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, under the Scheme for Pedagogy & Research in IPRs for Holistic Education & Academia (SPRIHA) seeks to promote the study of, education in, research on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) as well as outreach on Intellectual Property matters. The Chair supports specialised courses on IPR with the aim of inculcating a nuanced understanding of Intellectual Property among students. It holds seminars, workshops and special lectures with the aim of producing high quality research, strengthening pedagogy, engaging in public policy dialogue and attracting world class researchers and academicians to the University in the field of intellectual property rights. Read more.

About the Role

The Research Assistants (RA) will work on diverse kinds of research and dissemination  activities of the Chair, particularly the following project. The Chair proposes to undertake a study on “Patent Landscape of Cancer Drugs Relevant to India and the impact on Affordability and Accessibility”. The research will identify the cancers relevant to India, explore the treatment options, map the patents relating to the drugs, examine their affordability and accessibility. This requires one Research Assistant who has a biomedical background and another with patent specialisation.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the RAs include:

  • Conduct literature review and prepare a research plan
  • Carry out analysis of the cancers with high impact in India, associated therapy, and their accessibility and affordability from the Indian perspective
  • Organise workshops/consultations/prepare case studies
  • Conduct interviews and/ or surveys
  • Map the patent landscape of the drugs that has relevance to India
  • Prepare research outputs, including periodic reports and academic publications
  • Assist with other research and dissemination activities of the Chair as required

The RAs are required to publish at least two short-form pieces that may include a blog, commentary, policy brief or a research paper for the NLS Scholarship Repository every year.

Duration

One year from the date of appointment order, extendable subject to performance.

Eligibility criteria:

  • One RA position is for candidates with educational training in the biomedical field whereas the second RA position will be for candidates with educational training in law. The application form will require you to choose the position you wish to apply for.

Educational Qualifications

Essential

  • Graduate degree in the biomedical field or an MBBS degree or graduate degree in law

Desirable

  • Candidates with a MSc/LLM in relevant fields will be preferred
  • Candidates with specialisation in patents as evidenced from published papers or with experience in patent search will be preferred
  • Academic/research/ industry experience in the field of IP
  • Interest in empirical investigations
  • Fieldwork experience
  • Quantitative data analysis skills

How to Apply

Please use the Google form, and include the following documents:

  1. An updated CV
  2. A statement of purpose (500 words) outlining your interest in the position, and suitability for the role
  3. Details of two professional references
  4. A writing sample, preferably a solo-authored published piece

Reporting

The RAs will work under the supervision of, and report to, the IPR Chair Professor.

Compensation

The RAs monthly compensation will be between Rs 47,000 and 67,000 commensurate with educational qualifications.

For any queries, please write to

Deadline

The last date for submission of applications is April 30, 2026 (5 PM IST).

Call for Quotations | Supply and Installation of Equipment Required for Setting-up Two Hybrid Classrooms in NAB Block at NLSIU

The National Law School of India, Bengaluru (“NLSIU/University”), a University established under the National Law School of India Act, 1986, imparting legal education invites quotations from eligible persons (individuals/firms/companies/establishments) for the “Supply and Installation of Equipment Required for Setting-up Two Hybrid Classrooms in New Academic Block (NAB) at NLSIU.”

Interested parties are requested to submit their quotations in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in the RFP document.

  • Date of Issue of Quotation: April 8, 2026
  • Last date of submission of RFP proposal: April 15, 2026 (5 PM IST)
  • Delivery and Installation Timelines: Within 21 days from the date of issue of Purchase Order

Research | “NLSIU–SAM White Paper on Asset Tokenisation in India”

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, in collaboration with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (SAM) & Co., has released a white paper titled “Designing a Framework for Asset Tokenisation in India.” The study was completed in December 2025.

