News Archives - National Law School of India University

29ᵗʰ Annual H.M. Seervai Essay Competition in Constitutional Law

The National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, invites entries for the 29ᵗʰ Annual H.M. Seervai Essay Competition in Constitutional Law. Participants in this pan-India essay competition stand a chance to win the prestigious H.M. Seervai Gold Medal from NLSIU. The winning essay will be published in the National Law School Journal.

About the competition

In 1997, Senior Advocate Navroz Seervai instituted a Gold Medal in the name of the distinguished jurist, the late H.M. Seervai, for the best original essay written on the themes specified in Indian Constitutional Law. Over the years, this essay writing competition has become a prestigious event for law students all over India. The significant rise every year in the number of contributions from the student community shows their mark of respect and tribute to one of the greatest legal luminaries of our country, Hormasji Maneckji Seervai.

The last gold medal was awarded to Niharika Mukherjee, National Law School of India University, for her essay on ‘The Right to Contest Elections and Internal-Party Democracy: A Constitutional Proposal.’ Read the winning essay here.

Essay topic

‘A Decade in the Making of the GST (Goods and Services Tax): Gateway to a Single National Market or a Challenge to Federalism?’

Eligibility

Students currently enrolled in an LLB/ BA LLB/ BBA LLB/ BCom LLB regular mode programme in any recognised Law School/College/University in India may make a submission.

Submission guidelines

Each entry should be an original, unpublished, single-authored essay in English.
Every essay must clear anti-plagiarism checks & be supported by a bonafide certificate, duly signed by the Registrar/Vice-Chancellor or other Appropriate Authority.
Entries should be formatted in Times New Roman, size 12 font, double-spaced on an A4 sheet, & carefully referenced using the OSCOLA citation style.
Word limit: 7,000-10,000 words (inclusive of footnotes).
Submission Deadline: May 30, 2026

For any queries, please write to

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I am unable to get a bona fide certificate. What should I do?

We ask for a bona fide certificate as proof of your enrolment in a college/university. It can be a digitally signed document too. But in case you are unable to procure it, you may submit your college ID card as proof.

Can law students from countries other than India participate?

Unfortunately, no. Only undergraduate students, either foreign or Indian, currently enrolled in a recognised law school/college/university in India for an LLB or BA LLB or BBA LLB or BCom LLB regular mode programme can participate. Indian or foreign students enrolled in universities outside of India are not eligible.

Can 2024 graduates also participate in this year’s competition as I was unable to take part in 2024?

No. At the time of submission, students must be enrolled in LLB or BA LLB or BBA LLB or BCom LLB regular mode programme in any recognised law school/college/university in India.

Can an incoming student for an undergraduate law course in an Indian law university participate?

You are eligible to participate if you can provide a bona fide certificate from your institution as proof of enrolment.

Are students pursuing LLM eligible to participate in the contest?

The competition is only for undergraduate students.

Can final-year BA LLB students awaiting results participate?

As long as you are still enrolled in your college at the time of submission, you are eligible to participate.

Will I receive an acknowledgment for the submission?

We are unable to provide individual acknowledgments for submissions.

What is the acceptable file format for submission?

The essay can be submitted either in MS Word or PDF format. Please also remember to mention the total word count in your submission.

Can I include speaking/substantiative footnotes in the essay?

The use of speaking footnotes is permitted, though we encourage you to keep them to a minimum.

Is co-authorship permitted?

Co-authored essays will not be accepted. A submission must have a single author to be considered for the competition.

Should the submission be made on behalf of the college or as an individual submission?

The essay competition requires individual submissions. Entries cannot be submitted on behalf of the college.

Is there a registration fee?

No, there is no registration fee.

Should the references in the essay be in the form of footnotes or endnotes?

OSCOLA, the recommended citation style guide for the essay contest, follows only a footnote citation system.

Should I maintain double space in the footnotes or is it only for the main text?

The double spacing is only for the main text. Footnotes can be single-spaced.

Are there any specific guidelines for formatting the headings in the manuscript?

