Essay Writing Competition by NLU Delhi [Cash Prizes Rs 35K]: Register by June 8

About National Law University Delhi

National Law University Delhi (NLUD), established in 2008, is recognised as one of India’s premier legal education institution. Committed to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation, NLUD cultivates a vibrant intellectual environment that encourages collaborative research and critical legal inquiry.

About CELPR, NLU Delhi

The Centre for Environmental Law, Policy and Research (CELPR), established in August 2016, promotes legal education, research, and dialogue on contemporary environmental issues by bringing together academic and expert perspectives. It focuses on raising awareness, encouraging public participation, and addressing environmental concerns through research and policy engagement. A student-led Centre under expert faculty supervision, CELPR collaborates with diverse stakeholders and works towards meaningful law and policy reform.

About ELDF

The Enviro Legal Defence Firm (ELDF), India’s first environmental law firm, works to advance environmental and development law by addressing natural resource conflicts and strengthening environmental jurisprudence. It bridges the gap that exists between field-based conflicts and the courts or other formal adjudicating bodies. ELDF also believes that ‘Practising Law’ has to grow beyond the formal courts of law. ELDF aims at providing a unique institutional framework that would sustain major legal initiatives, both within and outside the courts.

About the Essay Writing Competition

The Centre for Environmental Law, Policy and Research (CELPR), NLU Delhi, in collaboration with ELDF, is proud to present the CELPR NLU Delhi – ELDF Essay Writing Competition (First Edition) on the theme of Environmental Vision – India @2047. The competition seeks to nurture rigorous legal and policy scholarship that critically engages with India’s transformative vision of sustainability and prosperity by 2047.

Participants are encouraged to explore emerging sub-themes at the intersection of environmental governance, sustainable development, and regulatory policy. The competition provides a vibrant platform to present fresh perspectives and contribute meaningfully to academic and policy discourse during this pivotal period for India.

Important Dates

• Announcement of Competition 18th May 2026
• Deadline for Registration 8th June 2026
• Deadline for Submission 8th July 2026
• Declaration of Results 10th August 2026

Central Theme

Environmental Vision – India@2047

Indicative Sub-Themes

• Regulatory Evolution and the Environmental Rule of Law
• Beyond Compliance: Reimagining Pollution Control and Environmental Accountability
• Sustainable future: Reconciling climate justice with economic growth
• Energy transition: Move Towards Just outcomes and Net-Zero Future
• Urban India: Crisis or Opportunity
• Climate Smart Agriculture: An Attempt Towards Food Security
• Techno Legal Environmental Governance: Charting the role of digital tools and Artificial Intelligence in governance
• From Waste to Wealth: Advancing a Circular Economy in Waste Management.
• Biodiversity: Our Strongest Natural Defence Against Climate Change

Note: Participants may explore any other topic within the broader domain of the theme Environmental Vision – India @2047, subject to its relevance and originality to the main theme.

Submission Guidelines

Format and Content:

• Word Limit: 2,500 – 3,000 words inclusive of references.
• The title should be no longer than 12 words.
• The content must be formatted as follows:
• Font Style: Times New Roman
• Line Spacing: 1.5
• Font size: 12
• All text should be justified.
• The submission shall be original and unpublished work.
• Similarity index should be below 15%. The submissions with AI index of more than 20% shall be disqualified.
• Referencing Style: Endnotes
• The endnotes shall be as per OSCOLA 5th Edition, formatted as follows:
  • Font Style: Times New Roman
  • Line Spacing: 1.0
  • Font size: 10
•  The endnotes should be limited to only instances where required.
• Essays breaching the guidelines will be summarily rejected.

Eligibility

The competition is open to students enrolled in undergraduate or post-graduate law course in any recognised university in India. Co-authorship is not permitted.

Registration Process

•  Registration to be completed via the registration link by 8th June 2026.
• Registration fee (non-refundable) for each participant is Rs. 200/-
• Payment to be made on the following payment link.

Marking Scheme

• Research Analysis 10
• Knowledge & Understanding 10
• Relevance & Originality 10
• Language & Structure 10
• Style & Clarity 10
• Total 50

Awards

• Winner Rs 20,000 + Certificate of Merit
• First Runner-Up Entries Rs 15,000 + Certificate of Merit
• Meritorious Entries Rs 10,000 + Certificate of Merit
• Top 10 Entries Certificate of Merit
• All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation
• *The decision of the Panel of Judges will be final.

Registration and Submission Procedure

• Registered participants may submit their essays via the submission form by 8th July 2026 (the submission link will be shared on the registered mail ids).
•  Please ensure that details provided in the submission form are the same as in the registration form.

Click Here to Register.

The payment link is here.

Contact Them

Email: [email protected]

(any query related to the Essay Competition should necessarily have the subject header as “Essay Competition – Query”)

The brochure is here.