At NLSIU, we believe that the strength of a nation’s legal education begins in the classroom—and with the teachers who shape it every day. As an institution that recognises its responsibility to give back and uplift the wider academic community, we are committed to fostering collaboration, shared learning, and reflective pedagogy across law schools in India.
With this spirit, we have launched the Faculty Development Workshop Series, an initiative to support faculty in enhancing teaching practice and building a stronger, more connected academic ecosystem.
The inaugural workshop, Teaching Criminal Law: Curriculum, Syllabus & Pedagogy, was held on November 15–16, 2025 in collaboration with the Centre for Asian Legal Studies, Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore (NUS). The two-day programme brought together leading criminal law academics — Mrinal Satish, Stanley Yeo, Wing-Cheong Chan, Michael Hor, Ronnakorn Bunmee and Kunal Ambasta, and faculty participants from universities across India. Structured across nine thematic sessions, the workshop integrated panel discussions, expert lectures, and collaborative breakout reflections. Subject-focussed sessions covered Fault and Physical Elements of Crime, Extensions of Criminal Liability, Defences, and Selected Offences. The programme also developed a proposed syllabus framework for teaching substantive criminal law and generated contributions to the NLSIU Textbook Companion Project.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. (Dr.) Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice-Chancellor, National Law School of India University (NLSIU) highlighted the importance of strengthening faculty development to shape the future of legal education, noting that this workshop marks the first chapter of a long-term initiative to connect and support multiple teaching communities nationwide. The series will expand into other foundational areas of law in the chapters ahead.
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for five full-time (contractual role) Research Associates to work on the project titled “Reforms in the Military Justice System”. The position is for six months and will be based in Bengaluru.
The project is sponsored by the Institute of Military Law under the supervision of Army Training Command (ARTRAC) of the Indian Army.
About the Project
The project aims to assess and review the existing military justice system in India and identify scope for reforms. To this broad end, the study will review the legal framework governing the military justice system in India, evaluate the effectiveness of internal disciplinary procedures, assess the integration of technology and explore the use of alternate dispute resolution mechanisms for military justice. The project will further draw lessons from best practices in global military justice systems. NLS will submit a comprehensive report with targeted legal and policy recommendations.
A team of faculty members at NLSIU are steering the project.
Role Description
Research associates will work under the direct supervision of the faculty Project Leads and will be responsible for the following tasks:
Collation and analysis of relevant provisions in laws, regulations, and/or manuals on military justice system in India
Assist with collation, tabulation and analysis of select case studies based on agreed themes and parameters
Assist with finalising questionnaire for conducting stakeholder interviews as required
Comparative research on the legal framework of military justice systems in select other jurisdictions and review of ongoing reform initiatives
Assist in organising meetings, consultations and interviews with stakeholders as required
Ensure systematic record and documentation of all project-related meetings, interviews, consultations and other activities
Maintain monthly progress reports on the assigned task under the project
Publish 1-2 short form pieces including blogs, policy briefs, and/or legal commentaries for the NLS Scholarship
Repository on individual research areas of focus (in addition to the project work)
Participating in intellectual activities on campus as required
Qualifications
Essential
BALLB/LLB or a Master’s degree in social sciences, public policy, or allied disciplines
Desirable
Demonstrable academic interest in issues related to criminal justice, legal system reform, integration of technology in justice administration, comparative legal research and/or ADR in the context of justice administration
Training in research methodology
Experience
Essential
At least 1 year of post-qualification experience in legal and policy research (universities; research institutes; think tanks; civil society organisations)
Desirable
Familiarity with issues related to justice administration, legal system reform, military law and justice administration, and/or technology and legal systems.
At least one published work (solo-authored or co-authored) in the past six months in the form of legal commentary, research report, policy document and/or other such related publication.
Prior experience of being part of research projects and engaging with relevant stakeholders.
Experience of contributing to research publications.
Experience in project coordination roles within a research team.
Skills and Competencies
Excellent communication and writing skills
Strong execution rigour and operational skills
Strong presentation and time management skills
Competency in quantitative data analysis
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)
Details of two professional references
A sole-authored writing sample of 2,500 words
Compensation
Salary will be commensurate with qualification and experience and will be in the range of Rs. 50,000 – Rs 60,000 per month.