Authored by Dr. Sudhanshu Kumar, Associate Professor of Law, NLSIU; Varsha Aithala, Assistant Professor of Law, NLSIU; Karthik Suresh, Assistant Professor of Law, NLSIU; and Shinjini Mitra, Academic Fellow, NLSIU, along with along with Ms Shilpa Mankar Ahluwalia, Head of the FinTech Practice Group and Co-Head of the Banking & Finance Practice Group, SAM & Co. and Ms Purva Anand, Associate, Financial Regulatory and FinTech vertical, SAM & Co., the white paper examines the emerging landscape of asset tokenisation and its implications for India’s financial and regulatory systems.

Reimagining Ownership and Financial Systems

Asset tokenisation is increasingly reshaping financial systems globally. By enabling the digital representation of rights and interests in assets, tokenisation has the potential to make transactions faster, reduce operational and compliance costs, and expand access to investment opportunities.

At its core, tokenisation allows high-value assets to be broken into smaller, more accessible units, while also enabling the bundling and unbundling of rights associated with both physical and intangible assets. While the underlying technology may appear complex, the white paper frames tokenisation as an extension of established legal and economic principles.

The Need for Regulatory Clarity

As tokenisation continues to evolve, the need for regulatory clarity has become increasingly urgent. For India, this moment presents an opportunity to shape a forward-looking and contextually grounded framework.

The white paper highlights the importance of coordinated engagement between policymakers, regulators, industry stakeholders, and users to define taxonomies, regulatory categories, and key legal considerations.

Key Contributions of the White Paper

The paper provides a structured and comprehensive approach to understanding and regulating tokenisation in India:

  • Conceptual Foundations: An introduction to tokenisation, including the lifecycle of tokens and their functional characteristics
  • Legal Analysis: Examination of how tokens intersect with existing Indian laws on contracts, property, securities, payments, consumer protection, and foreign exchange
  • Token Classification Framework: A practical taxonomy categorising tokens into securities, investment, and ownership tokens, supported by real-world examples
  • Comparative Insights: Analysis of regulatory approaches across six international jurisdictions
  • Policy Pathway: A phased framework for India, balancing innovation with regulatory safeguards

Towards a Phased and Parallel Framework

Rather than proposing a complete overhaul of existing systems, the white paper recommends a phased and parallel approach, allowing tokenised markets to develop alongside current regulatory and market structures. Over time, these systems can integrate as legal certainty, infrastructure, and regulatory capacity mature.

The paper offers a directional policy perspective, focusing on taxonomy, regulatory design choices, inter-agency coordination, and the role of sandbox-led experimentation.

Advancing the National Conversation

This collaborative effort seeks to contribute meaningfully to India’s evolving discourse on digital asset infrastructure. By outlining both conceptual foundations and actionable policy pathways, the white paper aims to support the development of a balanced, innovation-friendly, and future-ready regulatory framework for asset tokenisation in India.

Read the White Paper here.

Research | “Digital Lending Ecosystem: A Case for Inclusion of NBFCs in Credit Line on UPI” | White Paper

The Chair on Consumer Law and Practice, at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru through has undertaken a research study titled “Digital Lending Ecosystem: A Case for Inclusion of NBFCs in Credit Line on UPI.”

The study was conducted by:

Funded by the Technology Services Industry Association, the study examines the evolution of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) from a payments rail into a credit-enabled digital public infrastructure, with a focus on the Credit Line on UPI framework and the present exclusion of Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) from direct participation.

As part of the project, a stakeholder consultation was held on January 16, 2026, with participation from industry and industry associations, generating positive feedback on the White Paper. The findings were also presented to government stakeholders on March 24 and 27, 2026.

This work contributes to ongoing policy discussions on digital lending, financial inclusion, and the future of India’s digital public infrastructure.

Read the White Paper here.

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A Life in Teaching, A Legacy in Learning | In Conversation with Dr. V. S. Elizabeth

As she retires after more than three decades at National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Dr. V. S. Elizabeth looks back not just on a career, but on a life intertwined with the University. She joined at a time when NLSIU was still finding its feet, and stayed on to witness, and shape, its evolution into a leading institution. Her reflections are not only about teaching and scholarship, but about people, relationships, and a deeply held sense of purpose. In her words, NLSIU was never just a workplace, it was a shared project, built with care, conviction, and a belief in what legal education could become. Dr. Elizabeth, Professor of History, NLSIU in conversation with Deepti Soni, Director, Communications & External Relations, NLSIU.

