National Essay Writing Competition 2026 by Vidihora

Vidihora is organising the National Essay Writing Competition 2026, a national-level academic writing competition based on the theme Law in Transition: Reimagining Justice in the 21st Century.

The competition is designed to encourage legal research, critical thinking and evidence-based academic writing among students, researchers, legal professionals and individuals interested in law, justice and public policy. Participants are expected to critically analyse contemporary legal issues, question existing legal frameworks and propose meaningful solutions for the future of law and justice.

Theme of the Essay Competition

Law in Transition: Reimagining Justice in the 21st Century

The competition focuses on the transformation of the legal landscape in the 21st century due to technological advancement, constitutional developments, environmental concerns, changing social realities and evolving governance models.

Participants must submit an original, analytical and well-researched essay supported by appropriate legal authorities, statutes, judicial precedents and academic literature.

Essay Topics

Participants can choose any one of the following topics:

1. Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Justice

2. Constitutional Morality in Contemporary India

3. LGBTQIA+ Rights in India

4. Climate Justice and Environmental Constitutionalism

5. Digital Privacy and Data Protection

6. Criminal Justice Reforms under BNS, BNSS & BSA

7. Access to Justice in the Digital Age

8. Women, Equality and Law

9. Judicial Independence and Constitutional Democracy

10. Uniform Civil Code in India

Participants may select only one topic and are expected to demonstrate independent thinking, legal reasoning, critical analysis and evidence-based research.

Who Can Participate?

The National Essay Writing Competition 2026 is open to participants across India. There is no age limit.

Eligible participants include:

• Undergraduate students from any discipline.

• Postgraduate students.

• Law students pursuing 3-year or 5-year law programmes.

• Judiciary aspirants.

• Research scholars and Ph.D. candidates.

• Academicians.

• Young professionals.

• Individuals interested in law, justice and public policy.

Essay Submission Guidelines

The competition follows specific academic writing and formatting requirements:

• Participation: Individual participation only.

• Submission: One participant can submit only one essay.

• Language: English only.

• Word Limit: 2,000–2,500 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography.

• Citation Style: Bluebook 21st Edition or OSCOLA.

• File Format: PDF.

• Page Size: A4.

• Orientation: Portrait.

• Font: Times New Roman.

• Font Size: 12.

• Line Spacing: 1.5.

• Alignment: Justified.

• Margins: 1 inch.

• Essays must be submitted through the official submission form before the prescribed deadline.

Blind Evaluation and Anonymity

The competition follows a blind and transparent evaluation process.

Participants receive a Unique Submission Code (USC) after successful registration. The essay document must not contain the participant's name, college, institution, email address or other identifying information.

The USC is used during submission to ensure a fair and impartial evaluation process. The evaluation system includes internal screening, blind coding, double-blind evaluation, third-judge review where required, and final score compilation and ranking.

Evaluation Criteria

The essay will be evaluated out of 100 marks on the following criteria:

• Understanding of the Topic: 15 marks

• Quality of Research: 20 marks

• Legal & Conceptual Analysis: 20 marks

• Originality & Critical Thinking: 20 marks

• Strength of Arguments: 15 marks

• Structure, Language & Presentation: 5 marks

• Citation & Referencing: 5 marks

The evaluation considers research depth, statutory grounding, strength of legal arguments, originality, critical thinking, logical progression, academic presentation and accurate citation.

Plagiarism and AI Policy

Participants are required to submit original work based on their own research, reasoning and analysis.

The competition permits a maximum similarity level of 10%. Plagiarism, substantial copying, fabricated content and failure to acknowledge sources may result in disqualification.

The brochure also states that Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT cannot be used to write or draft core arguments, and participants remain responsible for the accuracy, originality, citations and content of their submissions. A plagiarism report and AI/originality declaration are required at submission.

Important Dates

EventDateOfficial Launch & Registration Opens15 August 2026Early Bird Registration Deadline31 August 2026Last Date to Register15 September 2026Live Masterclass/WorkshopMid-September 2026Final Essay Submission30 September 2026, 11:59 PM ISTDouble-Blind Evaluation1–20 October 2026Results & Awards CeremonyEnd of October 2026, TBA

All deadlines are to be followed according to Indian Standard Time (IST).

Awards and Recognition

The competition offers cash prizes, certificates and additional academic and professional opportunities for winners and finalists.

National Winner – 1st Rank

The National Winner will receive:

• Guaranteed cash prize.

• Certificate of Excellence.

• Free publication with assigned DOI in Lex Lumen Research Journal.

• 100% free entry/full waiver for Juris Publica's upcoming Memorial Writing Competition.

• Complimentary access or 100% scholarship to a Certified Course on Contract Drafting & Legal Freelancing by AILSF.