There are no specific guidelines for formatting headings. However, if your essay contains multiple levels of headings, we recommend numbering them clearly, for example, 1 for section heading, 1.1 for sub-section heading, and so on. But, please add a title for the essay.

Do I have to add an abstract for the essay. If yes, what are the guidelines for this?

There is no explicit requirement for an abstract. However, since abstracts can make long essays easier to navigate, you may consider including a summary of 150 words maximum. Please note that the abstract will not be counted towards your total word count.

When will the results be declared?

The results of the competition are generally announced during the month of August/September on the NLSIU website. Only the winning candidate will receive communication over email.

Are there second and third prizes? Will participation certificates be given?

Only one winning essay will be selected, which will be awarded the gold medal. We don’t provide participation certificates.

What is the process of publishing the winning essay in the National Law School Journal?

We will reach out to the winning candidate detailing all the processes.

Do I have to send in a plagiarism report?

Not required. We will conduct our own plagiarism checks.

If my essay is not selected as the winner, can I publish the submitted essay elsewhere?

All essays apart from the winning essay may be published elsewhere after the results are announced.

Dr. Sony Pellissery Participates At Delhi Development Authority’s Green Expo | Feb 2026

Dr Sony Pellissery was a speaker at the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) Green Expo, held on February 14–15, 2026. The theme of the two-day Expo was “Beyond Growth: Reimagining Urban Futures.”

Session on Development vs. Conservation: Finding a Middle Path

During the Expo, Professor Sony participated in a panel discussion titled “Development vs. Conservation: Finding a Middle Path.”

For the panel, Prof Sony was joined by:

Mr. Davinder Sandhu, Chairperson of Primus Partners (the Knowledge Partner for DDA Green Expo 2026)
Ms. Shubhi Kesarwani, CEO of Gurujal Foundation
Mr. Nikhil Dhar of IES College of Architecture, Mumbai

Professor Sony’s intervention was focussed on how development doctrine evolved from conceptualising cities as vehicles of growth to cities as spaces to realise justice. The latter focus is what is called New Urbanism. In other words, New Urbanism recognises the failures of traditional city-focussed growth models. Urban Planning as a profession has to prioritise whether the exercise is to build cities for growth or to build cities of spatial justice. Traditionally, planning as an instrument borrowed colonial models and focused on making aesthetic cities (to attract capital), to make cities look modern (contrasted to traditional countryside), and functional differentiation (as business areas, residential areas and industrial locations) within city. These three functions primarily served the interests of markets. Within intensified markets exchanges through globalisation, cities across the world began to look alike. This led to loss of ecological character of cities. Ecological crisis is an invitation to restore the ecological character of cities.

Professor Sony in his intervention pointed at requirements of such transformation as a typical example of obsession with infrastructure. Focus on urban infrastructure (at the expense of environment), has the logic of financial markets. He said: “Neglecting urban economy and focussing on infrastructure is like spending on a shiny front door of a leaking and disorderly house”.

His inputs were drawn from his book chapter “A Grammar for Transformative Urbanism.”

About the Summit

The first-ever “DDA Green Expo 2026” was organised at Baansera, Birsa Munda Chowk, New Delhi which was transformed into public park from a mountain looking heap of debris of Delhi Metro construction on the Yamuna Floodplains.

Anchored in the theme “Beyond Growth – Reimagining Urban Futures,” the expo aimed to promote sustainable and climate-resilient urban development. It highlighted how ecological restoration, green infrastructure, and nature-based solutions can transform cities into healthier, more liveable spaces. The event brought together policymakers, urban planners, environmental experts, academic institutions, industry leaders, and citizens to showcase innovative practices in urban greening, biodiversity conservation, and climate-adaptive planning. Through exhibitions, expert sessions, and interactive activities, the expo fostered collaboration, public awareness, and action toward a greener future. It reflected Delhi’s commitment to creating resilient, inclusive, and environmentally conscious urban spaces for generations to come.

The participants showcased innovations and shared knowledge on topics like:

Landscape restoration
Water-sensitive planning
Agri-tech and biodiversity initiatives
Waste-to-green technologies
Broader themes around sustainable city planning and infrastructure.