“It never felt like a workplace. It felt like building something that was ours.”

Please tell us about your journey at NLSIU.

I joined NLSIU in 1991, when everything was still new, uncertain, and full of possibility. We were a small group of faculty, guided by Professor N. R. Madhava Menon, the Founding Director. I began with a modest salary of ₹2,000 a month while finishing my Ph.D. and was regularised as Assistant Professor in 1995.

But what stands out is not the designation or the timeline, it is the spirit of those years.

There was a remarkable sense of togetherness. There was very little hierarchy, faculty, administrative staff, drivers, support staff, everyone worked as one unit. We knew each other, we relied on each other, and we respected each other.

I still remember the entrance examinations, faculty travelling across the country, staff staying up through the night packing question papers, carrying heavy suitcases to airports at odd hours. Nobody asked about working hours or overtime. We simply did what needed to be done.

And then there were the long nights of evaluation, finishing classes, gathering in a room, working through the night, sharing meals, and returning to class the next morning. It sounds exhausting now, but at that time, it felt purposeful. It felt like we were building something meaningful.

What made this possible was the sense that this institution belonged to us. Faculty meetings were spaces where ideas were debated openly. Even when decisions did not go your way, you knew you had been heard. Over time, that created a deep emotional investment, this was not just a job, it was our university.

“Teaching, for me, was never static. It was a journey of learning alongside my students.”

How did your academic journey evolve over the years?

I came to NLSIU as a historian, and to be honest, I was not very enthusiastic about teaching in a law school. Legal history, as it was then framed, felt narrow and descriptive. I struggled initially to find my place.

But over time, that changed.

I began to reimagine my courses, not as a recounting of statutes, but as an exploration of historical context, ideas, and lived realities. My engagement with the Centre for Women and the Law was particularly transformative. It introduced me to feminist thought and feminist legal theory, which reshaped both my teaching and my own understanding of the world.

Gradually, my courses began to reflect these shifts, bringing together history, law, gender, and society.

And in many ways, my students were my teachers. Their questions, their disagreements, the materials they brought into discussions, they constantly pushed me to think differently. Teaching became a space of mutual intellectual growth, not one-way instruction.

“We did not just teach courses. We built an institution and we stood by our students.”

What distinguished NLSIU in its early years?

One of the defining features was the emphasis on research and writing. The system of continuous evaluation, especially project work, ensured that students learned how to think, analyse, and articulate ideas clearly. Over five years, this created graduates who were not just knowledgeable, but thoughtful and independent.

But equally important, perhaps even more so, was the mentorship culture.

This was a fully residential programme. Students came in at 18, at a very formative stage in their lives. They were navigating academic pressure, personal challenges, relationships, identity. As faculty, we were present, not just in classrooms, but in their lives.

Students came to us with everything, from academic doubts to deeply personal struggles. And we listened. We guided. We supported.

Looking back, I would say we were, in many ways, surrogate families to our students. That closeness created bonds that have lasted decades.

“The classroom was my anchor. No matter how I felt, it always lifted me.”

What has been the most fulfilling part of your time here?

Without a doubt – the classroom.

I could walk into class feeling tired, low, or distracted, and walk out completely energised. There was something deeply fulfilling about that space, the exchange of ideas, the questions, the debates.

When students engage, when they challenge you, when they think for themselves, you can see learning happening. And that is incredibly rewarding.

Those moments, of connection, curiosity, and shared thinking, have been the most meaningful part of my 34.5 years here.

“I would like to be remembered as someone who walked the talk.”

What would you like to be remembered for?

For integrity.

It was always important to me that my students saw me as fair and objective, not influenced by bias or personal preference. I tried, as far as I could, to practice what I spoke about in class.

I remember a student once telling me that he saw me as a person of integrity. It stayed with me, because it meant that what I was trying to live by was visible to them.

If my students remember me as someone who walked the talk, that would be enough.

“These five years can shape your life. Don’t take them lightly.”

What message would you like to leave for faculty and students?

