On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Legal Services Clinic (LSC), a student run committee at NLSIU, released the updated edition of the “Be A Durga” handbook in collaboration with Durga India (a not-for-profit organisation) on March 8, 2025. Designed as an accessible and practical legal resource, the handbook aims to equip women with the knowledge and tools needed to understand, navigate, and assert their rights in the face of gender-based violence.
Members of the LSC also visited Durga India’s office in Bengaluru for the official launch of the handbook and discussed further potential collaboration. Originally published in 2020, “Be A Durga” was conceived as a guide to help individuals—particularly women—navigate the complex legal systems surrounding violence and harassment. The 2025 edition has been significantly updated to reflect recent legal reforms, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). To improve accessibility and ease of understanding, the handbook has been restructured into a thematic FAQ-based format, covering legal protections in public, private, and digital spaces.
Reflecting on this initiative, LSC said: “With its use of simple language, minimal legal jargon, and engaging illustrations, the handbook serves as a user-friendly tool for survivors, support providers, and community advocates alike. This initiative would not have been possible without the invaluable partnership with Durga India, led by Priya Varadarajan, whose insights and expertise were instrumental throughout the project.
The Legal Services Clinic also gratefully acknowledges the academic mentorship of Aishwarya Birla, Assistant Professor of Law, NLSIU and Malini Chidambaram, (former) Assistant Professor of Law, NLSIU and extends heartfelt thanks to the team of contributors and design volunteers who brought the handbook to life.”
Looking ahead, LSC and Durga India plan to translate the handbook into Kannada and distribute it widely within local communities, furthering their shared mission of legal empowerment and gender justice.
With temperatures soaring in the city, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) continues to take measures to utilise its water resources sustainably and efficiently.
Given the vast expanse of our campus, adequate water is essential for the upkeep of lush green areas and campus facilities, spread across 23 acres. Of the 12,000 sqm of redeveloped area on campus, an estimated 6,000 sqm is covered by the garden area – this includes the library precinct, the amphitheatre, along with the area surrounding the four halls of residence.
To strengthen its ongoing water conservation activities, the University has collaborated with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to provide the University with a regular supply of treated water. This treated water is being used for gardening purposes so as to reduce the burden on other sources of water, primarily our borewells.
The University has taken all necessary infrastructural measures for the storage and distribution of the treated water. This supports our gardening team in tending to the campus flora without hampering the availability of water to the wider NLSIU Community for their essential daily needs. With this arrangement, the University has been able to regulate and manage the supply of water in houses (for drinking and bathing purposes), comprising approximately 1600 NLS community members.
This collaboration marks a significant step in our consistent efforts to continue keeping the NLSIU campus green and sustainable.
To read more about our recent sustainability initiatives on campus, click here.
The National Law School of India University’s Law and Society Archives launched ‘Maps of Memory: The Uma Chakravarti Collection‘, a landmark exhibition that brought together feminist and democratic histories from across South Asia. Hosted at the Bangalore International Centre from March 29 to April 6, the exhibition featured archival fragments—posters, photographs, films, and documents—that traced networks of activism, solidarity, and political imagination from the mid-20th century onwards.
Curated by NLSIU faculty members Diya Deviah and Ammel Sharon, the exhibition drew from the personal collection of renowned historian, filmmaker and activist Dr. Uma Chakravarti. It offered a rare, multi-sited glimpse into people’s movements across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, exploring how feminists imagined alternative futures through acts of resistance, community, and care.
Upon entering the exhibition, visitors were met with a striking wall of haphazardly pasted and torn posters. Diya Deviah, the art director, explained: “The intention was to resist presenting the poster as a polished art object. Instead, the display highlighted the inexpensive, urgent nature of posters—designed not for permanence, but to call for action or announce an event.”
Themes
The exhibition was structured around four thematic sections: (i) Archiving Feminist Histories, (ii) Friendships Beyond Borders, (iii) Democratic Participation and Civil Liberties, and (iv) Counterpublics and the Classroom. Each theme was introduced through a video, offering viewers the curators’ interpretive lens and unpacking the layered meaning of materials on display. For instance, the section on “the classroom” presented a history curriculum designed by Chakravarti and colleagues at the Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwa Vidyalaya in Wardha, where, in the absence of Hindi-language theory texts, literature and film became tools for analysing Indian social life.
