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Socio-Legal Review’s Latest Issue is Out Now: Volume 20(1)

The Editorial Board of the Socio-Legal Review (SLR) is delighted to share the publication of their latest issue: Volume 20(1).

The Socio-Legal Review (SLR) is a student-run, double blind peer-reviewed journal, of NLSIU. SLR enters its twentieth year of publication with this Volume. This important milestone galvanised the Editorial Board 2023- 24 to not only build on the two decades of foundational insight and work that has gone into the making of the Journal, but also rethink and experiment. This year, in conversations with the Faculty Board, the editorial board revised their Aims and Scope to more clearly emphasise the interdisciplinary thrust of the Journal, welcoming research that “critically enquires into the intersections between the law and the social sciences, especially in the South Asian context.”

Volume 20(1) demonstrates this push toward interdisciplinarity through the sheer diversity of its authorship, methods, problems, and form. The six contributions in this Issue bring together insights from science and technology studies, legal history and writing pedagogy, empirical social sciences and philosophy, ethnographic fieldwork, queer and gender studies, and political theory to examine real questions concerning the world today—from data governance to higher education, legal reform to forest rights, marriage equality to constitutional democracy. We hope that the Issue demonstrates how interdisciplinarity, when done well, can enrich our study of the law and indeed, of the world at large.

You can access the full Issue here.

Call for Papers | Indian Journal of Law and Technology (Volume 21)

The Editorial Board of the Indian Journal of Law and Technology (IJLT) for 2024-25 is inviting original and unpublished submissions for Volume 21 of the Journal and the IJLT Blog, on a rolling basis. The previous volumes of the Journal can be found here.

About IJLT

IJLT is a student-run, peer-reviewed law journal published annually by the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru. IJLT is widely read and is available internationally on databases such as Westlaw, HeinOnline, UGC CARE, Legal Information Institute of India, SCC Online, and Manupatra. IJLT is also the first and pioneering law journal in India devoted exclusively to the interface of law and
technology.

Previous issues have featured articles by distinguished authors such as Jonathan Zittrain (Harvard Law School), Yochai Benkler (Author of “The Wealth of Networks”), Justice Michael Kirby (High Court of Australia), Justice Pratibha Singh (Judge, Delhi High Court), Justice (Retd.) S Muralidhar (Chief Justice, Orissa High Court), Professor Stephen Hobe (International Institute of Space Law), Eben Moglen (Founder, Software Freedom Law Center), Elonnai Hickok (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Dr. Carolyn Johnston (University of Melbourne), Tina van der Linden (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), Peter Alexiadis (Visiting Professor, King’s College of Law), Deirdre Ahern (Professor of Law, Trinity College Dublin), Subhajit Basu (Professor of Law, University of Leeds), and the late Prof. Shamnad Basheer (Founder, SpicyIP).

IJLT has the distinction of being cited in the Reports of the MeitY’s Committee of Experts on a Data Protection Framework for India, the MCA Committee on Digital Competition Law, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, the US International Trade Commission (USITC), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the European Union Bodies, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

IJLT’s Mandate

IJLT welcomes submissions that demonstrate a strong connection between technology and law. The journal publishes scholarly work in diverse areas, including intellectual property rights, internet governance, information and communication technologies, privacy rights, digital freedoms, openness, telecommunications policy, media law, innovation, and civil liberties in the context of technology. Additionally, IJLT emphasizes perspectives on contemporary issues at the intersection of law, technology, industry, and policy.

Categories of Submissions

1. Articles: 5000-12000 words
2. Essays: 3000-5000 words
3. Case Notes, Legislative Comments, Book/Article Reviews: 2000-5000 words

Submission Guidelines

1. Format of Document: Please ensure that your submission is made as a Microsoft Word document (.docx).
2. References: Citations must conform to the 4th edition of the Oxford University Standard for the Citation of Legal Authorities (OSCOLA).
3. Need for Abstract: An abstract (not more than 250 words) must be submitted, concurrently with the manuscript.
4. Exclusivity of Submissions: Submissions made to IJLT must be on an exclusive basis and not be under concurrent consideration by any other academic or non-academic publication.
5. Co-authorship: Co-authorship (up to a maximum of 3 authors) is permitted.
6. No personal information in the Manuscript: Submitted manuscripts must not contain any biographical information regarding the authors, such as names, institutional affiliations, acknowledgments, etc.
7. Submission process: To submit your manuscript, kindly visit the IJLT Digital Commons Repository. For further instructions and clarifications for submissions on this platform, kindly refer to this guide.