For faculty, teaching is not just about delivering lectures. It is about being present, as mentors, as listeners, as guides. Students need more than instruction; they need engagement and care.

For students, these five years are incredibly important. This is a time of growth, intellectual, personal, emotional. NLSIU offers you opportunities you may not even fully recognise right now.

Use them well.

There will be distractions, there will be moments of doubt, but what you do with these years will shape the course of your life. Invest in them with sincerity and purpose.

As Dr. Elizabeth steps away from the classroom, her legacy endures in the generations of students she has taught, mentored, and shaped. Her journey is inseparable from the story of NLSIU itself, of building an institution with care, conviction, and integrity. In her words and work, she leaves behind not just memories, but a standard: of teaching with purpose, engaging with empathy, and remaining steadfast to one’s values.

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Invitation to Teach Elective Courses at NLSIU | July 2026 – September 2026 (Trimester I)

NLSIU invites interested persons to offer Elective Courses at the University in the first trimester (July 1, 2026 to September 17, 2026) of the Academic Year 2026-27.

An elective course at NLSIU requires 40 hours of classroom engagement (40 hours of classroom engagement ordinarily spread across 10 weeks – July 01 to September 17, 2026) and two office hours every week for consultation and discussion with students.

All classes of full-term elective courses shall be conducted in-person on campus.

On request and availability, the University may support Visiting Faculty with an Academic Associate to assist with the delivery of the course.

Elective Courses vary in their focus and pedagogy. Three types of Elective Courses are common at NLSIU:

  • Taught Course (predominantly lecture/discussion-based, with an exam);
  • Research Course (focussed on review of primary and secondary research leading to a Term Paper);
  • Practice or Clinical Course (focussed on field work, simulation, drafting or litigation exercises taught and examined through the clinical methods).

All classes shall be held between 9 am and 7 pm on weekdays only. Most elective courses are usually scheduled between 2 pm and 7 pm. For some courses, on a special basis, classes may be scheduled on Saturday.

In exceptional cases, 40 hours of classes may be condensed into 4-6 weeks.

The University will reimburse one economy-class airfare, to-and-fro from Bengaluru for domestic flights only. The University will not be able to provide any reimbursement for international flights.

The University will make necessary arrangements for accommodation in an off-campus facility arranged for postgraduate students, research scholars, visiting faculty and research staff for individuals selected to teach electives after mutual discussion for an initial 10 days from the commencement of the trimester only. Based on availability, the University may be able to make arrangements on a paid basis for the whole trimester.

Individuals who are desirous of teaching elective courses at NLSIU must invariably possess a graduate and post-graduate degree in Law or the Social Sciences. Post-qualification experience of 3 years or more will be preferred. Alternatively, they may have at least 7-10 years of post-qualification experience in legal practice. Individuals who have published widely in their fields of expertise, shall be preferred.

To apply, kindly fill out the form here. The form has further links to Full Term Elective Course Template and Clinical Elective Course Template.

The last date to submit the form is April 27, 2026. 

Your proposal shall be reviewed by the Academic Review Committee (ARC) of the University. The course shall be finalised after registration of choices by students. Please note that a course is offered only if it meets: (1) the approval of the ARC, and (2) a minimum number of students as required by the University’s Academic Regulations subscribe for the course.

For any academic queries, please contact Dr. Saurabh Bhattacharjee at or Dr. Atreyee Majumder at . For any other queries, please contact Mr. Shailendra Pratap Singh at .

FAQs

Here are some FAQs that will help you gain a better understanding of the electives courses and the process for applying to teach these courses. To know more, please click here.

Discussion | Public Interest Litigation from a Comparative Perspective: Legitimacy of Judicial Lawmaking – A Report

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, hosted a two-day, closed-door discussion on “Public Interest Litigation from a Comparative Perspective: Legitimacy of Judicial Lawmaking,” on March 28–29, 2026 at the University campus. The discussion was organised in collaboration with colleagues from the universities of Tilburg and Utrecht, the Netherlands.