The exhibition also included interpretive panels on the relationship between memory, material records, and insights from neuroscience, inviting visitors to consider the question: When and how does memory become history? It distinguished archives from collections, emphasising that archives are not just physical or digital storage spaces, but institutions governed by curatorial vision, public access policies, and historical responsibility.
Challenging notions of archiving
In this spirit, the curators challenged conventional notions of archiving. “We don’t see archives as dusty repositories for specialists,” say the curators. “In a post-truth era, archiving becomes a public question—about what counts as fact, whose stories are remembered, and how histories are constructed.” The exhibition traced the evolution of the “fact” from 16th-century bookkeeping practices to its transformation into “data” through market surveys and statistics in the 20th century. In the current age—where emotion often overrides evidence—the idea of the objective fact is under renewed scrutiny. This theme comes alive through materials like fact-finding reports from the People’s Union for Democratic Rights, including those authored by Chakravarti, which remain powerful records of human rights violations and documentation.
Maps of Memory reimagined archives as living spaces of interpretation and storytelling. It invited audiences to reflect not only on the past but also on the act of remembering itself—and the forms that justice, friendship, and solidarity can take in our present.
Sessions
As part of the week-long event, the curators hosted four workshops on inclusive archiving and digital poster design.
The exhibition opened with a panel discussion featuring Dr. Uma Chakravarti, historian and publisher V. Geetha, and theatre performer, poet, and activist Du Saraswathi. V. Geetha reflected on the fragmented and complex nature of women’s movement histories, noting that “women don’t speak in one voice.” She highlighted Bengaluru’s unique role in shaping feminist discourse, particularly through the alliances and friendships that emerged between Dalit, feminist, and left-democratic activists. The exhibition also featured a performance by Du Saraswathi titled Pakshi Purana—a reflection on masculinity and a call to notice the tenderness and care birds show one another.
Of particular interest to Bengaluru audiences was the inclusion of a newsletter from the city-based women’s organisation Vimochana, whose visuals were later borrowed by Sri Lankan activists for their own publications. Also featured was a moving testimony by Nandana Reddy, who recounted the imprisonment of her mother, Snehalata Reddy, the acclaimed actor from the film Samskara, who died while on parole after being held in solitary confinement during the Emergency.
The exhibition drew a large and diverse public audience, from students, scholars, and lawyers to journalists, filmmakers, and performers. Some of our attendees included Vrinda Grover (lawyer), Janaki Nair (scholar and author), AR Vasavi (anthropologist), Mary John (scholar), Deepa Dhanraj (filmmaker), Lakshmi Murthy (performer), and Maya Krishna Rao (performer), among many others. In addition, there were several guided walk-throughs scheduled during the weekend.
[left to right] Dr. Harisankar Sathyapalan, BA LLB (Hons) Chair; Dr. Saurabh Bhattacharjee, Dean-Academics & LLM Chair; Dr. Nigam Nuggehalli, Registrar; Ms. Karen Quirk; Hon’ble Mr. Justice Gerard Hogan, Supreme Court of Ireland; Dr. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Sneha Thapliyal, Dean-Students & MPP Chair; Dr. Arun Thiruvengadam, PhD ChairWe were honoured to host Hon’ble Mr. Justice Gerard Hogan, Judge, Supreme Court of Ireland, and his wife, Ms. Karen Quirk, at the NLSIU campus on April 3, 2025. During his visit, Justice Hogan delivered an insightful lecture titled ‘Findings of Unconstitutionality in India, Ireland and the US’. The talk was followed by a Q&A session.
