NLSIU organised a Fire Safety Training Session for its students, faculty and staff on January 16, 2025. This is part of the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on campus. The session was planned to raise awareness and prepare members of the NLS community on how to respond effectively in case of a fire emergency.
Key Details
Fire Safety Training: This session explained the importance of Fire Safety Training with real-life examples. Participants were taught about the various types of fire, their causes, and specific prevention methods. Safety practices and fire prevention practices were introduced. This training equipped the attendees with knowledge to deal with fire-related emergencies in a calm and orderly manner.
Fire Extinguisher Usage and Other Practical Demonstrations: This practical session demonstrated the correct way to use a fire extinguisher. Multiple ways of how to help people with mobility issues evacuate a building during a fire were also demonstrated.
Q&A: Members of the community got a chance to ask questions about fire safety practices, which were answered by our fire experts.
Outcomes
Enhanced understanding of evacuation procedures and assembly locations.
Preparedness to help oneself and others in case of a fire emergency.
Emergency Resources
External: Fire and Rescue Services – 101 Emergency Response Number – 112
Internal: For any queries related to fire incidents, please reach out to Mr. Mohammad Tahir (Operations), Mr. Vimal (TCFM), and the Security Supervisors.
The University will also release a list of designated building managers who can be contacted for fire related emergencies.
The National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, invites entries for the 28ᵗʰ 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 Abhinav Ravi, National Law University Delhi for his essay on ‘The Indian Fourth Branch: Developing A New Institutional Morality.’ Read the winning essay here.
Essay topic
‘How should Indian Election Law be amended to strengthen Indian constitutional democracy?’
Eligibility
Students currently enrolled in an LL.B./B.A., LL.B./BBA, LL.B./B.Com., LL.B. 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: Extended to April 30, 2025
To submit your essay, click here. Note: There is no prior registration required as the essay has to be directly submitted through the form.
The University reserves the right to conduct interviews with selected candidates.
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.
In 2022, the University created a new position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at NLSIU to better manage and improve our infrastructure, facilities, and operations. Today, we welcome Captain K S Cariappa who joins us as Chief Operating Officer. He takes over from Mr. Shailesh Agarwal who previously held the role since 2022 and helped the University transform these functions. Mr. Shailesh will continue to maintain and improve the University’s IT infrastructure, platforms and services.
Capt. K S Cariappa is a naval veteran with over 30 years experience in operations, training, building strategic infrastructure, and driving cutting edge technology across large establishments.
Following his training at the Naval Academy, Capt.Cariappa graduated with a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from the Naval College of Engineering, Lonavala, and an MSc in Defence and Strategic Studies from the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
He has worked across various organisations of the Indian Navy, including warships and naval shipyards at Mumbai and Karwar. During his long military career, he participated in ‘Ops Vijay’ during the Kargil crisis of 1999, and ‘Ops Blossom’ which involved evacuating Indian citizens from Libya in 2011. He is a recipient of the ‘Chief of Naval Staff’ Commendation for establishing a strategic naval base on the west coast of the country.
At NLSIU, he will lead and execute all operational functions to meet the University’s evolving needs and strategic goals across a variety of its functions including infrastructure projects, estate, and facilities. He will also work in partnership with teams across the University to drive innovation and transformation within and across functions.
Outside of work, Capt. Cariappa is a passionate sports enthusiast who enjoys squash, golf, and swimming, and also holds a black belt in Karate.
We are pleased to welcome the following faculty and staff members to the NLS community. Our new joinees include Ms. Diya Deviah (Assistant Professor-Law), Mr. S Dominicraj (Assistant Manager – Operations), Ms. Anusha George (Project Assistant, QAMRA), Ms. Gauri Mahajan (Project Associate, QAMRA) and Ms. Shashikala R (Trainer, CRY Project, Centre for Child and the Law). We wish them the very best for their professional journeys at NLSIU.