For any queries, please write to
Deadline
The last date for submission of applications has been extended to December 19, 2025 (5 PM IST).
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), invites applications for one full-time (contractual) role in Centre for Child and the Law (CCL) for a period of one year (extendable based on performance), based in Bengaluru.
About the Centre for Child and the Law (CCL)
The Centre for Child and the Law (CCL) is a specialised multi-disciplinary research centre of NLSIU. CCL integrates research, direct field action, and teaching on various aspects related to child rights law. CCL uses law and adopts socio-legal strategies as tools for transformative social change to enable children to live with dignity. Our aim is to ensure social justice, human rights and quality of life for all children in India, with special focus on food and nutrition security, equitable quality education, care, protection and justice for marginalised and excluded children.
About the Role
This is a full-time position based out of the NLSIU campus in Bengaluru. This role requires assisting on ongoing socio-legal and policy research, training and advocacy initiatives of the Centre for child and the Law, primarily under the theme of right to food and nutrition. The person will work closely with other colleagues at CCL.
Responsibilities
Undertake policy research on the issue associated with food security and child rights.
Support ongoing research through development of tools for data collection, analysis.
Write research reports based on qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Support multi-stakeholder engagement as part of CCL’ work on supporting relevant state departments.
Assistance in developing modules for training conducted by CCL, and ensure quality and rigour of the training programmes.
Publish high quality research papers in peer reviewed journals and contribute to NLS blogs and other such platforms.
Support in organising events and facilitating discussions with stakeholders
Any other related tasks to support the ongoing work CCL.
Who Should Apply?
Qualifications
Essential: Bachelor’s degree in Law
Desirable: Master’s degree in Law, and social science or related field.
Experience
Essential: Candidates with 1 to 3 years of work experience with focus on policy/socio-legal research.
Desirable: Experience of working in social development sector in research or training roles
Skills and Competencies
Essential:
Demonstrated skills in generating quality research reports.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Ability to think and work logically and work precisely with attention to detail.
Willing to travel within and outside Karnataka
Desirable:
Excellent planning and prioritisation skills.
Ability to work in a team, contributing to both team and individual goals.
Good communication, organising and time management skills.
Experience in drafting will be an advantage.
How to Apply?
Please use the Google form available here, and include the following documents:
An updated CV
A statement of purpose (500 – 800 words).
One sole authored writing sample – published/unpublished
Details of two professional references
For any queries, please write to
Compensation
Salary will be commensurate with qualification and experience and will be in the range of Rs. 45,000 – 55,000 per month.
Deadline
The last date for submission of applications has been extended to December 19, 2025 (5 PM IST).
NLSIU is conducting live information sessions during December 2025 on the NLS BA (Hons.), the 3-Year LL.B. (Hons.), and the Master’s Programme in Public Policy (MPP) programmes. These online sessions will provide information about the University, the structure of the respective programmes and the application process.
Here are the details of the sessions (in order of the upcoming events):
3-Year LL.B. (Hons.)
December 13, 2025 | 5 PM – 6 PM Speakers: 1. Sanyukta Chowdhury, LLB (Hons) Chair and Assistant Professor of Law, NLSIU
2. Dr. Rahul Hemrajani, LLB (Hons) Vice-Chair and Assistant Professor of Law, NLSIU
December 18, 2025 | 6 PM – 7 PM Speakers:
1. Dr. Srikrishna Ayyangar, MPP Chair and Associate Professor, Social Science, NLSIU
2. Dr. Devyani Pande, MPP Vice-Chair and Assistant Professor, Public Policy. NLSIU
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, invites quotations from eligible (individuals/firms/companies/establishments) for the appointment of service provider ‘for Physical Verification of Fixed Assets, Asset Tagging and Automation with Existing Accounting ERP.’ Interested parties are requested to submit their quotations in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined below:
Date of Issue of Quotation: November 18, 2025
RFP Submission Date: November 28, 2025 up to 5 PM
Bid Opening Date: December 1, 2025
Presentation by shortlisted bidders: Will be intimated, if required by the University
Please refer to the scope of work and other terms and conditions in the official notification here.