In his lecture, Justice Hogan took a comparative look at the Constitutions of the three countries. He pointed out differences such as the basic structure doctrine in the Indian Constitution, as opposed to the Irish Grundnorm referendums. He also brought to light the differences in the way the terms ‘void’ and ‘invalid’ are used and interpreted across judgements and questioned what happens to a law when it is declared unconstitutional. He concluded his lecture by quoting B.N. Rau, constitutional advisor to the Constituent Assembly of India, with the statement, “Indian and Irish Constitutions are close cousins who ought to know each other much better.”
Speaking to us, Justice Hogan said: “I’m a huge admirer of the Indian Constitution and of the jurisprudence of the Indian Supreme Court and the role that it’s played in Indian society. And, you know, it is a privilege, and I’m humbled to be here.”
“This is my first visit to NLSIU and my second visit to India. The students were so impressive – they were so engaged, remained so patient, and asked such great questions, some of which were difficult!”
As part of his visit, Justice Hogan had a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the University along with the various Programme heads, interacted with the Public Law faculty cluster over an informal lunch, and went on a guided tour of the University campus.
Prior to visiting NLS, Justice Hogan also spent time in New Delhi where he met with Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of India.
About Hon’ble Justice Gerard Hogan
Justice Hogan was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ireland in October 2021.
A native of Tipperary, Justice Hogan was educated at University College Dublin, the University of Pennsylvania, The Honorary Society of King’s Inns, and Trinity College. He was called to the Bar of Ireland in 1984 and to the Inner Bar in 1997.
Justice Hogan previously served as a judge of the High Court from 2010 to 2014, as a judge of the Court of Appeal from 2014 to 2018, and as Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union from 2019 to 2021. (Source: Supreme Court of Ireland website)
The HUPA Chair for Urban Poor and the Law at NLSIU, in collaboration with Writing Urban India Collective and the Urban Studies Foundation (UK), is hosting a workshop from April 7 to 11, 2025, as part of the Writing Urban India Fellowship 3.0. The workshop will be held in sessions between 10 am to 5 pm at the Conference Room, Training Centre, NLSIU.
About the Workshop
The WUI Fellowship 3.0 Workshop is an intensive, writing-focused boot camp designed to enhance academic writing skills. Specifically tailored for fellows, the workshop emphasizes critical thinking, crafting persuasive arguments, working with evidence, and applying theoretical frameworks. Participants will set long-term writing goals for the next six months, aimed at transforming their research into polished, publishable work. Through hands-on sessions, expert mentorship in urban studies, and a focus on continuous improvement, this workshop will equip fellows with the tools and support needed to refine their writing and achieve academic excellence.
The National Law School of India University (“NLSIU”) established under the National Law School of India Act, 1986, invites quotations from book vendors, publishers, and journal suppliers for the procurement of books and bound journal volumes for the period starting from May 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027.
Date of Issue of Quotation: 03.04.2025
Last Date of Submission: Up to 5 PM on 17.04.2025
For more details along with the terms and conditions, please read the following:
NLSIU invites interested persons to offer Elective Courses at the University in the first trimester (July 1, 2025 to September 19, 2025) of the Academic Year 2025-26.
An elective course at NLSIU requires 40 hours of classroom engagement. These courses may be delivered in the following format:
Full Term Elective with 40 hours of classroom engagement spread across 10 weeks (July 1, 2025 to September 19, 2025). All classes of full-term elective courses shall be conducted in-person on campus. On request, 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 (focused on review of primary and secondary research leading to a Term Paper);
Practice or Clinical Course (focused on field work, simulation, drafting or litigation exercises 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.
The University will reimburse one economy-class airfare, to-and-fro from Bengaluru for domestic flights only. The University will make necessary arrangements for accommodation for individuals selected to teach electives after mutual discussion for initial 10 days from the commencement of the Trimester only. The University will not be able to provide any reimbursement for international flights.
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 last date to submit the form has been extended to May 13, 2025.
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. Harisankar K Sathyapalan 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.
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for the position (1 vacancy) of Department of Revenue (DOR) Chair Professor. This is a full time position, based out of the NLSIU campus in Bengaluru on contract basis for 5 years (extendable) or till the age of superannuation i.e., 65 years, whichever is earlier.