IJLT Blog

The Blog is a parallel initiative by the IJLT to publish scholarly, but concise, articles in the area of technology law and accepts articles ranging between 1500-2500 words.

Categories of Submissions

1. Responses to previously published IJLT articles or blog posts.
2. Comments on contemporary legal developments (e.g., recent judgments, legislative changes).
3. Reviews of recent books related to law and technology.

Submission Guidelines

1. Word count: 1,500–2,500 words (flexible based on quality).
2. Format: Please ensure that your submission is made as a Microsoft Word document (.docx).
3. References: Use hyperlinks for references and open-access sources are preferred. Minimal footnoting is allowed.
4. Co-authorship: Co-authorship (up to a maximum of 2 authors) is permitted.
5. Submission process: Kindly submit the manuscript via this form.

In case of any queries or concerns regarding the journal, please contact us at or visit our website.

Eight-Day Research Methodology Course in Social Science | Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion, NLSIU & Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Research Institute

The Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion (CSSI) at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Research Institute, Department of Social Welfare, Government of Karnataka, organised an eight-day research methodology course in social science from February 5 to 12, 2025 at the NLSIU campus.

The programme was designed for PhD scholars, researchers, and think tanks from various universities in the state. The diverse group of 50 scholars were selected from across 18 universities in Karnataka, with priority to scholars from SC/ST, OBC categories and women PhD scholars.

Workshop Coordinator:
Dr. R.V. Chandrashekar,
Research Assistant,
Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion (CSSI), NLSIU

Aim of the course

Research is an integral part of the growth and expansion of social sciences. Its importance is enhanced much more in a modern, globalised society where development has attained additional dimensions. Social science research faces a challenge to thoroughly equip itself to meet the ever growing needs of the society that is transforming at a rapid pace. Often, demarcations (into rural, urban, caste, gender, etc.) are blurred by the advancement in technology and changing socio-economic scenarios. Societal problems are assuming wide-ranging complexities and under these circumstances, it becomes imperative to approach research from a preliminary and systematic understanding of the methods in social science research since the methods have also expanded enormously in their scope and application over a period of time.

Focus of the course

Research methodology, a critical component of training for any social science research programme, seldom receives the attention it deserves in most academic institutions in India. Methodologies are often conflated with methods and techniques of data analyses, with limited understanding of the epistemological frameworks or logic underlying various techniques and methods. Even among techniques, quantitative methods are over-privileged as more scientific, Social sciences are also increasingly drawing on developments in natural sciences and technology studies to enhance their explanatory domain. All of this has strengthened the scope for trans-disciplinary dialogue and research integrating perspectives and tools from varied disciplines.

Content of the course

Nature of knowledge and theory: theoretical approaches to social science research.
The art of doing research: selection of a research problem, research design, formulating hypotheses and indicators, and methods of sampling and inference.
Statistics and econometrics with hands-on experiences.
Qualitative and quantitative methods; ethnographic studies; case studies; new advances in methods of social science research.
Ethical and gender issues in social science research; Action research.
Interpreting research;
Consolidation of research findings, research report and dissemination
Exposure of statistical packages like SPSS, STATA etc.

Additionally, the course also explored the converse enumerate scientific method and its basic postulates, data analysis, basic tools in SPSS, qualities of good research, steps in conducting research, ethics of research, types of research, and research design.

Reflections from the course

The course was attended by 50 researchers from socially disadvantaged communities who gained knowledge on the importance of quality research and its benefits.

Skilled resource persons participated in the eight-day course to demonstrate research problems and how and when to use different technologies, how to conduct analyses, how to use library and internet information in research, how to write reports, and the importance of interdisciplinary studies.

The participating scholars expressed that courses like these should be conducted at all the universities in Karnataka as research would benefit from the training. The participants discussed the need for conducting such training courses for research mentors and that at least two such sessions should be organised at the state level each year.

Inauguration

The course was inaugurated on February 5, 2025, by Sri N.C. Muniyappa IAS (Retd), Former Chief Secretary, Karnataka. He shared his life experiences and the challenges he faced during his student life, motivating the participating research scholars through his own stories as a junior research fellow (JRF). He also spoke about his journey as a scientist in the agriculture department, before his work as an IAS officer in various departments in the state of Karnataka.

The presidential remarks were delivered by Prof. Babu Mathew, Director, Centre for Labour Studies at NLSIU.

Valedictory

The course ended with a valedictory ceremony on February 12, 2025. The valedictory speech was delivered by Dr. E. Venkataiah, IAS (Retd.), SCSP/TSP Nodal Agency Advisor, Department of Social Welfare, Government of Karnataka. The chief guest for the programme was Sri Rajesh G. Gowda, Director of Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Research Institute.

