Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai, in collaboration with the All India Federation of Tax Practitioners (AIFTP) and the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Bar Association, Mumbai, inaugurated the 15th Padma Vibhushan N. A. Palkhivala Memorial National Moot Court & Research Paper Competition 2026 on 23rd October 2026.
The virtual competition runs from 24th October to 31st October 2026, bringing together top legal minds and students across India to foster legal advocacy and tax research excellence.
🌟 Key Highlights & Participation
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Moot Court Competition: 108 teams from over 18 states representing NLUs, government law colleges, and top private institutions.
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Research Paper Competition: Received 140 research papers from law students across 15+ states.
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Format: Virtual
🎙️ Inaugural Ceremony
The inaugural address was delivered by Hon’ble Justice Shri C.V. Bhadang, President of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), who inspired participants to draw motivation from the life and vision of N. A. Palkhivala.
Other distinguished speakers included:
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Dr. K. Shivaram, Senior Advocate, Bombay High Court
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CA S. Venkataramani, National President, AIFTP
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Adv. K. Gopal, President, ITAT Bar Association, Mumbai
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Prof. (Dr.) Prakash Chaudhary, Registrar, MNLU Mumbai (conveying greetings from Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Dilip Ukey)
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Asst. Prof. Amana Khare, Faculty-in-charge, Moot Court Society, MNLU Mumbai (Vote of Thanks)
🏆 Cash Prizes & Publication Opportunities
Moot Court Competition
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Winners: ₹30,000
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Runners-Up: ₹20,000
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2nd Runners-Up: ₹15,000
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Best Speaker / Best Researcher / Best Memorial: ₹7,500 each
National Research Paper Competition
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1st Place: ₹10,000
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2nd Place: ₹7,500
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3rd Place: ₹5,000
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Bonus: Winning papers will be considered for publication in the prestigious AIFTP Journal and the official online platform of the ITAT Bar Association, Mumbai.
📝 Research Paper Themes
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DPDP Act, 2023 & Tax Surveillance: A Constitutional Collision?
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The Faceless Tax Regime: Has the Objective of Enhancing Efficiency, Transparency, and Accountability Been Achieved, or Has the Right to Be Heard Become Illusory?
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The Shifting Burden of Proof in Financial and Tax Laws: Has the Jurisprudence Evolved Unfairly?