Article Writing Competition by Vidhimitra, DNLU [Cash Prizes Rs 15K]: Register by Apr 9

About Dharmashastra National Law University

Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), located in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, is a public law university established in 2018 to provide high-quality, value-based legal education. It offers undergraduate (B.A.LL.B Hons.) and postgraduate programs, with admissions primarily through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT).

About the Vidhimitra

Vidhimitra is the Legal Aid Cell of Dharmashastra National Law University, established as a legal aid clinic with the objective of promoting access to justice and legal awareness. It was launched in 2020 to empower individuals, especially those from marginalised and economically weaker sections, by spreading awareness about legal rights and remedies.

About the Event

The Article Writing Competition is being organised as part of DNLU’s flagship academic and cultural fest, REVĀ (11th–13th April 2026). The competition aims to promote research, analytical thinking, and academic writing on contemporary legal issues while encouraging participants to critically engage with evolving legal and policy frameworks.

Eligibility

The competition is open to students pursuing undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) law programmes from recognised institutions.

Theme

The broad theme for the competition is:

Contemporary Challenges in Law and Justice

Illustrative sub-themes include:

• Constitutional law and emerging jurisprudence
• Criminal justice and procedural reform
• Technology, privacy, and digital governance
• Gender justice and the law
• Environmental law and climate justice
• Access to justice and legal aid
• Human rights and vulnerable communities
• Arbitration, commercial law, and regulatory developments
• Mental health and the legal framework
• Law, society, and public policy

(The list is indicative and not exhaustive.)

Submission Categories

• Single-authored submissions
• Co-authored submissions (maximum of two authors)

Prizes

• Winner: ₹10,000
• Runner-Up: ₹5,000

Additionally, the top 15 articles will be published in a book with an ISBN number by the university publication. Certificates of merit and participation will also be awarded to shortlisted participants.

Formatting Guidelines

• Word Limit: 1,000–1,500 words (exclusive of footnotes)
• Font: Times New Roman
• Font Size: 12 (main text), 10 (footnotes)
• Line Spacing: 1.5
• Alignment: Justified
• Citation Style: OSCOLA

Selection Guidelines

Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges based on:

• Originality and novelty of thought
• Relevance to the theme
• Depth of legal analysis
• Structure and coherence
• Quality of research and authorities used
• Clarity of expression

The decision of the judges shall be final and binding.

Submission Guidelines

• Co-authorship is permitted (maximum two authors).
• Submissions must be original and unpublished.
• Any form of plagiarism or use of AI tools will result in disqualification.

Important Dates

• Registration Opens: 24 March 2026
• Registration Closes: 9 April 2026
• Submission Deadline: 9 April 2026

Registration Fees

• ₹800 per person (without accommodation)
• ₹1500 per person (with accommodation and pro-night passes)

Note: The participants are not required to be present in the campus after submission and selection of their article; however, if they wish to join in the pro nights of the fest, they can do so, however, they need to pay a different fee structure.

Registration Process

Participants can register using the following link:

Click Here to Register.

Submission Procedure

All submissions must be made through the following link:

Click here to Submit.

Contact Information

For any queries, please contact:

• Ms Isha Mehrotra (Convenor): +91 89570 32093
• Ms Alfisha Nayab (Co-convenor): +91 87709 41031
• Email: [email protected]

The brochure is here.