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NLSIU Signs MoU with the Indian Corporate Law Service Academy, Manesar, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, GoI

The National Law School of India University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Corporate Law Service Academy, Manesar, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India to deliver the Post Graduate Diploma in Business and Allied Laws (PGDBAL). This programme will be delivered to Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS) officers, trainees, probationers and in-service, as part of their professional training.

The MoU was entered into at the NLSIU in the presence of Mrs. Monika Gupta, Joint Director, ICLS Academy, Manesar and Prof. (Dr.) N S Nigam, NLSIU’s Registrar. The MoU is aimed at conducting training programmes for the officers of Indian Corporate Law Services. This renewal of the MoU fosters the arrangement between both the institutions for a period of five years. Prof Nigam and Mrs. Monika Gupta also discussed the opportunities for deeper engagement between the University and Academy to cater to the developments of the field.

About the Programme

This programme will center around law & legal systems, commercial laws (including specialized areas of corporate law), procedural laws, economic laws, administrative law and ethics, finally leading to the conferment of Post Graduate Diploma in Business & Allied Laws (PGDBAL); this will be exclusively for its Officer Trainees while they are undergoing their ’Induction Course’ at Indian Corporate Law Services Academy (ICLS Academy), Manesar along with serving ICLS officers of Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

The programme will be open for an Officer Trainee undergoing their Induction course at ICLS ACADEMY, Manesar and In – Service ICLS Officers of Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The programme will be conducted at NLSIU, Bengaluru.

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A Conversation with Hon’ble Justice P.S. Narasimha of the Supreme Court of India | NLSIR Online

In December 2024, our students Barath Arjun and Saumitra Khullar from the National Law School of India Review (NLSIR), had a conversation with Hon’ble Justice P.S. Narasimha, Judge, Supreme Court of India, for a candid, interview-style discussion.

Barath Arjun is Editor-in-Chief, and Saumitra Khullar, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Blog, of NLSIR – a bi-annual, student edited, peer-reviewed law review published by the University.

This interview was conducted at the conclusion of the Justice E S Venkataramiah Centennial Memorial Lecture, organised by NLSIU. The conversation spans across a range of topics, including reflecting on the Constitution on its 75th anniversary, judicial interpretation, mediation in India, and fourth branch institutions. A transcript of this interview has been recently published online as part of NLSIR’s new initiative: NLSIR On Line.

Read the interview here.

About NLSIR Online

NLSIR Online is the companion blog to the NLSIR journal. Launched in 2018, it serves as a platform for concise and timely academic commentary on contemporarily relevant issues in Indian law. NLSIR Online mirrors the mandate of the journal. We welcome submissions on all areas of the law, including case comments, interdisciplinary analyses, and comparative studies.

National Conclave on ‘Implementation and Challenges of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013’

The Safai Karmachari Kavalu Samithi, Karnataka; the Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion, National Law School of India University; and Thamate (ತಮಟೆ) Centre for Rural Empowerment, and the Centre for Law & Policy Research jointly organised a two-day National Conclave on ‘Implementation and Challenges of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013,’ on February 19 and 20, 2025 at NLSIU, Bengaluru.

The Conclave which was inaugurated by Justice Nagamohan Das, retired judge of the Karnataka High Court, had a keynote address by former Rajya Sabha member Dr. L. Hanumanthaiah. Other speakers at the inaugural session were Dr. Ashwini K. P., UN Special Rapporteur, Contemporary Forums of Caste and Racism; Senior Advocate Jayna Kothari, Executive Director, Centre for Law & Policy Research; Dr. Du Saraswathi, writer, theatre person and Dalit activist; Prof. Babu Mathew, Faculty & Co-Director, Centre for Labour Studies, NLSIU and Prof. Asang Wankhede, D.Phil (Law) candidate, University of Oxford. Organisations and activists working for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers and safai karamcharis from across India participated in the Conclave, along with various other state-level organisations.

The two-day Conclave deliberated upon the recent Balram Singh v. Union of India judgment, the ongoing national survey to identify manual scavengers, the implementation of the NAMASTE scheme and Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (PEMSR) Act, 2013. The state-level organisations and South Asian Sanitation Workers and Labour Network (SASLN) in their presentations highlighted the ground realities on the existence of manual scavenging, and sewer and septic tank cleaning.

Outcome

The two-day Conclave culminated with the formation of a national-level coalition which would work to eliminate all forms of manual scavenging.