The discussion brought together former Supreme Court of India judges, practitioners, and scholars from India and abroad to examine the evolving role of courts in Public Interest Litigations (PILs) and the challenges of maintaining judicial legitimacy in complex governance contexts.

The discussions were structured around a framework of three dimensions of legitimacy:

  • input legitimacy (access to courts and standing),
  • throughput legitimacy (judicial reasoning, fact-finding, and procedure), and
  • output legitimacy (remedies, compliance, and broader societal impact).

Participants engaged deeply with questions relating to access to justice, the role of expertise and amici, and the increasing use of supervisory remedies in PILs.

Day 1 featured intensive thematic sessions with contributions from senior advocates, academics, and former judges of the Supreme Court of India, who reflected on their institutional experiences and doctrinal approaches to PIL adjudication. The conversations highlighted both the transformative potential of PILs in addressing governance failures and the risks of judicial overreach, inconsistency, and challenges in ensuring compliance. The following speakers participated in the discussion:

Panel 1

  • Ritwick Dutta, Advocate (Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment, New Delhi)
  • Thulasi K. Raj, Advocate, New Delhi and Kochi
  • Jayna Kothari, Senior Advocate (Executive Director, Centre for Law and Policy Research, Bengaluru)
  • Goutham Shivshankar, Advocate, New Delhi

Panel 2:

  • Justice Abhay S. Oka (Former Judge, Supreme Court of India)
  • Justice Uday Umesh Lalit (Former Chief Justice of India)
  • Justice Kurian Joseph (Former Judge, Supreme Court of India)

Panel 3:

  • Dr. Kamala Sankaran, Ford Foundation Chair in Public Interest Law, NLSIU
  • Dr. Sanjay Jain, Professor of Law, NLSIU
  • Dr. Anuj Bhuwania, Professor of Law, Shiv Nadar University, Chennai
  • Dr. Ananth Padmanabhan, Vice Chancellor, Sreenidhi University, Hyderabad
  • Dr. Siddharth Narrain, Assistant Professor of Law, NLSIU

Day 2 focussed on consolidating insights from the discussion and identifying avenues for future research and collaboration. Comparative perspectives from jurisdictions including the United States, South Africa, and the Netherlands enriched the discussions, situating Indian PIL within a broader global context. Participants also explored prospects for joint publications to carry forward the discussions.

The day also saw two academic presentations by:

  • Dr. Rob van Gestel, Full Professor at the Private Law Department of Tilburg University, the Netherlands, Courts to the Rescue of the Public Interest.
  • Dr. Kamala Sankaran, Pranav Verma (Assistant Professor of Law, NLSIU), and Shashank Patil (Student, NLSIU), Financial Viability of Private School Education: Understanding the Role of Courts in India.

The two-day discussions, which were opened by Dr. Sidharth Chauhan (Assistant Professor of Law, NLSIU) and Dr. Rob van Gestel, form part of a larger international research project on how courts construct and sustain legitimacy in public interest litigation, combining comparative and empirical methodologies.

As a closed-door discussion, participation was by invitation only. The format was designed to facilitate in-depth and candid exchanges among participants, contributing to an ongoing research effort and fostering collaborative academic engagement.

The discussions are expected to inform future research outputs, including comparative scholarship and potential policy-relevant insights on judicial lawmaking in public interest cases.

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Image on PPT, is an illustration of the Supreme Court by Saahil, originally created for Outlook India. Image appears incidentally in event photographs.

Call for Quotations | Appointment of Vendor for Providing Facility Management Services to NLSIU

The National Law School of India, Bengaluru (“NLSIU/University”) is a University established under the National Law School of India Act, 1986, imparting legal education. Sealed quotations for the provision of “Facilities Management Services at NLSIU” are hereby invited from eligible Service Providers, subject to the terms and conditions enumerated in the documents hereunder.

  • Date of Issue of Quotation: March 26, 2026
  • Revised date of submission of RFP proposal: April 15, 2026 (5 PM IST)
  • Revised Quotation Opening Date (if applicable): April 17, 2026 (Tentative)

Please refer to the detailed RFP in the official notification here along with the annexures below. Read the addendum notification here.