News Type: News

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 20, 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
Last Date for Submission: April 10, 2026 (5 PM IST)
Quotation Opening Date: April 13, 2026 (Tentative)

Please refer to the detailed RFP in the official notification here along with the annexures below:

Call for Applications | NLSIU Litigation Fellowships

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for the NLSIU Litigation Fellowships. The Fellowships will be awarded to early-career lawyers already engaged in a litigation career and who demonstrate a commitment to advancing the rule of law and constitutional values.

About the Fellowship

There are several hindrances that young lawyers face as they begin their professional careers. First-generation lawyers, lawyers from marginalised communities, and women confront significant hurdles to earn a reasonable fee and receive adequate mentorship and guidance as they find their bearings in the profession and the courts. Continuous learning and developing professional skills are essential for further growth and these are currently lacking in early litigation careers. The NLSIU Litigation Fellowships will support a cohort of 30 early-career litigators with a monthly stipend of Rs. 30,000/-, professional mentorship and continuous learning opportunities for a period of two years.

The fellowships will foster a peer network that will act as a learning base. Initially, the project will support lawyers from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Graduate of a three (3) or five (5) year law degree with a minimum of 55% or equivalent CGPA, who has enrolled in the State Bar Council, and passed the All India Bar Examination;
  • Candidates who are in the final year of their law degree and scheduled to graduate in 2026 are eligible to apply. Prior to commencing the Fellowship, they should have graduated with a minimum of 55% or equivalent CGPA, enrolled in the State Bar Council and have passed the All India Bar Examination;
  • Candidates must be 30 years of age or below on the last day of application and should not have completed more than 5 years from the date of graduation;
  • Candidates will need to furnish proof that they have secured a position with a practising lawyer / law office and submit a statement of purpose articulating how their litigation careers will advance the rule of law and constitutional values.

Note:

Candidates who are first generation lawyers, and from marginalised groups will be preferred.

Women litigators are encouraged to apply. Women fellows will have opportunities to participate in the University’s broader efforts/programmes aimed at enhancing professional skills and networking opportunities for early-career women lawyers.

How to Apply

Please use the Google form here to apply.

For any queries, please write to

Deadline

The last date for submission of applications is April 19, 2026 (5 PM IST).

Corrigendum to the Call for NLSIU Litigation Fellowships 

NLSIU had made a call for Litigation Fellowships on March 26, 2026. In the said call, the fellowships were restricted to persons from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

Upon review and reconsideration, the University has decided to broaden the call for litigation fellowships nationwide. There is no geographical restriction for those who wish to apply for the litigation fellowships. The last date for submission of the application has been extended to April 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST.

Call for Applications | Clinic Co-Directors | 04 positions

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for four (04) positions of Clinic Co-Directors for the Labour Law Clinic, Criminal Justice Clinic, Caste Justice Clinic, Citizenship and Immigration Law Clinic (one for each clinic).  Read more about the Clinics down below.

Clinic Co-Directors will be appointed on contract for an initial period of twelve (12) months, and this may be extended for a further period based on mutual agreement. This role is based at the University campus, Bengaluru.

About the Role

We seek candidates committed to delivering an exceptional clinical education programme, integrating rigorous clinic-based research with impactful litigation and reflective teaching. The role involves identifying litigation partnerships, supervising students in live client work, contributing to strategic litigation and policy-oriented research.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Teaching

  • Co-developing and teaching a credit-bearing clinical course with a focus on how to integrate litigation work and strategies into academic curricula.
  • Coordinating training and supervision of students engaged in Clinic work.

Litigation

  • Designing, delivering, and managing the respective Clinic.
  • Developing the Clinic’s strategy, work plans, and operational frameworks.
  • Building a roster of litigation and legal aid cases that the clinic can take up for representation, and focus on setting up a practice from within the Clinic.
  • Supervising legal aid initiatives undertaken by the Clinic.
  • Expanding experiential learning opportunities through fieldwork and outreach.
  • Mentoring and monitoring the work of fellows selected under the fellowship programme who may be assigned.

Programme Management and Outreach

  • Supervise the Clinic’s team, including researchers, lawyers, and paralegals.
  • Identifying and sustaining partnerships with various stakeholders, legal services authorities, and civil society organisations.
  • Developing standard operating procedures and clinical guidelines.
  • Expanding experiential learning opportunities through fieldwork and outreach.

Research Engagement

  • In collaboration with the Clinic Faculty Director and Clinic researchers, guide the clinic’s research outputs, including designing and executing a comprehensive research plan for the Clinic in the relevant area of the clinic’s work.
  • Ensuring and contributing to annual research outputs individually or collaboratively.

Reporting Structure:

The Clinic Co-Directors will report to the Director, Clinics and Fellowships, NLSIU. They will work in close collaboration with the faculty and staff at the Clinics and the University at large.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications for the role:

Essential:

  • Graduate degree in Law, with valid enrollment in any State Bar Council.
  • Minimum six (06) years of post-qualification combined experience in litigation, legal research, or clinical legal education.
  • Demonstrated practical experience in the relevant field, having worked in various courts across the country.
  • Proficiency in speaking, reading and writing English.