Call for Applications | Certificate Course on Understanding and Advancing Food and Nutrition Security | By Centre for Child and the Law at NLS | April 2026

The Centre for Child and the Law (CCL) at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru is inviting applications for a Certificate Course on ‘Understanding and Advancing Food and Nutrition Security,’ designed for CSO and NGO representatives, right to food practitioners, and individuals working to advance food and nutrition security in India.

This course combines academic rigor with a deep conceptual understanding of real-world challenges integrating research, teaching and field action to advance food and nutrition security, legal empowerment and social justice for children from marginalised communities.

The course will cover:

▪️ Conceptual and normative approaches to the Right to Food
▪️International normative frameworks
▪️Evolution of the Right to Food discourse in India
▪️Situational analysis of food and nutrition security
▪️Domestic legal and policy frameworks
▪️Nutrition Governance and public accountability mechanisms
▪️Approaches to advocacy for food and nutrition security

Learning outcomes:

It equips participants with the knowledge to operationalise laws in food-insecure societies, bridging theory with practical application through interactive and immersive learning, hands-on legal and policy insights and exclusive access to NLSIU’s expertise.

Course format:

This is a 3-month hybrid course beginning in April 2026. Participants will attend an in-person induction session and a three-day in-person session at NLSIU, Bengaluru, in addition to the scheduled weekly online sessions (Thursdays 4 to 6 pm).

Applications are now open. Apply through the google form link here: https://forms.gle/2d9vTgojqyUCsh2T9.

There is no course fee. Travel and accommodation sponsorship is available on request.

Please note that the language of instruction will primarily be in English with Hindi support. All resource materials for the course will be in English.

Apply by: March 7, 2026

In case of any queries please write to .

NLSIU Participates at the India AI Impact Summit 2026

A team from the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru comprising Prof. (Dr.) Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Devyani Pande, Assistant Professor, Public Policy; Mr. Amlan Mohanty, Non-Resident Fellow at Niti Aayog and Visiting Faculty at NLS and Mr Rahul Matthan, Visiting Faculty at NLS is participating at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 beginning in Delhi today.

Prof Krishnaswamy spoke at a panel discussion on Monday, February 16, 2026, titled ‘The Governance Gap: Designing Global Standards for AI Advisory Boards,’ which was hosted by the Oversight Board. His co-panellists were Saurabh Karn, Founding Member, Saravm AI and Julie Owono, Executive Director, Internet Sans Frontières. The panel explored minimum requirements for AI governance bodies and how ethical decision-making structures can function across companies of all sizes. The session explored lessons on structural independence, transparency, and human rights frameworks.

📹Watch the session video here. (via @IndiaAI)

Pre-Summit Official Events Hosted by NLSIU

NLSIU has been actively shaping conversations on AI governance in the lead-up to the Summit. It hosted two official pre-Summit events held at the University campus in Bengaluru in January.

The events were organised by the JSW Centre for the Future of Law at NLSIU with the support of the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET).

The first event, held on January 17, featured a Keynote Address by Dr. Akash Kapur, Visiting Research Scholar and Lecturer, Princeton University. In his lecture titled “AI in the Global South: DPI as an AI Governance Approach,” he examined AI governance in the Global South, with a focus on India and how a DPI-led approach aligns with broader global regulatory models.

The second event, held on January 24, was a panel discussion on AI Governance in the Global South. The session reflected on India’s newly released AI guidelines and explored emerging governance patterns across the Global South, bringing together experts from industry, policy, and academia.

The programme also featured discussions on the transformation of the regulatory landscape, emergent use cases for generative AI tools in automation, and the ethical and professional responsibilities surrounding access and bias.

Panellists included Mr. Amlan Mohanty, Non-Resident Fellow at Niti Aayog and Visiting Faculty at NLS; Mr. Prakash Narayanan, Global General Counsel, L&T Technology Services (LTTS); Ms. Eunice Huang, Head of AI and Emerging Tech Policy, Asia Pacific, Google; Mr. Jaideep Reddy, Partner, Trilegal; Prof. Rahul De’, Independent Consultant and Researcher; Retired Professor & Former Dean at IIM-Bangalore; Prof. (Dr.) Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice-Chancellor, NLSIU and Dr. Rahul Hemrajani, Assistant Professor of Law (Moderator).

