17th Dada Nari Gursahani Fest - Vidhi Manthan National Level Moot Court Competition

The 17th Dada Nari Gursahani Fest - Vidhi Manthan National Level Moot Court Competition is a premier national-level mooting event organized by Nari Gursahani Law College and sponsored by the prestigious D. M. Harish Foundation.

About the Competition

This edition of the Vidhi Manthan Moot Court Competition presents a highly contemporary and intellectually stimulating moot proposition centered around the intersection of constitutional law, national security, artificial intelligence, and digital privacy. The problem simulates a complex legal battle in the Republic of Aryavarta (analogous to the Republic of India) involving state-sponsored surveillance, predictive threat scoring, forced biometric unlocking of devices, and preventive detention under national security laws.

Key Themes & Issues Covered

• Constitutional Validity of Surveillance Frameworks: Challenging the National Digital Surveillance Programme (NDSP) and the Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Digital Security Act (PCIDSA).

• Right to Privacy & Proportionality: Analyzing state surveillance, deep packet inspection, and automated facial recognition systems under Article 21.

• Self-Incrimination & Biometric Unlocking: Whether forcing a detainee to unlock a smartphone using facial recognition constitutes compelled testimonial or communicative assistance under Article 20(3).

• Preventive Detention & Access to Counsel: The constitutionality of deferring access to legal counsel under the Preventive Security Act (PSA).

• National Security vs. Civil Liberties: Balancing executive powers in mitigating 'hybrid warfare' and cyber-attacks against fundamental democratic freedoms.

Eligibility & Team Composition

The competition is open to all students pursuing undergraduate law degrees (3-year LL.B. or 5-year integrated LL.B. programmes) from recognized universities and colleges in India. Each team typically comprises two speakers and one researcher.

Registration & Application Process

Interested teams can register for the competition by following these steps:

• Click on the official link provided in the Apply Link section to access the detailed brochure and registration form.

• Complete the online registration form with the details of the participating team members.

• Pay the prescribed registration fee as detailed in the official brochure and upload the proof of payment.

• Submit the registration form before the official deadline.

Prizes and Awards

Participants stand a chance to win prestigious awards and cash prizes, including:

• Winning Team

• Runner-Up Team

• Best Speaker

• Best Memorial

• Best Researcher