• Internship opportunity at Lex Lumen Research Journal.

• Exclusive gift hamper from Vidihora.

• 100% registration fee waiver for Vidihora's next National Essay Competition.

First Runner-Up – 2nd Rank

The First Runner-Up will receive:

• Guaranteed cash prize.

• Certificate of Excellence.

• Free publication with free DOI in Lex Lumen Research Journal.

• 50% registration fee discount for Juris Publica's upcoming Memorial Writing Competition.

• Complimentary access or full scholarship to the Certified Course on Contract Drafting & Legal Freelancing by AILSF.

• Internship opportunity at Lex Lumen Research Journal.

• Gift hamper, subject to partner contributions and availability.

• 100% registration fee waiver for Vidihora's next National Essay Competition.

Second Runner-Up – 3rd Rank

The Second Runner-Up will receive:

• Guaranteed cash prize.

• Certificate of Excellence.

• Free publication with free DOI in Lex Lumen Research Journal.

• 50% registration fee discount for Juris Publica's upcoming Memorial Writing Competition.

• Complimentary access or full scholarship to the Certified Course on Contract Drafting & Legal Freelancing by AILSF.

• Internship opportunity at Lex Lumen Research Journal.

• Gift hamper, subject to partner contributions and availability.

• 100% registration fee waiver for Vidihora's next National Essay Competition.

The brochure states that additional sponsors, institutional collaborations, partner benefits, scholarship opportunities, prize enhancements and cash prize increases may be announced progressively.

Benefits for 4th and 5th Rank Holders

Participants securing the 4th or 5th rank will receive:

• 100% registration fee cashback/reimbursement.

• Complimentary access or full scholarship to the Advanced Certified Course on Contract Drafting & Legal Freelancing by AILSF.

• Certificate of Merit.

• 50% registration fee discount for Vidihora's next National Essay Competition.

Benefits for Top 10 Finalists

The Top 10 finalists will receive:

• Certificate of Merit.

• 20% publication fee discount with Lex Lumen Research Journal.

• Special discussion courses and scholarships on Advanced Legal Courses.

• 20% registration fee discount for Vidihora's next National Essay Competition.

Benefits for All Registered Participants

All registered participants can receive:

• Free National Masterclass consisting of a live workshop on legal research and academic writing.

• Official Certificate of participation for registered and eligible participants.

• Publication Benefit: 20% publication fee discount with Lex Lumen Research Journal.

• Vidihora Benefit: 10% registration discount on Vidihora's next National Competition.

Registration Fee and Discount

The brochure lists the registration fee as ₹169, with a note that the registration fee may increase in subsequent phases. Participation is on an individual basis, with one participant permitted to submit one essay.

For an additional 15% registration discount, participants can use either of the following referral codes:

• PRA15

• VIDHIORA15

Participants should apply the valid referral or promotional code during registration to avail the applicable discount.

Registration Process

Participants can register through the official Vidihora registration portal.

Step 1: Visit the official registration portal.

Step 2: Complete the registration form by entering the required personal details, selecting the essay topic and applying a valid referral or promotional code, if applicable.

Step 3: Complete the registration fee payment through the secure payment section available on the registration portal.

Step 4: Wait for verification of the registration and payment details by the Organising Committee.

Step 5: After successful verification, participants will receive a registration confirmation email along with their Unique Essay Submission Code, which must be used while submitting the essay for the blind evaluation process.

How to Apply

Interested participants can register for the National Essay Writing Competition 2026 through the official registration portal:

Register Now – Vidihora National Essay Writing Competition 2026

For complete information regarding the essay topics, eligibility, submission guidelines, evaluation process, prizes, important dates, registration process and competition rules, participants can refer to the official brochure:

Download/View the Official Brochure

Contact Details

For registration, payment queries, submission assistance or general information, participants may contact the organising team through the details provided in the brochure.

Competition Coordinator: Pragati Kumari
Phone/WhatsApp: +91 62991 50584

Official Email: vidhiora.official@gmail.com
Alternate Email: me.pragati.01@gmail.com

Technical & Payment Queries: Anurag Kumar
Phone/WhatsApp: +91 76449 35111

Why Participate in the National Essay Writing Competition 2026?

The Vidihora National Essay Writing Competition 2026 provides participants with an opportunity to demonstrate their legal research, academic writing, critical thinking and legal reasoning skills on contemporary issues shaping the future of law.

With opportunities including cash prizes, certificates, publication benefits, internships, scholarships, legal research masterclasses, winner gifts and additional partner benefits, the competition offers several academic and professional benefits to students, researchers and young legal professionals. The organisers have also indicated that additional sponsors and partners are being added, with further benefits and prize enhancements to be announced progressively.