For any queries, contact Mr. Rajesh Kumar Behara at +91 9164909109 or
NLSIU was the first National Law University established in India in 1986. The premier law school was set up with a mission to pioneer legal education reforms and to anchor the transformation of the Indian legal system through research and policy interventions.
We pioneered the five-year BA LLB (Hons) programme in 1988. We also offer a Master’s in Laws, Master’s in Public Policy, and PhD programme. In 2022 we launched a new three-year LLB (Hons) programme. In 2025, we admitted the first cohort of the NLS BA (Hons) programme, India’s first BA (Honours) programme by a professional law university. And for over 35 years now, the University has irrefutably remained a leader in the field of legal education in the country.
NLSIU holds the top ranking in India for law programmes, consistently securing the #1 spot in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and various private ranking systems, for multiple consecutive years, including 2024 and 2025.
The University invites applications from accomplished, committed, and dynamic individuals for the following positions. Please click on the titles to view the official notifications of each position with roles and responsibilities.
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for one full-time Research Associate position to work on the project titled “Bus, benefits and beyond: A comprehensive study of transport equity through Karnataka’s Shakti Scheme” project. The position is up to August 2026 from the date of joining and will be based on campus in Bengaluru, with some time spent on fieldwork in four field sites of Karnataka (Mysuru, Hubballi, Karwar, Kalaburgi).
The project is the recipient of Directorate of Urban Land Transport, Urban Development Department, Govt of Karnataka’s annual research program, ASPIRE(ASPIRE-02/2025), that aims at conducting studies for identified priority research areas in the field of urban mobility, in collaboration with Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). The Research Associate will report to the project’s co-investigator, Dr. Vijayamba R, who is faculty at NLSIU.
About the Project
The Shakti scheme of the Karnataka government is a new addition to a long list of cities implementing fare-free public transport (FFPT). This project will evaluate the Shakti scheme both from a demand (user) perspective and a supply (transport personnel) perspective. In the first phase of studying user perspective, apart from the obvious affordability component of the Shakti scheme, this project will employ the 4As framework (accessibility, availability, acceptability and affordability) to understand their experiences comprehensively. In the second phase, the study will focus on the supply (transport personnel) perspective through focus group discussions at bus depots and related offices. Through these two phases, the study will capture the scheme’s invisible, unaccounted and disparate impact on bus users and society at large.
The study will adopt a mixed methods approach with both quantitative methods with structured, in-person, researcher-administered surveys. Qualitative methods using in-depth interviews for a purposive sample will be administered to understand the experiences of access and barriers in detail and their perceptions about the scheme. Focus group discussion will be conducted to understand the range of perceptions, opinions and experiences of transport personnel. The outputs of the project include capacity building, workshops for research personnel, analysis, popular media pieces and reports.
Role description
The Research Associate will be responsible for:
Assisting in undertaking literature reviews in a combination of fields of transport studies, feminist studies and urban studies;
Preparation of quantitative survey tools;
Collection of survey data from the field sites;
Entry of the survey data;
Analysis of the survey data;
Attending periodic team meetings organised by Principal Investigators and Co Investigators ;
Write short-form articles and commentaries for the NLS repository under the guidance of the project CI; and,
Any other tasks as required
Qualifications
Essential
Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies or any other allied discipline
Proficiency in spoken and written Kannada to collect data on field
Desirable
Academic background in urban, gender studies, mobilities research or cognate fields
Working knowledge of MS Excel, STATA or an equivalent software package to analyse quantitative data
Experience
Essential
At least 1 year of research experience post Master’s degree in the broad domain of development.
Desirable
Familiarity with academic debates on the topics of schemes of distributive justice and livelihoods
Prior experience of conducting fieldwork in research cities and engaging with relevant stakeholders
Experience in project coordination roles within a research team
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) indicating your interest and suitability for the position
Contact details and designation of two professional references
Suitable candidates will be called for an interview after the initial screening.
Compensation
Salary will be up to Rs 40,000 per month commensurate with the candidate’s experience.
For any queries, please write to
Deadline
The last date for submission of applications has been extended to December 15, 2025 by 5 pm (IST).