About NLSIU
NLSIU was established in 1987 and is a premier institution for legal excellence in India. The University has remained the undoubted leader in legal education and research in India and has been ranked first among Law Universities in the Ministry of Human Resource Development’s National Institute Ranking Framework for the last seven years.
NLSIU along with the Department of Revenue, Government of India, has established the Department of Revenue (DOR) to recognize scholars and teachers in the field of taxation law, anti-corruption, and foreign exchange regulation, 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.
The Department of Revenue (DOR) Chair Professor will engage in research in areas of direct and indirect tax laws to (i) strengthen the working capacity of DoR in areas of legal and policy research, (ii) to build and maintain an updated knowledge database in tax law and related areas, (iii) to act as a ‘think-tank’ for DoR, and (iv) to provide necessary legal advice on demand and to support DoR in capacity building.
Role Description
The Chair Professor will lead research and scholarship and mentor faculty in taxation at the University. The Chair Professor will participate in the teaching of taxation law to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students. The Chair Professor will be expected to publish high-quality research in taxation law in top ranking publications, globally. The Chair Professor will also extend training to DoR officers in Laws by way of seminars, conferences organised by NLSIU from time to time, and provide legal advice and capacity building to DoR personnel.
How To Apply
Interested individuals are requested to go through the University’s website, fill in the Application Form and upload the certificates to support their claim for educational qualifications, age, experience etc. on or before the deadline.
Please note:The shortlisted candidates will be intimated through email.
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for the position (2 vacancies) of Executive – Professional and Continuing Education (PACE). This is a full time position, based out of the NLSIU campus in Bengaluru.
About National Law School of India University (NLSIU)
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) was established in 1987 to be a pioneer in legal education. Over the last three decades the University has consistently been an innovative leader in legal education and research in India and has been ranked First among Law Universities in the National Institute Ranking Framework for the last seven years.
About the Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) Department
The University is committed to building on its legacy to become a leading Asian and Global law school in the next decade. In recognition of its mission to promote excellence in legal education, and to broaden access to the highest standards of learning in the law for all, NLSIU’s Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) Team provides a post-graduate master’s degree, and several post-graduate diplomas for students from all backgrounds. The PACE team designs and delivers training programmes for several leading organizations and government agencies. These programmes blend a deep understanding of the theoretical aspects of the law, practical know-how, and applications and examples from the field.
The PACE (Professional and Continuing Education) department invites online applications for Executive (2 vacancies) for a period of 1 year (extendable). NLSIU invites candidates with no previous academic university experience and from a diversity of careers to apply for the position.
About the Role
NLSIU is looking to hire a full-time, on-campus PACE Executive. Responsibilities will broadly include coordinating learning and delivery design of classes along with the logistics of examination processes for different programmes. The role will facilitate the academic administration of degree/diploma/certificate and training programmes run by PACE and will report to the Director, PACE.
Job description
Roles and Responsibilities
Supporting the academic administration of degree/diploma/certificate and training
programmes run by PACE;
Coordinating learning and delivery design of classes;
Working closely with the programme faculty for upkeep of the different learning platforms;
Managing the logistics of class schedules and related correspondence with faculty;
Coordinating the logistics of examination processes for different programmes
Facilitating digitisation of study materials;
Facilitating effective communication and feedback loops among various stakeholders;
Ensuring adherence to processes, timelines and SOPs;
Responding to student queries with speed and accuracy;
Collaborating with peers to ensure a high-quality experience for all stakeholders;
Any other task assigned by the supervisors.
The ideal candidate must have the following skills and qualifications:
Essential Qualifications
Graduate in administration/management education, project management, IT or a related field.
Desirable Qualifications
Post-Degree or Diploma in administration/management education, project management, IT or a related field.
Essential Experience
At Least 2-3 years experience in administrative or operations role (preferred).
Desirable Experience
Experience in managing academic and online programmes in the education technology sector.
Skills
Excellent general skills with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and IT skills;
Competent in Learning Management technology or digital academic tools;
High analytical ability. Prior experience in data management and analysis is preferred;
Strong communication skills, both written and oral;
Excellent interpersonal skills, fostering teamwork and a collaborative work ethic;
Critical thinking and ability to suggest alternatives;
Ability to work flexibly and willing to go beyond office hours. The role will require to work over weekends;
Must take full ownership of assigned projects and work independently.
