National Legal Aid Innovation Competition 2026 by NLU Jodhpur

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

The National Legal Aid Innovation Competition 2026, organised by National Law University, Jodhpur, aims to encourage law schools to develop innovative, research-driven, and implementable legal aid interventions addressing contemporary access-to-justice challenges.

The competition forms part of a broader Stakeholders’ Summit, bringing together students, academicians, legal practitioners, policymakers, and civil society organisations.

COMPETITION STRUCTURE

Stage I – Proposal Submission

Teams must submit:

• A concept note identifying an access-to-justice gap

• A 2-minute video presentation explaining the proposed legal aid intervention

Stage II – Report Submission & Presentation

Shortlisted teams will:

• Prepare a comprehensive empirical research report

• Present their findings before an Expert Evaluation Panel

• Participate in the Stakeholders’ Summit

The summit will also feature capacity-building workshops, panel discussions, presentations, networking sessions, and the valedictory and award ceremony.

THEMES

Participants may develop interventions around:

1. Criminal Justice

2. Juvenile Justice

3. Gender-Inclusive Legal Aid

4. Data Governance

5. Bridging the Digital Divide to Ensure Access to Justice

ELIGIBILITY

• One team of 3–5 undergraduate law students

• Participants must belong to a UGC- and BCI-recognised law school

• Each team must register through its institution's Legal Aid Clinic

• Teams must be accompanied by one faculty coordinator

PRIZE POOL

₹65,000

PositionPrize🥇 First Prize₹30,000🥈 Second Prize₹20,000🥉 Third Prize₹15,000

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Shortlisted and participating teams may also receive:

• Internship opportunities

• Expert mentorship

• Opportunity for publication of outstanding work

• Participation in a national dialogue on legal aid

• Exposure to legal aid practitioners, policymakers and civil society organisations

FEE STRUCTURE

CategoryFeeCompetition Registration₹1,500 per teamStage II – Shortlisted Teams₹4,500 per teamFaculty Coordinator₹2,500

The Stage II fee of ₹4,500 per team includes accommodation, boarding, food, and internal travel.

IMPORTANT DATES

Registration Deadline - 20 August 2026

Stakeholders’ Summit - 9–11 October 2026

MODE

Stage I: Online submission
Stage II: Presentation at the Stakeholders’ Summit

DURATION

3 days for the Stakeholders’ Summit, from 9–11 October 2026.

HOW TO REGISTER

Interested teams must register through the official registration form and complete the prescribed payment through the official payment portal.

CONTACT DETAILS

📞 +91-9619048491 / +91-7014425032 / +91-7042668604
📧 laac@nlujodhpur.ac.in

For all the additional details and rules -https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yYXPnYBsmw95jQRwuHVAhAMU2okXy6bE