Context and Rationale

The PEMSR Act was a landmark legislation aimed at eradicating the inhuman and degrading practice of manual scavenging in India. However, more than a decade since its enactment, significant challenges persist in its full implementation. Reports indicate that manual scavenging continues in various parts of the country, often disguised under different forms of employment due to gaps in policy enforcement, lack of rehabilitation mechanisms, and deep-rooted social stigmas.

Given these persistent challenges, the formation of a national-level coalition is imperative. This coalition will act as a unified platform to streamline policy implementation, ensure accountability, facilitate knowledge-sharing, and enhance coordination between central and state governments, civil society organisations, and stakeholders working on the ground.

Objectives of the National-Level Coalition

Strengthen Policy Implementation: Identify gaps in enforcement, recommend reforms, and push for comprehensive compliance across states.
Enhance Accountability Mechanisms: Establish mechanisms for regular monitoring and transparent reporting on the implementation status of the Act.
Foster State and Central Coordination: Ensure uniformity in interpretation and execution of the law while addressing region-specific challenges.
Empower Affected Communities: Advocate for holistic rehabilitation, skill development, and livelihood programmes to support manual scavengers and their families.
Mobilise Resources: Facilitate financial support, technological interventions, and infrastructure development to eliminate manual scavenging.
Advocate for Stronger Legal Action: Push for strict legal action against violators and timely redressal mechanisms for affected individuals.
Engage Civil Society and Experts: Leverage the expertise of NGOs, activists, legal professionals, and academics to drive systemic change.

Strategic Plan for the Way Forward

1. Institutionalisation of the Coalition

Formation of a national steering committee with representatives from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, state governments, civil society organisations, and legal experts.
Establishment of state-level task forces to coordinate with the national coalition and facilitate local implementation.
Regular national and regional review meetings to assess progress and challenges.

2. Strengthening Legislative and Policy Frameworks

Urgent review of existing policies to identify implementation gaps and propose necessary amendments.
Development of a national action plan with a clear roadmap, timelines, and accountability structures.
Ensuring stringent penalties and legal action against violations of the MS Act 2013.

3. Enhancing Rehabilitation and Livelihood Opportunities

Creation of skill development programmes in collaboration with industry partners to provide alternative employment.
Expanding financial assistance and support schemes, ensuring direct benefit transfers for affected individuals.
Ensuring proper housing, healthcare, and education support for former manual scavengers and their families.

4. Deploying Technology to Eliminate Manual Scavenging

Promotion and scaling of mechanised cleaning solutions across urban and rural areas.
Government subsidies and incentives for local bodies to procure and utilise mechanised cleaning equipment.
Establishing monitoring dashboards for real-time tracking of implementation and grievance redressal.

5. Advocacy and Social Awareness

National and state-level campaigns to challenge the stigma around manual scavenging and its affected communities.
Media partnerships to highlight success stories and expose violations of the law.
Engagement of religious, cultural, and community leaders to shift societal perceptions and ensure dignity for rehabilitated individuals.

6. Ensuring Data Transparency and Accountability

Development of a national database to track affected individuals, their rehabilitation status, and ongoing legal actions.
Annual status reports to be presented before the Parliament and state Assemblies.
Strengthening of independent monitoring bodies with active civil society representation.

Conclusion

The formation of a national-level coalition is not just a strategic necessity but a moral imperative to uphold the dignity and rights of those affected by manual scavenging. By ensuring a multi-stakeholder, rights-based approach, this coalition will serve as a powerful force in eliminating manual scavenging and ensuring the full realisation of the objectives outlined in the PEMSR Act 2013. The Conclave must now focus on operationalising this coalition with clear responsibilities, timelines, and measurable outcomes for each state and stakeholder.

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Request for Proposals | Reconstruction of New Academic Block at NLSIU

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) solicits proposals from qualified bidders for “Reconstruction of New Academic Block at NLSIU” in accordance with the specifications and requirements as per the notification below.

Date of Issue of Tender: 28.02.2025
Last Date for Submission of Technical and Commercial Bids: Up to 5.00 PM on 21.03.2025
Revised Last Date for Submission of Technical and Commercial Bids: Up to 5.00 PM on 28.03.2025

Note: Technical and Commercial bids should be submitted separately, in separate sealed envelopes.

For more details along with the terms and conditions, please read the following:

NLSIU’s 41st Foundation Day

On February 25, 1984, the foundation stone of NLSIU was laid by the then Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud.

Building upon the vision of its first Founder-Director Prof. N R Madhava Menon, NLSIU has come a long way in its journey – of not just reimagining legal education, but also delivering a transformative and multidisciplinary educational experience.