Desirable:

  • A postgraduate degree in law or a related discipline is desirable.
  • Prior experience in clinical legal education, participatory teaching, or programme development is preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience in the specific area of law of the clinic.
  • Proficiency in speaking, and/or reading and writing any Indian languages fluently.
  • Proficiency in reading, writing and speaking Kannada.

Key Attributes:

  • Commitment to delivering high-quality clinical legal education and litigation outputs
  • Strong analytical ability and attention to detail.
  • The disposition and willingness to work collaboratively.
  • Proven team management and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to engage with civil society organisations, government authorities, and other stakeholders.

Compensation

Commensurate with demonstrated skills and experience. The University has approved a consultancy fee band of between Rs. 1,00,000/- to 1,50,000/- per month.

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 vision for the Clinic and suitability for the role
  3. Contact details of two professional referees

For any queries, please write to .

Deadline

The last date for submission of applications is April 15, 2026 (5 PM IST).

About the Clinics 

  • Labour Law Clinic, NLSIU

The Labour Law Clinic at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, seeks to strengthen access to justice for workers, particularly those who are engaged in precarious work, and have lesser access to organised representation. Through sustained legal representation and support, and community outreach, the Clinic will enhance access to legal services for workers. The Clinic will engage in litigation, and research in labour law, with special emphasis on informal workers and emerging forms of employment.

The Clinic aims to supplement the efforts of legal aid and legal representation for workers initially in Karnataka and gradually across India.   Together with the Centre for Labour Studies at NLSIU, the Clinic will engage in policy research and assist policy implementation – across state and national levels. The Clinic will adopt a multi-stakeholder approach to the field and collaborate with trade unions, worker collectives, employer associations, legal services authorities, and civil society organisations.

The Labour Law Clinic will deliver academic courses for credit at NLSIU, where students will work on litigation, legal aid, research, and policy outputs under close faculty and legal supervision.

  • Criminal Justice Clinic, NLSIU

The Criminal Justice Clinic at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore will be a vital bridge between rigorous classroom education and real-world advocacy, empowering students to engage directly with the complexities of India’s criminal justice system. Under the guidance of experienced faculty and practitioners, the clinic will immerse students in hands-on work addressing wrongful arrests, custodial violence, bail reform, and rehabilitation for accused individuals. The Clinic will collaborate with legal aid organisations, prisons, and courts across Karnataka and beyond, and give students the opportunity to translate classroom knowledge of  substantive criminal law into practical legal strategies and action, fostering a commitment to justice.

The Clinic will deliver academic courses for credit where students will under close faculty and professional legal supervision, interview clients, conduct legal research, draft legal submissions and support legal representation of litigants in trial courts and High Courts. Over time, the Clinic will contribute to policy research and support  amicus curiae briefs on various concerns in the criminal justice system. These engagements will  sharpen drafting, negotiation, and courtroom advocacy skills and expose students to ethical dilemmas, cultural sensitivities, and the socio-economic realities shaping criminal law litigation.

  • Caste Justice Clinic, NLSIU

The Caste Justice Clinic at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore will provide students with practical experience in developing robust legal responses to caste-based discrimination. Led by faculty and legal professionals, the clinic will develop legal strategies to respond to everyday challenges for marginalized caste groups including access to public services, workplace bias, and community disputes. The Clinic will begin by working with local legal aid groups in Karnataka and gradually expand its work nation-wide. Students will have the opportunity to apply various areas of law to concrete cases and gain hands-on exposure by responding to individual and community needs.

The Clinic will deliver academic courses for credit where students will learn effective legal practice in caste-related matters, thereby improving access to justice for marginalized communities. Students will, under close faculty and professional supervision conduct client interviews, prepare legal documents such as complaints and representations, assist with court matters. The initial work of the Clinic will focus on representation in securing caste certificates and interventions in cases under The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act), 1989.

  • Citizenship and Immigration Law Clinic

The Citizenship and Immigration Law Clinic seeks to provide legal assistance in cases under the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and allied legislations, and conduct law and policy research in this area. The clinic will be led by faculty and legal professionals experienced in research and practice in the fields of citizenship and immigration law. The clinic will focus on expanding legal aid to cases of citizenship and immigration law by providing legal representation and advice to individuals in cases of citizenship determination, asylum/refugee status, deportation, and detention. Wherever possible, the clinic will work closely with authorities under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

The Clinic will deliver academic courses for credit where students will learn effective legal practice in the area, thereby improving access to justice. The Clinic will also conduct research on citizenship and immigration law in India, in order to identify areas of policy reform. Students in the clinic will work on assigned cases under close supervision of consultant advocates and clinic leadership, and learn about litigation strategy, drafting, and legal research, in addition to becoming experts in specific laws. The Clinic’s activities will begin in the states of Karnataka and Assam in the first year, and expand to other states thereafter.