Diya has previously taught at NLS from July 2022-June 2024 including courses in Legal Theory, Private Law and Philosophy, Legal Methods, Family Law, Reading, and Writing across undergraduate, graduate and PACE programmes.
She is also a founding Co-Director of The Writing Centre at NLSIU. At The Writing Centre, she collaborates on curriculum development, designs and conducts workshops and provides individualised sessions on writing for students, at The Writing Studio.
She has a deep interest in history and the politics, assumptions and limits of archival inquiry. Her interest in archives is also shaped by a commitment to cultivating an archival imagination that transcends disciplinary silos, and to public engagement with source criticism beyond the university. She is currently working on a multi-lingual, traveling exhibition on Archiving Feminist Democracies in South Asia which will launch in March 2025.
She has a BA (Hons) in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, an LLB from Jindal Global Law School, and an MPhil in Law from the University of Oxford.
Dominicraj has over seven years of professional experience in civil engineering. His portfolio includes supervising campus infrastructure maintenance, leading civil works for the Ministry of Railways, and managing projects for the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). He previously served as Estate Manager at the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru, and as Senior Executive (Civil) at the Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited—a joint venture between the Government of Karnataka and Indian Railways. He has also been instrumental in executing large-scale infrastructure projects as Executive Engineer at Italian-Thai Development Cementation India Limited, Mumbai.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s degree in Construction Engineering and Management from Anna University, Chennai.
Anusha has over two years of experience in the NGO sector. She has contributed to projects that focus on community empowerment, capability building, and social inclusion. She is passionate about working towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society, contributing to sustainable development and social protection efforts, and working towards a future where every individual has access to the opportunities they deserve.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and a Master’s degree in Labour Studies and Social Protection, both from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Guwahati.
Gauri Mahajan is a Project Associate at QAMRA. They previously worked at the Initiative for Health Equity, Advocacy, and Research (iHEAR) hosted at Sangath, where they conducted participatory, qualitative research with queer, trans, and disability communities. Gauri’s research interests include queer kinship and friendship. They are particularly interested in exploring the everyday lived experiences of queerness across diverse intersections, how support systems are navigated, and alternative systems of care are fostered.
Gauri holds a BA (Hons) in Psychology, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Studies and Research (Psychology) – both from Ashoka University.
They can be reached at .
Ms. Shashikala R, Trainer, CRY Project, Centre for Child and the Law
Shashikala’s career in education and child welfare began in 2010 when she joined the Centre for Child and the Law at NLSIU as an Assistant Village Education Coordinator under the Universalization of School Education initiative. During her tenure from 2010-2017 at CCL, she worked on implementing educational projects, particularly focusing on the field extension office at Bidadi. Shashikala worked with School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs) and Bala Vikasa Samithi, and helped organise Anganwadi training sessions. She was also involved in initiatives such as Shikshana Grama Shaba, Makasa Meetings, Samudhayadatta Shale, and monthly gatherings at schools and Anganwadis, ensuring effective community participation and development.
Shashikala has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Mysore.
NLSIU faculty member Jai Brunner led a public discussion at the Bangalore International Centre (BIC) centred on the thematic question, ‘Has the Constitution succeeded (so far)’? on January 11, 2025. The event formed a part of the BIC’s The Forum – a series of engaging discussions held at the BIC Library. In the lead up to Republic Day, this rendition of The Forum was focused on critically engaging with the Indian Constitution. The audience comprised a wide range of participants, from secondary-school students to practicing High Court litigators.
Abstract
The Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950. This session of The Forum asks the question: “Has the Constitution succeeded (so far)?” Eminent Senior Advocate Arvind Datar would say yes. In a recent talk celebrating the “Indian Constitution @ 75 Years”, he reminded us that most fledgling post-colonial states saw their experiments with democracy fail. By contrast, India’s “improbable democracy” survived the 20th Century, even in the face of existential threats.
Then, how are we to make sense of India’s current backsliding on global democracy rankings? How are we to respond to those who tell us that our fundamental rights and democratic institutions are in decline? We might worry that the Constitution is no longer fit for purpose. Yet, equally, we might see the Constitution as the only thing standing between us and tyranny. In short, is the Constitution failing us? Or, are we failing the Constitution?
