2nd Kautilya Society NLUO Essay Writing Competition 2026

The Kautilya Society at National Law University Odisha (NLUO) is hosting the 2nd Kautilya Society NLUO Essay Writing Competition 2026. This prestigious competition invites law students as well as non-law scholars to explore contemporary, critical issues emerging at the intersection of law, public policy, and governance.

Theme & Scope

The competition follows an Open Theme. Participants are free to choose any topic within any area of law, provided there is a clear and strong nexus to public policy. International policy-oriented topics are permitted, as long as Indian public policy remains central to the discussion.

Eligibility Criteria

• Students currently enrolled in a 5-Year or 3-Year LL.B. degree programme.
• Students currently enrolled in a 1-Year or 2-Year LL.M. degree programme.
• Students from non-law disciplines with a strong interest in law and public policy are also warmly encouraged to participate.

Submission & Formatting Guidelines

• Word Limit: 1,500–2,000 words (excluding endnotes).
• Abstract: Every manuscript must include an abstract of 50–100 words (excluded from the word count).
• Format: .doc/.docx format only.
• Typography: Times New Roman, 12 pt font size, 1.5 line spacing, justified alignment.
• Referencing: Hyperlinking is preferred. Endnotes may be used where hyperlinking is not possible.
• Anonymity: The manuscript and file name must not disclose the author's identity.
• Originality: Similarity index must be below 10%, with an AI detection threshold of 0%.

Prizes & Rewards

• Winner: Cash prize of ₹6,000
• Runner-up: Cash prize of ₹4,000
• Second Runner-up: Cash prize of ₹2,500
• Internship Opportunity: Winners will receive a coveted internship opportunity at the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.
• Publication: Top-performing submissions may be featured on the official Vidhi Blog, subject to approval by the external review panel.

Registration Fees

• NLUO Students: ₹200 (Single Authorship) | ₹300 (Co-Authorship)
• Non-NLUO Students: ₹300 (Single Authorship) | ₹500 (Co-Authorship)

Important Dates

• Last Date for Registration: September 18, 2026
• Last Date for Essay Submission: September 28, 2026

How to Apply

Interested candidates can register by completing the payment through the official ICICI Eazypay portal link and submitting their entries via the dedicated submission form provided post-registration.