About the Organiser
The Centre for Legal Aid Programme (CLAP), National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi, is organising the 2nd National Article Writing Competition as part of its Symposium on Legal Aid and Allied Laws.
CLAP is a student-driven initiative committed to advancing access to justice, legal literacy and community empowerment. Recognised under the Department of Justice’s Pro Bono Club Scheme and affiliated with JHALSA and DLSA Ranchi, CLAP works through legal aid clinics, client counselling, prison visits, Lok Adalat participation and grassroots legal awareness initiatives.
NUSRL was established in 2010 by the Government of Jharkhand under the National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi Act. The University offers programmes including B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), BBA LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., Ph.D. in Law and postgraduate diploma courses.
About the Competition
The 2nd National Article Writing Competition seeks critical and thoughtful analysis of the legal, institutional and social dimensions of access to justice in India.
Theme: “Justice Deferred: Examining the Enforcement Gaps in Legal Aid in India and the Fiduciary Duty of Advocates in Ensuring Access to Justice”
The theme is rooted in Articles 14, 21 and 39A of the Constitution of India. It invites participants to examine the gap between the constitutional vision of equal justice and its lived reality, as well as the professional responsibilities of advocates in ensuring meaningful access to justice.
Suggested Sub-Themes
- From Arrest to Release: Legal Aid, Remand and the Undertrial.
- Protest, Dissent and the Right to Fair Trial.
- Assigned but Not Represented: The Fiduciary Duty of Legal-Aid Counsel.
- Legal Aid and Tribal Communities.
- Environmental Justice and the Limits of Legal Aid.
- Accountability and Institutional Responsibility in Legal-Aid Failures.
- Legal Aid and Persons with Disabilities.
- Legal Aid Behind Bars: Prison Legal-Aid Clinics and Continuity of Representation.
- Beyond “Free”: The Hidden Costs of Access to Justice.
- Language, Vulnerability and Substantive Access to Legal Aid.
- Digital Legal Aid and the New Access Divide.
The sub-themes are suggestive in nature and are intended to illustrate different dimensions of the main theme and assist participants in their writing process.
Eligibility
- The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in any recognised university or institution.
- Each submission may have a maximum of two authors.
Submission Guidelines
- Each submission must include an abstract of 100–150 words, not exceeding 200 words, summarising the research focus, crux and structure of the work.
- The main text should be between 1,500 and 2,000 words, excluding footnotes.
- Submissions must follow the OSCOLA 4th edition citation style.
- Submissions must be prepared in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx).
- The submission must not contain identifying details. Author information must be provided only in the registration form.
- Entries must be original, unpublished, free of plagiarism and not under review elsewhere.
- Violations of the competition rules will lead to immediate disqualification.
Formatting Guidelines
- Body text: Times New Roman, size 12, with 1.5 line spacing.
- Footnotes: Times New Roman, size 10, with single line spacing.
- Plagiarism limit: 10%.
- Upper limit for AI usage: 20%.
The guidelines also state that entries must be free of AI-generated content. Participants should carefully review the competition requirements before submission.
Prizes and Recognition
- First Prize: ₹5,000.
- Second Prize: ₹3,000.
- Third Prize: ₹2,000.
- The authors of the top three submissions will receive an opportunity to present their research online at the Symposium on Legal Aid and Allied Laws on Nov 28, 2026.
- The top five submissions will receive Honourable Mentions.
- All participants who submit their research in accordance with the prescribed guidelines will receive Certificates of Participation.
Registration Fee
- Single author: ₹400.
- Co-authored submission: ₹700.
Important Dates
- Last date for registration: Nov 15, 2026.
- Last date for submission: Nov 20, 2026.
- Symposium and online research presentations by the top three authors: Nov 28, 2026.
How to Register?
Eligible participants can register through the registration form attached at the end of the post by Nov 15, 2026.
The submission form will be shared with participants who successfully register for the competition before the submission deadline.
Contact Details
For queries, write to clap@nusrlranchi.ac.in.
- Anindita Gogoi, Convenor, Centre for Legal Aid Programme: +91 7896602906.
- Astha Raj, Convenor, Centre for Legal Aid Programme: +91 8789716997.