Here’s a glimpse of the two events.

Recent Publications by NLS faculty on AI

NLSIU Faculty At The India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026

The Election Commission of India (ECI) invited the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, to participate in the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026, organised by the India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management (a global knowledge and capacity-building centre established by the ECI) between January 21 and 23 , 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. A team comprising Jasmine Joseph, Manish, and Isha Ahlawat (Assistant Professors of Law) represented NLSIU at the Conference.

The NLSIU team participated in several discussions, including on ‘Purity of Electoral Rolls,’ ‘Technology-driven Voter Registration,’ ‘Artificial Intelligence and Elections,’ ‘Counting and Tabulating Results,’ and ‘Tackling Misinformation and Disinformation in Elections,’ and engaged with a range of stakeholders from the Election Commission of India and other institutions. Jasmine Joseph also made a presentation titled ‘Technology-driven Voter Registration: A Legal and Constitutional Perspective.’

About the Conference

IICDEM 2026 was the largest global conference of its kind hosted by India in the field of election management and democracy, attended by nearly 1,000 participants including 60 international delegates representing 42 Election Management Bodies (EMBs), Ambassadors/High Commissioners of 27 countries, senior officers of the ECI, and 36 Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from across India representing all 28 States and 8 Union Territories. The Conference was held to mark India’s assumption of the Chairship of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for the year 2026, anchored in the theme ‘Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world.’ Shri Gyanesh Kumar, Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner, India presided over the gathering.

During IICDEM, 36 thematic groups, led by CEOs of States/UTs, supported by leading academic institutions, national and international academic experts, contributed to in-depth deliberations on cross-cutting global electoral themes, model international electoral standards, and best practices and innovations in electoral processes.

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Two-Day State-Level Training Workshop on ‘Social Justice Leadership’ | By CSSI, NLSIU & Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation Social Welfare Department, Karnataka

The Bhovi community in Karnataka continues to experience historical social exclusion, educational backwardness, economic vulnerability, and limited access to legal and constitutional awareness. Despite constitutional safeguards and multiple welfare legislations, the benefits of social justice laws and government schemes often fail to reach the community due to lack of awareness, legal literacy, and leadership capacity at the grassroots level.

Recognising this critical gap, the Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation, in collaboration with the Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion, National Law School of India University, conceived and implemented a state-level leadership training programme aimed at empowering Bhovi youth and community leaders with constitutional knowledge, legal awareness, and leadership skills. The workshop was held on January 17 and 18, 2026, at the NLSIU campus.

It is significant to note that even after 75 years of Independence, this was the first structured and comprehensive training programme focussed exclusively on the Constitution and social justice laws for the Bhovi community, marking it as a landmark and historic initiative.

Objectives of the Programme

The key objectives of the training programme were:

To create awareness among Bhovi community youth regarding constitutional values, fundamental rights, and social justice legislations.
To enhance understanding of education, health, economic and social development from a constitutional and rights-based perspective.
To disseminate information on government welfare schemes and development programmes relevant to Scheduled Castes.
To explain implementation challenges of social justice laws and identify practical remedies at the local level.
To develop community-level social justice leadership capable of guiding and supporting vulnerable groups.
To promote grassroots dissemination of legal awareness through trained youth leaders.

Participants:

Total Participants: 180 Bhovi community youth, community leaders, social workers and advocates.
Geographical Coverage: Participants represented multiple districts across Karnataka, ensuring statewide representation.

Training Sessions and Resource Persons

The training programme comprised structured, theme-based sessions delivered by eminent subject experts drawn from the judiciary, academia, civil society, and legal practice. Each session combined conceptual grounding, statutory interpretation, and practical guidance, enabling participants to understand both the intent and implementation of social justice legislations.

Reservation Policy and Milestones of Social Justice

This session provided a historical and constitutional overview of reservation policy in India, tracing its evolution from pre-Independence social reform movements to post-Constitutional jurisprudence. The focus was on the role of reservation as an instrument of substantive equality, social inclusion, and redistribution of opportunity, rather than as a welfare concession.