41 years later, we embark on an exciting large-scale expansion of the NLSIU campus in 2025 – the largest and the most intensive yet, since the University’s inception in 1986.

Through a comprehensive master plan of our campus, we look forward to developing high quality facilities, as well as fostering and strengthening a strong campus culture, and addressing the growing needs of an expanding community of students, faculty, researchers, and staff.

Down Memory Lane

The list of distinguished invitees for the foundation stone laying ceremony in 1984 included the then:

Vice-President of India, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah
Governor of Karnataka, Hon’ble Mr. A.N. Banerji
Chief Minister of Karnataka, Hon’ble Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde
Chief Justice of Karnataka, Hon’ble Mr. Justice V.S. Malimath
Chairman of BCI, Mr. Ranjit Mohanty
Sr. Advocate and Chairman elect of BCI, Mr. Biswanath Bajpayee
Managing Trustee of BCI Trust, Mr. V.R. Reddy
Sr. Advocate, Mr. Nani A. Palkhivala
Sr. Advocate and Member of BCI, Mr. Ram Jethmalani
Sr. Advocate and Member of BCI, Mr. Rajendra Singh
Director Designate of NLSIU, Prof. Upendra Baxi

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Meet Our New Staff

We are pleased to welcome Ms. Swati Sao (Manager – Academics-Administration) to the NLS community. We wish her the very best for her professional journey at NLSIU.

Ms. Swati Sao
Manager – Academics-Administration

Swati Sao is a seasoned professional in higher education management with over 15 years of experience in academic administration, programme management, and faculty coordination. In her most recent role at ISB, she ensured the seamless execution of academic operations for postgraduate modular programmes.

Her expertise includes programme execution, faculty support, student engagement, and managing partnerships with international universities such as Wharton, INSEAD, and LBS. She is also skilled in academic audits, budget planning, and forecasting.

Swati holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of Calcutta, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources from Sikkim Manipal University. She has also completed leadership and management programmes at ISB.

She can be reached at .

Call for Applications | Visiting Faculty for the BA (Hons) Programme

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for Visiting Faculty (2 positions) at NLSIU based out of the University campus on a contract basis for one term, (July to October 2025) with the possibility of extended engagement on a need basis. This position will be based in Bengaluru.

About the BA (Hons) Programme

As NLSIU develops into a multi-disciplinary university, in line with national and State education policies, the BA programme is an organic development from 35 years of experience in offering the integrated 5-year BA LLB (Hons.) programme. The NLS BA (Hons.) programme has been developed by Faculty Teams since August 2023 and approved by the Governing Bodies in 2024. This programme will offer and combine training in social sciences, humanities, and career-oriented courses in order to yield a student body that is ready for the changing character of the workforce in our times.

Role Description

The selected candidate(s) will be anchored at The Writing Centre (TWC) of the University and will be responsible for developing course curricula, teaching courses, leading tutorials on academic reading and writing, and providing individual feedback, throughout the term and in consultation with the larger teaching team at NLS.

A. Qualifications

Essential

● MA/MPhil degrees in English/ELT teaching/Linguistics or allied fields.

Desirable

● A Phd degree in English/ELT teaching/Linguistics or allied fields

B. Experience

Essential

● 2-3 years in senior high school or UG programmes at universities or in civil society organisations, training students in reading and writing;
● Ability to work closely with students;
● Attention to detail;
● Capacity to team-teach the Course.

Desirable

● Innovative approaches to teaching language skills with an emphasis on reading closely and writing clearly;
● Open to developing pedagogical methods to foster inclusive and innovative teaching.

How to apply?

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

1. An updated CV
2. A statement of purpose (1000 words).
3. Teaching Statement*
4. Teaching Plan**
5. Contact details and designation of two professional references

*Teaching Statement

Candidates must submit an 800 to 1000-word teaching statement describing their pedagogical philosophy, choices, and strategies to handle the quest for learning as well as diversity needs in the University – classroom and beyond.

**Teaching Plan

Candidates must submit a teaching plan that seeks to introduce a first-year undergraduate class of 60 students to reading and writing in an academic environment. When developing your teaching plan, candidates must keep in mind how to teach this class to students with divergent capacities in the English language.

The plan should include the following components:
1. Teaching resources used in designing the session(s).
2. A selection of possible readings for the class, accompanied by a brief explanation of your choices.
3. An in-class worksheet.
4. A detailed lesson plan.

Compensation

Salary will be commensurate with qualification and experience.
For any queries, please write to .

Deadline

The last date for submission of applications is March 20, 2025 at 5 pm.