We congratulate our student Manhar Bansal, a final year student of the 5-year BA LLB (Hons) programme for receiving the Rhodes Scholarship for 2026!
Image source: Rhodes Trust Press Release
Six Rhodes Scholars-Elect for India 2026 have been selected this year, marking the culmination of a rigorous national selection process.
Manhar joins the list of 26 NLSIU scholars who’ve been awarded the Rhodes Scholarship so far (including this year). He will be heading to the University of Oxford in October 2026 to join a cohort of more than 100 scholars from around the world to undertake fully funded post-graduate studies and become part of a strong community of people determined to make a positive difference in the world.
In an official statement, Professor Sir Rick Trainor, CEO of the Rhodes Trust, said: “The Rhodes Trust is delighted to introduce the extraordinary 2026 Class of Rhodes Scholars Elect who represent cultures and perspectives from every corner of the world. For more than a century, the Rhodes Trust has brought exceptional individuals to Oxford and fostered a vibrant global community. We eagerly anticipate the invaluable contributions these Scholars will make, not just during their studies, but throughout their lives as they join the community of Rhodes Scholar alumni who are creating a more equitable and sustainable future for the world.
The Trust is committed to ensuring that the world’s diversity of background and thought is reflected at Rhodes House, which has expanded the Rhodes Scholarship to include the Global Scholarships and new constituencies in recent years, including West Africa, East Africa, China, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon & Palestine and the United Arab Emirates.”
About Manhar Bansal
Hailing from Muktsar, Punjab, Manhar Bansal is a final year BA LLB (Hons) student at NLSIU, Bengaluru with an interdisciplinary focus in philosophy and literature. In his words, “his work seeks to theorise the possibility of a human self that is attuned but not reducible to its socio-historical specificities.” His academic writing has been published in multiple venues and has received recognition by the Society for Humanistic Anthropology and the South Asian Studies Association of Australia. At NLSIU, he served as the chief editor of a student journal, headed a student-led academic support programme, and co-convened a theory reading group. He has also been learning French, writes for his public newsletter, and enjoys dancing and swimming. Manhar aspires to a public-facing academic career with the aim of introducing humanistic education to young people. At Oxford, he intends to pursue the MSt in Comparative Literature and Critical Translation.
Reflecting on his scholarship, Manhar said: “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to receive the Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford which will allow me to develop my academic and intellectual interests. I want to study literature and philosophy at Oxford. NLS has been an increasingly interdisciplinary University, and my degree is not just in the law but also the social sciences and the humanities. First year onwards, as I sat in the classrooms, I understood the expanse of possibilities which humanities offers; it allows you to contemplate the human condition, in all its terror and beauty, and that’s what draws me to it. NLS has been the most transformational four years so far of my life – both inside and outside the classroom – of learning about yourself, about the world, and what you didn’t know existed.
Among the many people I’d like to thank, I would like to mention Dr. Atreyee Majumder, Dr. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, and Dr. Samyak Ghosh from NLSIU; my schoolteacher Ms. Swati Verma, and my French teacher Ms. Vibha GK for supporting my application. I also want to thank other faculty at NLS for their time and encouragement.”
We wish Manhar the very best for his academic journey ahead!
About the Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship is the world’s preeminent and oldest graduate fellowship since 1903, and is awarded by the Rhodes Trust, an educational charity based at the University of Oxford. The Scholarships for India began in 1947 and have been awarded to five outstanding applicants each year.
After a competitive application process and two rounds of preliminary interviews, shortlisted finalists were interviewed and six were chosen to receive the prestigious scholarships for 2026. This includes a sixth scholarship this year – ‘Rhodes Scholarship for India in partnership with the Radhakrishnan-Rajan Family.’
“Students from anywhere in the world can apply for a Rhodes Scholarship and many find that taking part in our rigorous selection is a profoundly positive experience which leaves them well placed to go on to a Rhodes Scholarship or other opportunities worldwide. The Rhodes selection process aims to choose young people with proven academic excellence who also show exceptional character, leadership, the energy to use their talents to the full and a commitment to solving humanity’s challenges. The selection process includes a rigorous review process before the finalists’ interview with a selection committee composed of renowned experts and leaders in diverse fields.