Dr. Banjagere Jayaprakash, Cultural Thinker, elaborated on the philosophical foundations of social justice, the contributions of social reformers, and the ethical imperatives underlying affirmative action.
Mr. Dinesh Amin Mattu, Senior Journalist, examined contemporary debates on reservation, media narratives, and the importance of safeguarding constitutional guarantees for historically marginalised communities.

The session enabled participants to critically understand reservation as a constitutional right linked to dignity and social transformation.

Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prohibition of Transfer of Certain Lands) Act, 1978

This session addressed one of the most critical issues affecting Scheduled Caste communities—alienation of granted lands and the legal remedies available for restoration.

Sri Mohan Kumar, Advocate, High Court of Karnataka, explained the objectives, key provisions, and judicial interpretations of the Act, including procedures for filing applications, limitation issues, and common implementation challenges.
Sri Venkatesh Varse, District Judge and Arbitrator, provided insights into adjudicatory processes, evidentiary requirements, and the role of revenue and judicial authorities in ensuring effective enforcement.

Participants gained practical clarity on land rights protection and legal recourse mechanisms under the Act.

Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and Child Labour Laws

This session focused on the intersection of social customs, poverty, and child rights violations, with specific reference to child marriage and child labour.

Mr. Venkatesh T., Director, Spandana Women and Child Development Organisation, outlined the statutory framework, preventive and punitive provisions, and the roles of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers, labour departments, and local administration.

The session sensitised participants to early identification, reporting mechanisms, and community-based prevention strategies, emphasising the role of trained youth leaders in safeguarding children’s rights.

Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) Act, 2013

This session addressed the policy and fiscal dimensions of social justice through an in-depth discussion on targeted planning and resource allocation.

Dr. Pradeep Ramavath J., Associate Professor, Centre for Livelihood and Social Entrepreneurship, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Guwahati, explained the objectives of the SCSP/TSP framework, statutory obligations of departments, budgeting processes, and monitoring mechanisms.

Participants were trained to understand how public resources are planned, allocated, and utilised, enabling them to engage with district and departmental authorities for effective implementation.

Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and Human Trafficking

This session focused on forced labour, debt bondage, and human trafficking, which continue to affect vulnerable sections despite legal prohibitions.

Mr. William Christopher, Member, State High-Power Committee on Bonded Labour and Human Trafficking, explained the legal definitions, identification processes, rescue and rehabilitation protocols, and inter-departmental coordination mechanisms.

The session equipped participants with knowledge to identify cases of bonded labour and trafficking, facilitate reporting, and support rehabilitation measures at the grassroots level.

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989

This session dealt with one of the most significant protective legislations for Scheduled Castes, focussing on prevention, prosecution, and victim rehabilitation.

Mr. Shivamani, Advocate, elaborated on the scope of offences, procedural safeguards, and the importance of timely registration of cases.
Mr. Sriram, Advocate, discussed recent judicial interpretations, victim compensation schemes, and the responsibilities of police and district administrations.

Participants were sensitised to rights-based enforcement, legal remedies, and the importance of collective action in addressing caste-based violence and discrimination.

Labour Laws and Workers’ Rights

This session addressed the rights of workers in both organised and unorganised sectors, with particular relevance to migrant and informal labourers.

Prof. Babu Mathew, Director, Centre for Labour Studies, NLSIU, provided an overview of key labour legislations, wage protection, social security entitlements, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

The session enhanced participants’ understanding of labour rights as social justice issues, linking employment, dignity, and constitutional protections.

Overall Training Approach

Across all sessions, emphasis was placed on:

Translating law into practice
Encouraging community-level leadership and intervention
Strengthening the role of trained youth as local social justice facilitators
The comprehensive and interdisciplinary nature of the sessions significantly contributed to the capacity building and empowerment objectives of the programme.