NLSIU is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our institution.
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for a full-time on-campus Legal Officer for a period of one year (extendable).
About National Law School of India University (NLSIU)
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) was established in 1987 to be a pioneer in legal education. Over the last three decades the University has consistently been an innovative leader in legal education and research in India and has been ranked First among Law Universities in the National Institute Ranking Framework for the last seven years.
About the Role
NLSIU invites applications for a full-time on-campus Legal Officer for a period of one year (extendable). Candidates with no previous academic university experience and from a diversity of careers are encouraged to apply for the position. Candidates who have taken a career break or are transitioning between careers are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities will broadly include – Providing legal advice on a variety of issues; Managing the University’s litigation; Drafting, negotiating and reviewing policies, notices, agreements, contracts and legal advice on RTIs. The role will work closely with various departments and will report to the Registrar and Vice Chancellor. Key enablers of success in this role include the ability to collaborate and communicate complex legal and policy matters in an understandable, practical manner, to connect legal principles with practical actions, and to understand the unique landscape of an academic institution while providing legal advice and solutions.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Legal Officer will be responsible for undertaking the following tasks:
Giving accurate and timely legal advice on a variety of legal topics;
Drafting, negotiating and reviewing various agreements, commercial contracts and other legal documents;
Managing the University’s litigation, coordinating with external legal counsel and devising appropriate legal strategies;
Managing internal legal processes and and advising on institutional risks related to legal and policy matters;
Updating and reviewing existing internal policies and formulating and implementing new regulations or policies as necessary;
Drafting, reviewing and finalizing necessary briefs, notices, replies, legal advice on RTIs, and policy documents;
Communicating and negotiating with external parties including regulatory authorities, government departments and other third parties;
Providing clarifications on legal language or applicable law;
Staying up-to-date with changes to legislation, particularly in relation to laws, rules and regulations at the University.
Qualifications, Experience and Skills
Essential Qualifications
(i) A degree in law from a reputed university
(ii) Professional license to practice law
Desirable Qualifications
(i) Post graduate degree in law
Essential Experience
(i) Four (4+) years of post-qualification experience
Desirable Experience
(i) Experience as an in-house legal counsel or litigation experience is desirable
Skills
An ability to present well-reasoned options and solutions and influence leaders to come to decisions
Strong drafting and communication skills
Integrity, professionalism and an eye for detail
Strong presentation and time management skills
Must be able to multitask and work well under pressure
Ability to work effectively and constructively as part of a team
Compensation
Salary will be commensurate to the candidate’s educational background, qualifications, and relevant experience.
How to Apply?
Please fill this application form and include the following documents:
An updated CV
A short statement outlining your interest in working with us and why you would be a good fit for the role (not more than 500 words)
Details of two referees with contact details.
Deadline
Interested candidates may apply by filling out the form.
The first round of reviews will take place on April 3, 2025 (5 pm).
The second round of reviews will take place on April 11, 2025 (5 pm).
Applications received shall be considered on a rolling basis.
NLSIU is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our institution.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Legal Services Clinic (LSC), a student run committee at NLSIU, released the updated edition of the “Be A Durga” handbook in collaboration with Durga India (a not-for-profit organisation) on March 8, 2025. Designed as an accessible and practical legal resource, the handbook aims to equip women with the knowledge and tools needed to understand, navigate, and assert their rights in the face of gender-based violence.
This initiative would not have been possible without the invaluable partnership with Durga India, led by Priya Varadarajan, whose insights and expertise were instrumental throughout the project.
With temperatures soaring in the city, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) continues to take measures to utilise its water resources sustainably and efficiently.
The National Law School of India University’s 
Themes
Maps of Memory reimagined archives as living spaces of interpretation and storytelling. It invited audiences to reflect not only on the past but also on the act of remembering itself—and the forms that justice, friendship, and solidarity can take in our present.
The