Admissions Open | NLSIU Summer School – Foundations for a Legal Education (FLE) Course

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for admission to the sixth edition of the Foundations for Legal Education (FLE) Certificate Course for 2026.

Apply Now

Moving from high school to law school is challenging for students – and NLSIU’s Foundations for a Legal Education can set you on the path to acquire the skills and intellectual abilities you need to make this journey easy and effective.

In a dynamic four-week curriculum, the FLE Course will introduce you to:

• Read critically and analyse complex materials
• Understand and analyse quantitative information in context
• Write persuasively
• Argue effectively
• Think like a lawyer!

The study of law demands specialised skill sets that young individuals may not have exposure to, or training in, and the FLE aims to bridge this gap. This course is open to high-school students, graduates and professionals keen to improve their comprehension, articulation, and reasoning abilities.

If you’re curious about studying law, this course, from NIRF-ranked #1 Law School is for you! The FLE will help you develop life-long skills that will:

  • Boost your ability to succeed at law school
  • Enhance your comprehension, articulation, and reasoning abilities
  • Springboard your journey into the world of academia and the profession

Applications for the FLE Course are now open! To know more and apply, visit our FLE Course page on the PACE website.

The deadline for application submission is April 24, 2026, by 11:59 pm (IST). 

For admission-related queries, write to

NLS Grad Akshat Baldwa Cracks UPSC in his first attempt

We are happy to announce that NLS graduate Akshat Baldwa, BA LLB (Hons) 2025, has secured an All-India Rank of 173 in the Civil Services Examination 2025. This was his very first attempt. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced the results of the 2025 examination on March 6, 2026.

Akshat joins a growing list of alumni who have joined the Civil Services and served with distinction. We spoke to Akshat to find out about his journey so far, and his plans for the future.

Akshat Baldwa NLS BA LLB (Hons) 2025

What motivated you to pursue the Civil Services?

Within the blind community, career options are often confined to a narrow band such as Group D positions or clerical roles in banks. I was clear that I did not want to remain within these conventional boundaries or become part of that pattern. I wanted to pursue a path that was both distinct and socially meaningful.

At the same time, I have always been inclined towards the advancement of marginalised sections. Civil Services appealed to me because it offers a rare combination of policy formulation and on-ground implementation. This ability to influence both the design and delivery of public policy made it a convincing choice.

How did your time at NLSIU shape your interest in public service or governance?

My time at NLSIU played a very important role in shaping my thinking. In constitutional law, we study the rights that every citizen is supposed to have, but in reality, many of these rights are not actually accessible. This gap between what the law promises and what people experience stayed with me. During my time there, I went to court to enforce accessibility standards in films through cases like Akshat Baldwa v. Yashraj Films and Akshat Baldwa v. Maddock Pictures. These cases did bring real change, which showed me that intervention can make a difference. At the same time, I felt that Civil Services would give me a much wider platform to work on such issues in a more sustained manner.

How did you approach preparation for the UPSC examination, and what kept you motivated during the process?

I began my preparation in the fifth year of law school, with very limited time at my disposal. As a result, I could not cover all standard textbooks in depth. I, therefore, focussed primarily on past years question papers and a lot of mock tests for the preliminary examination. Since my graduation and prelims were scheduled close together, I had almost no time to prepare for mains in advance. After the prelims result, I had approximately seventy days to prepare for mains. During this period, structured answer writing in a peer group proved particularly effective. I followed the similar approach for the interview stage, where a group of 5 of us conducted mock interviews for one another.

In terms of motivation, the circumstances were quite immediate. I had turned twenty-five and, despite graduating from NLSIU, did not have employment as I had chosen not to sit for Day Zero placements. It was like a gamble, and I felt a strong need to secure a livelihood and support my family. This urgency sustained my effort. At the same time, Civil Services had been my aspiration since Class 11, and I had consciously foregone other opportunities for it. That sense of commitment provided continuity during difficult phases.

What advice would you offer to current NLSIU students or alumni aspiring to appear for the Civil Services?

To current students: do not let the myth that UPSC is incompatible with college life become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I prepared during my fifth year and cleared it. If I could do it, there is no reason others cannot. It is demanding, yes, and requires disciplined time management,  but it is entirely doable without waiting for graduation.

To alumni considering the UPSC path: enter this journey with open eyes. Understand the exigencies of this examination before you commit — failure is not an aberration here, it is the statistically likely outcome. You must have a cogent backup plan and, equally importantly, a clear sense of how long you are willing to remain in the exam cycle. That self-awareness will save you from unnecessary anguish. And if any guidance would be helpful along the way, I am always available.

Looking ahead, what areas of public service are you most keen to contribute to?

I would like to work in areas that do not always get enough attention. Issues related to persons with disabilities are very close to me. I have seen firsthand how people with disabilities are routinely left out of systems that were never designed with them in mind. That’s something I’d like to change, wherever the opportunity presents itself. I am also interested in working for slum dwellers and other marginalized groups who often get left out of mainstream development. Beyond that, I’m open, this country has no shortage of places where committed public service can make a difference.

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