Programme Coordination

The programme was coordinated by Dr. R. V. Chandrashekar, Centre for the Study of Inclusion Policy National Law School of India University, Bengaluru

Outcomes of the Programme

The following outcomes were achieved:

Enhanced legal and constitutional awareness among participants.
Improved understanding of social justice laws and welfare schemes.
Development of a cadre of trained youth leaders capable of community-level intervention.
Strengthened collaboration between government, academia, and community

Resolutions and Way Forward

Participants resolved to:

Conduct local-level awareness programmes in their villages and districts.
Assist community members in accessing legal remedies and government schemes.
Promote constitutional values and social justice principles at the grassroots.
Support victims of injustice through collective, organised action.

The Two-Day State-Level Social Justice Leadership Training Workshop stands as a model capacity-building initiative that effectively combined government support, academic expertise, and community participation. The programme has laid a strong foundation for grassroots leadership, legal empowerment, and social justice advocacy within the Bhovi community across Karnataka.

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Call for Quotations | Miscellaneous Civil and Other Works

The National Law School of India University, Bangalore (NLSIU) invites quotations from eligible (individuals/firms/companies/establishments) for the ‘Miscellaneous Civil and Other Works at NLSIU.’ Interested parties are requested to submit their quotations in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined below:

Date of Issue of Quotation: January 28, 2026
Last Date for Submission: February 2, 2026
Evaluation and Awarding of Contract: On or before February 5, 2026 (Tentative)
Contract/Service Start Date: 1st Week of February 2026 or before (Tentative)

Please refer to the scope of work and other terms and conditions in the official notification here.
For Bill of Quantities, refer to Annexure 1 here.

NLSIU’s Legal Services Clinic Launches ‘Project Parihara’ | An Outreach Initiative with Child Care Institutions in Bangalore Urban | November–December 2025

The Legal Services Clinic at NLSIU launched “Project Parihara,” an outreach initiative launched in collaboration with the District Child Protection Officer, Bangalore Urban, under the guidance of the ICare Foundation, from November to December 2025.

About the Project

Project Parihara involved volunteers from the Legal Services Clinic organising weekly visits to the state-run Child Care Institutions (CCIs) Complex in Bangalore Urban. The initiative targets children in need of care and protection (CNCP) across three major institutions: Shishu Mandir (0-6 years), The State Girls’ Home (6-18 years), and The State Boys’ Home (6-18 years). During their visits, LSC volunteers conducted a series of interactive sessions that focused on life skills and legal awareness. Before undertaking the visits, all volunteers completed a sensitisation workshop on “Trauma-Informed Communication,” conducted by Dr. Madhubanti Sadhya (Professor in charge, Chair on Juvenile Justice, NLSIU) and Ms. Amaidhi Devaraj (Director, Centre for Child and the Law, NLSIU) on November 27, 2025.

The initial visits were observational, with volunteers attending the Children’s Day programme organised by the DCPO and spending time familiarising themselves with the institutional environment, children, and caregivers. On December 6, 2025, LSC volunteers joined employees from a corporate firm during a CSR visit to the institution. Subsequent visits shifted focus towards structured capacity-building. Bhavya, one of the volunteers, observed that the state houseparents and staff were ‘actively involved’ and driven by empathy, ensuring that the burden of their responsibilities did not reflect on the children’s upbringing.

On December 10, 2025, the volunteers conducted a financial literacy session at the State Girls’ Home. Through flashcards and role-playing, the session unpacked the distinction between needs and wants, introduced the income, expenditure, and savings cycle. Volunteers also addressed issues like fraud awareness, including the dangers of sharing OTPs and engaging with suspicious links. The session was marked by active participation. Neha Kumari, one of the LSC volunteers, noted that the girls participated enthusiastically in the games and emphasised that these sessions are “a vital way to educate and empower these bright young minds.” Neil Bruce and Yashasvi Bharadwaj, two of the LSC members, also had the opportunity to observe CWC proceedings on the same day.

Building on this, the visit on December 20 focussed on internet safety and cyber awareness. Volunteers discussed digital footprints, online boundaries, and the importance of safeguarding personal information. The final visit on December 24 brought the project to a close by combining practical life skills with a sense of festivity. Volunteers conducted a first aid workshop covering common emergencies such as nosebleeds, fainting, sprains, burns, and bee stings. The day concluded with Christmas carols, lending a celebratory cadence to the end of the project.