Summary
During the session, Brunner engaged with questions about the Constitution’s success and failure, both by examining contemporary constitutional controversies, and attempting to place them in the historical context of India’s founding. The discussion was divided into two parts. In the first half, the audience engaged with contemporary constitutional controversies. The audience discussed State policies pertaining to issues such as citizenship or federalism, and identified how the public assesses the legitimacy of such policies through the prism of the Indian Constitution. In the second half, Brunner challenged the audience to defend why we should rely on the Constitution to assess the legitimacy of State actions. He challenged the audience to respond to classic critiques of thick constitutionalism, such as Marmor’s “dead-hand of the past” argument. The audience too pushed back, ultimately reaching the near unanimous consensus that the Indian Constitution is a living social contract, which is continuously legitimated by and through the people.
About The Forum Series
Whether you’re passionate about current events, social issues, or cultural topics, The Forum at BIC provides a platform for open dialogue and thoughtful exchange of ideas. Inspired by the ancient Roman forums, where citizens gathered to discuss and debate the issues of the day, these sessions aim to revive this tradition of community dialogue. Its goal is to bring together individuals from all walks of life, ages 15 to 50, to discuss topics of importance in a setting that is both informed and informal.
NLSIU is hosting a Campus Visit Day for prospective NLSAT-BA (Hons.) candidates on Saturday, February 8, 2025. This event is open to anyone interested in applying for the NLS BA (Hons.) programme for the academic year 2025-26. It offers a unique opportunity to:
Attend demo classes in History, Politics, Economics, and Sociology & Anthropology, conducted by NLSIU faculty.
Interact with members of the NLS community and gain insights into university life.
Explore the NLSIU campus through a guided campus tour.
Parents or guardians are welcome to accompany applicants. Registration for the campus visit is mandatory. The schedule for the campus visit will be shared with registered attendees before the event.
Login to the application portal nlsatadmissions.nls.ac.in to access the campus visit form and register!
📅 Deadline for registration: February 1, 2025 (11:59 PM)
To know more about the programme, visit the BA (Hons) page on our website.
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) solicits proposals from qualified bidders for “Reconstruction of Old Academic Block at NLSIU” in accordance with the specifications and requirements as per the notification below.
Date of Issue of Tender: 10.01. 2025
Last Date for Submission of Technical and Commercial Bids: Up to 5.00 PM on 31.01.2025
Revised Last Date for Submission of Technical and Commercial Bids: Up to 5.00 PM on 07.02.2025 (Refer to Addendum-1 attached below)
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:
The National Law School of India University (“NLSIU”) established under the National Law School of India Act, 1986, invites email quotations from eligible contractors for ‘Roofing Work at NLSIU Library.’
Date of Issue of Quotation: 10.01.2025
Last Date for Submission: Up to 5 PM on 20.01.2025
Please read the terms and conditions in the official notification here.
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for the following full-time roles in the new Training Programme in collaboration with the Bengaluru City Police Training (BCPT) project at the Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) department at NLSIU: Training Manager (1 position) and Content Lead (1 position).
This programme will conduct training for all personnel belonging to the BCP on issues of gender and gender-based violence. It will also include a training and awareness programme for members of the public to address violence against women in public spaces under the “Active Bystander Initiative”. NLSIU will collaborate with civil society organisations in the delivery of these programmes. This role is based out of the University campus in Bangalore. It is till December 2025 and may be extended subject to extension of the project and availability of funds.
About the Professional and Continuing Education (PACE)
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.
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.
I. Training Manager
Role description
The Training Manager will work closely with the Co-Director, PACE and Project Coordinator. Specifically, the Training Manager will be responsible for:
Plan and execute the training schedule over the project.
Coordinate with all relevant stakeholders, including civil society organisations and police personnel in the execution of the training schedule
Any other task that may be assigned by the department.