Rhodes Scholars form a lifelong community of people in many fields and careers, united by a commitment to having a positive impact on the world. Scholars from India have gone on to pursue careers ranging from public policy, literature, law, medicine, scientific research, etc. This year’s winners continue the fantastic legacy of excellence.,” said an official statement from the Rhodes Trust.
The applications for the 2027 Rhodes Scholarships will open in June 2026. More information about the Scholarship application can be found at: www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/apply.
The official press release from the Rhodes Trust is available here.
Representatives from the Centre for Child and the Law (CCL), National Law School of India University, Bengaluru — Akshaya P and Aditi Thakur — participated as resource persons in the National Consultation on “12 Years of NFSA: Reflecting on Implementation, Exclusion, and the Future of Food Rights,” organised by the Centre for Tribal Studies, National Law University (NLU) Odisha, on September 20 and 21, 2025. The consultation brought together experts, practitioners, and scholars from across the country to share their experiences and chart the way forward for advancing the implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
The CCL team delivered a presentation on “The Role of Delegated Legislation in the Implementation of NFSA,” highlighting the importance of delegated legislation in realising the objectives of the NFSA, 2013. The presentation reflected on the challenges and experiences in framing comprehensive state rules, reviewed progress made across different states, and examined gaps in the Odisha Food Security Rules. The session concluded with suggestions to strengthen the state’s legal framework to enhance accountability and ensure effective implementation of the NFSA. The representation drew from the ongoing research on the importance of subordinate legislation in realisation of the right to food in different states in the country.
NLSIU is hosting two guest lectures by Prof. Stanley Yeo, Visiting Professor, National University of Singapore (NUS) at the NLS campus on November 13 and 14, 2025. Details of both talks are provided below.
Conjuring Criminal Law on the good ship “The IPC” | Nov 13, 2025
Room 204, New Academic Block | 4 pm – 5.30 pm This talk is primarily for faculty and researchers, but is open to other members of the NLS community.
Abstract: Professor Stanley Yeo will share his personal journey as a legal academic from a young inexperienced lecturer in the early 1980s to the present day as a visiting research professor at the National University of Singapore. He will show how his teaching and research of the Indian Penal Code (“IPC”) has borne much fruit over the years, both in terms of personal satisfaction as a teacher, and witnessing the impact of his research on legal change. Stanley will highlight some lessons from his long academic career with the aim of benefitting his listeners. This lecture will be directed as much to law students as to emerging academics and researchers, and anyone who may be curious to know what legal academics in their ivory towers think and do in their working lives.
Influences on Criminal Law and its Reform in Asia | Friday, November 14
Room 104, New Academic Block, NLSIU | 4 pm – 5.30 pm This talk is primarily aimed at students but is open to other members of the NLS community.
Abstract: In this lecture, Professor Stanley Yeo will draw on his expansive knowledge and experience accumulated over four decades to describe three significant areas impacting the criminal law and its reform in the Asian region. They are the continuing influence of Western concepts of criminal responsibility; the influence of legal scholarship on the development of criminal law; and the development of a shared Asian criminal jurisprudence. The lecture will encourage listeners to acknowledge the value of 19th century colonial roots of the criminal law in our country and broader region; to appreciate the vital role that legal scholarship can play in bringing the criminal law into the 21st century; and to explore the prospects of fostering a shared criminal jurisprudence in our region.
About the Speaker
Stanley Yeo is a visiting scholar at the Centre for Asian Legal Studies, National University of Singapore. He has made legal academia his life-long career spanning over 40 years during which time he has held permanent positions at law schools in Australia and Singapore, and short term visitorships to law schools in Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, Bhutan and India. He has published extensively in the fields of criminal law and criminal justice, with special leaning towards comparative criminal law. He has served as a consultant to law commissions in Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
At NLSIU, we believe that the strength of a nation’s legal education begins in the classroom—and with the teachers who shape it every day. As an institution that recognises its responsibility to give back and uplift the wider academic community, we are committed to fostering collaboration, shared learning, and reflective pedagogy across law schools in India.
Hailing from Muktsar, Punjab, 