Takeaways

Collectively, Project Parihara offered LSC members a grounded understanding of state welfare beyond the classroom. The project sensitised volunteers to the importance of informed, patient, and respectful communication with children in institutional settings.

A Note of Gratitude

The LSC extends its gratitude to Ms Shilpa Spoorthy of ICare Foundation for her guidance and support throughout the initiative, to the staff of the District Child Protection Unit for their cooperation, and to all student volunteers whose commitment animated the project. We thank our coordinators, Mantrana Mahi Agarwal and Managya Sinha for leading the project, and all our volunteers (Akella Divya, Akshat Shraff, Aman Balhwan, Annie Mary Jacob, Anushka Ghatak, Asmita Sree, Bhavya Parameswaran Lakshmi, Daiwik Agarwal, Daiwik Agarwala, Disha GR, Izzuddin Qassam, Jigyasa, Kaushiki Pathak, Minchu B, Neil Bruce, Neha Kumari, Nischal Srinivasan, Pooja Rawat, Purva Pradeep, Sanketh GR, Siya Saurabh, Sneha Gupta, Sriya J Naik, Suchethna H, Tanisha Meena, Tushit Trijal, Yashaas B, Yashasvi Bhardwaj).

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Call for Applications | Research Associate Positions (2 Vacancies) | Project Ability Empowerment

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru invites applications for two Research Associate positions to work on Project Ability Empowerment – Regional Monitoring of Disability Rights and Care Institutions. These are full-time contractual positions for a period of six months (from the date of appointment), based in Bengaluru, with extensive field engagement across multiple States and Union Territories.

About the Project

Project Ability Empowerment – Regional Monitoring of Disability Rights and Care Institutions is a nationwide monitoring initiative mandated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India through its judgment dated September 12, 2025, in Reena Banerjee & Anr. v. Government of NCT of Delhi & Ors. The project seeks to:

Monitor State-run and private care institutions housing persons with cognitive and psychosocial disabilities; and
Assess the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and related constitutional and international obligations.

The Supreme Court has entrusted NLSIU, Bengaluru with regional monitoring responsibilities for the following jurisdictions:

States: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh
Union Territories: Puducherry, Lakshadweep

The project is sponsored by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, in coordination with the Social Justice Departments of the concerned States and Union Territories.

Role Description

The Research Associates will work closely with the faculty supervisors at NLSIU and will be responsible for the following tasks in the target states:

Assisting in the planning and execution of field visits to State-run and private care institutions across assigned jurisdictions.
Conducting on-site data collection, including institutional mapping, interviews, and documentation reviews.
Analysing compliance with statutory and regulatory frameworks under the RPwD Act, Mental Healthcare Act, and allied rules and guidelines.
Preparing field reports, monitoring notes, and jurisdiction-specific briefs.
Assisting in the preparation of the consolidated regional report to be submitted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
Coordinating with State and Union Territory authorities, civil society organisations, and institutional administrators.
Supporting project-related documentation, presentations, and internal reviews.
Handling administrative and logistical responsibilities related to the project.

Qualifications

Essential

LL.B degree OR Master’s degree in Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Public Policy, Development Studies, Disability Studies, or an allied discipline.
Demonstrated interest in disability rights, social justice, constitutional law, or institutional research.

Desirable

Demonstrable training/prior experience in field-based or empirical research.
Familiarity with disability law, mental health law, or social welfare legislation.
Experience working with government institutions, care facilities, or civil society organisations.
Ability to undertake intensive fieldwork across multiple locations.

Experience

Essential

0–5 years of work experience in academic research, policy and legal research , or social sector organisations, with demonstrable research and writing skills.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the Google Form here and upload the following documents:

An up-to-date CV
A statement of purpose (not exceeding 500 words) explaining motivation, suitability, and career relevance
Contact details and designation of two referees
A solo-authored writing sample (published or unpublished)

Compensation

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and will be in the range of ₹ 50,000 – ₹ 80,000 per month.

Queries

For any queries, please write to:

Deadline

The last date for submission of applications has been extended to February 6, 2026 by 5 pm (IST).