A. Qualifications
Essential
LLB degree or graduate degree in the social sciences or humanities.
Experience in working with a variety of stakeholders in the execution of a programme.
Desirable
An advanced degree in the social sciences or humanities will be preferred.
B. Experience
Essential
2 – 3 years of post-qualification experience. Candidates with relevant work experience in
gender-related training will be preferred.
Strong attention to detail and time-management skills.
A proven ability to collaborate with varied stakeholders.
Desirable
Candidates with reading, writing and speaking knowledge of Kannada will be preferred.
Experience in funded training programmes.
C. Skills and Competencies
Excellent communication and writing skills.
Strong execution rigour and operational skills.
Strong presentation and time management skills.
How to apply?
Please use the Google form here, and include the following documents:
An updated CV.
A statement of purpose (500 – 800 words).
Contact details and designation of two professional references.
Compensation
Salary will be commensurate with qualification and experience and will be in the range of Rs. 40,000–50,000 per month.
Deadline
The last date for submission of applications is January 30, 2025 at 5 pm.
II. Content Lead
Role description
The Content Lead will work closely with the Co-Director, PACE and Project Coordinator. Specifically, the Content Lead will be responsible for:
Responsible for overall content development for the training programme.
Responsible for design, production and translation of training content.
Gather and incorporate inputs on content from experts in relevant fields and revise the content.
Any other task that may be assigned by the department.
A. Qualifications
Essential
LLB degree.
Desirable
An advanced degree will be preferred.
B. Experience
Essential
1 – 3 years of post-qualification experience. Candidates with relevant work experience in the
project sector (e.g. criminal justice, gender sensitisation, or police training) will be preferred.
A proven ability to collaborate with varied stakeholders.
Strong attention to detail and time-management skills.
Strong reporting and writing abilities.
Desirable
Candidates with advanced degrees will be preferred.
Working knowledge of Kannada.
C. Skills and Competencies
Excellent communication and writing skills.
Strong execution rigour and operational skills.
Strong presentation and time management skills.
How to apply?
Please use the Google form here, and include the following documents:
An updated CV.
A statement of purpose (500 – 800 words).
Contact details and designation of two professional references.
Compensation
Salary will be commensurate with qualification and experience and will be in the range of Rs. 40,000– 50,000 per month.
Deadline
The last date for submission of applications is January 30, 2025 at 5 pm.
The inaugural edition of the NLSIU-NHRC Moot Court Competition was successfully conducted at National Law School of India University, Bengaluru from January 3-5, 2025. The competition, jointly organised by the NHRC Chair at NLSIU and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), witnessed participation from law schools across India.
The theme for this year’s moot was ‘Censorship, and Freedom of Speech and Expression under Article 19 of the Constitution of India.’ The Moot proposition is available here.
Eligibility
Open to students enrolled in LLB (3-year/5-year) or LLM courses
One team per institution
Team members must be from the same institution
Team Composition: 3 members per team (2 speakers and 1 researcher)
Participation
The competition drew tremendous response with 99 teams from various law schools across India submitting their memorials in the qualifying rounds. Following a rigorous evaluation process, 16 teams were selected to participate in the oral rounds held at the NLSIU campus.
Final Rounds
The final round of the competition was presided over by a distinguished panel of judges:
Ms. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, Member, National Human Rights Commission
Justice (Retd.) P. Krishna Bhat, Karnataka High Court
Dr. Sanjay Jain, Professor of Law and Faculty In Charge, NHRC Chair on Human Rights, NLSIU
Results
Winner: Symbiosis Law School, Noida
Runner-up: School of Excellence in Law, Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University, Chennai
Individual and Team Awards
Best Speaker: Ashwad Dhinakaran, School of Excellence in Law, Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University, Chennai
NLSIU organised a Fire Safety Training Session for its students, faculty and staff on January 16, 2025. This is part of the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on campus. The session was planned to raise awareness and prepare members of the NLS community on how to respond effectively in case of a fire emergency.
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.