Call for Applications | JSW Centre for the Future of Law (JSW-CFL) Graduate Research Fellowship

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications (one position) for JSW Centre for the Future of Law Graduate Research Fellowship position for a period of one to two years.

About NLSIU

NLSIU was established in 1987 to be a pioneer in legal education. Over the last three decades the University has evolved as an innovative leader in law, social sciences, humanities, and public policy education and research in India. It has also been ranked first among the law universities in the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) for the last eight years.

About the JSW Centre for the Future of Law

The JSW Centre for the Future of Law was established in 2024 at NLSIU, Bengaluru, with the support of the JSW Foundation. The purpose of the Centre is to expand academic learning, advance research, and inform policy debates on issues related to law, technology, and system reform. Through partnerships across academia, governments, regulators, civil society and industry, the Centre aims to promote a robust and interdisciplinary understanding of issues such as the interface between health and regulation; the environment and the law; corporate governance; and the impact of new technologies on the future of the legal system, the legal profession and legal education.

It commenced research activities during the Academic Year 2025-2026.

About the JSW Graduate Research Fellowships

The Centre aims to pioneer innovative models of legal regulation and to nurture technologies that drive systemic reform and expand access to justice. Towards this end, it is pleased to announce research fellowships to support exceptional young scholars for a period of 1-2 years. To start with, applications are invited for one fellowship on the thematic priority areas of the Centre, which include:

Law and artificial intelligence;
Data governance and regulation;
Health, biotechnology and ethics;
Risk regulation and regulatory design;
Climate, biodiversity and ecological justice;
Technology and legal system reform.

More information about the centre and its thematic priority areas can be found here.

Responsibilities

The Fellow will be expected to:

Develop and execute a research programme (including developing proposals, concept/background notes for workshops and seminars, and cultivating research collaborations) around a topic related to one of the centre’s thematic priority areas;
Publish at least 1 peer-reviewed journal article each year;
Publish at least 4 short-form pieces, such as blog articles, policy briefs, case briefs, and/or commentaries for the NLS Scholarship Repository and/or opinion pieces or commentaries in popular media each year;
Present at a faculty seminar or research colloquium on campus;
Assist with research in an ongoing project under the supervision of the Centre’s Directors, provided such assistance shall not be more than 20% of a Fellow’s time per month;
Teach one elective course in their field of research each academic year (subject to the approval of the Academic Review Committee);
Fellow will need to show satisfactory progress to be eligible for the second year of the fellowship.

Other Terms of the Fellowships

The Fellows will:

Be based out of NLSIU campus in Bangalore and work at the JSW-CFL.
Be guided by the Centres’ Visiting Director and Faculty Director.
Get an opportunity to be part of NLSIU’s rich intellectual environment, participate in its workshops and seminars, avail of its extensive library and digital resources, and publish widely, including for NLS platforms (NLSIU blogs, peer-reviewed journals, and website).

Qualifications

Essential

Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
1-3 years of research experience (with a Bachelor’s degree) or Master’s degree in any discipline

Desirable

Demonstrated education or professional expertise in at least one of the centres’ thematic priority areas.
Up-to-date understanding of the technology and its implications in at least of the centres’ thematic priority areas.
Proven research activity, including at least one publication or equivalent output.
Excellent writing and editing skills across academic, policy, and public-facing formats.
Strong analytical, collation/synthesis, communication (written and oral), technical, and time-management skills.
Self-driven and collaborative, with the ability to work independently.

How To Apply

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

An up-to-date CV
A statement of purpose (not more than 500 words) or a short video (not more than three minutes submitted via YouTube link) outlining your research proposal and your suitability to undertake it
A research proposal (not more than 1000 words) on one of the six themes of the centre, explaining the scope, significance, methods and timeline of the proposed research
One writing sample, preferably a solo-authored published piece
Contact details and designation of two referees

For any queries, please write to

Compensation

Salary will be commensurate with qualification and experience and will be in the range of Rs. 55,000 to 70,000 per month.

Deadline

The last date for submission of applications is February 3, 2026 at 5 PM (IST).