The National Law School of India Review (NLSIR), the flagship student-edited, double-anonymous peer-reviewed law journal of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has announced the inaugural edition of the Chief Justice E.S. Venkataramiah Memorial Best Essay Prize. Instituted with the support of the family of the late Chief Justice E.S. Venkataramiah, the annual national essay competition seeks to encourage rigorous constitutional scholarship among undergraduate law students across India.
The winning essay will be published in NLSIR, with the author receiving a cash prize of ₹25,000 and a citation plaque. The competition will be organised annually between July and September, with each edition focusing on a contemporary legal issue of national significance.
About the Competition:
The Chief Justice E.S. Venkataramiah Memorial Best Essay Prize has been instituted to promote excellence in legal writing and constitutional scholarship among undergraduate law students. Shortlisted essays will be evaluated by a panel of distinguished academicians and legal practitioners with expertise in the relevant subject area.
Apart from the publication opportunity in NLSIR, the competition aims to provide students with a platform to engage deeply with pressing constitutional questions through original academic research.
Theme for the Inaugural Edition:
“Does the Constitution Choose an Economic Model? Directive Principles and the Question of Ideological Neutrality”
The inaugural edition draws inspiration from the Supreme Court’s nine-judge Constitution Bench decision in Property Owners’ Association v. State of Maharashtra (2024). The majority held that not all privately owned property falls within the scope of “material resources of the community” under Article 39(b), observing that the Constitution does not commit India to any single economic ideology.
Participants are expected to move beyond a case comment and critically examine broader constitutional questions relating to Directive Principles, property, redistribution, markets, the role of the State, and constitutional theory. Essays are encouraged to engage with comparative constitutional perspectives as well as political and economic theory.
Eligibility:
The competition is open to:
- Students enrolled in three-year LL.B. programmes.
- Students enrolled in five-year integrated law programmes.
- Candidates must be studying at a law school recognised by the Bar Council of India (BCI).
Submission Guidelines:
Participants must adhere to the following requirements:
- Original, unpublished, single-authored essay in English.
- The essay must successfully clear anti-plagiarism checks.
- A bona fide certificate signed by the Registrar, Vice-Chancellor, or other competent authority confirming the participant’s enrolment is mandatory.
- Abstracts or proposals are not required.
- Citation Style: OSCOLA
- Font: Times New Roman
- Font Size: 12
- Line Spacing: 1.5
- Paper Size: A4
Word Limit: 8,000–10,000 words (inclusive of footnotes).
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission Portal Opens | 1 September 2026 |
| Essay Submission Deadline | 10 October 2026 |
There is no registration process or registration fee. Eligible participants may directly submit their essays through the official submission portal once it opens.
Prize:
The winner will receive:
- ₹25,000 Cash Prize
- Citation Plaque
- Publication of the winning essay in the National Law School of India Review (NLSIR)
About NLSIR
The National Law School of India Review (NLSIR) is the flagship student-edited, bi-annual, double-anonymous peer-reviewed law journal of NLSIU Bengaluru. Now in its 38th year, the journal has established itself as one of India’s leading academic law reviews, publishing contributions from distinguished judges, senior advocates, academicians, and international scholars.
NLSIR has also been cited by the Supreme Court of India in landmark judgments, including K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India, Unaided Private Schools of Delhi v. Director of Education, Union of India v. M/s Mohit Minerals, and A.M.U. v. Naresh Agarwal.
Over the years, the journal has featured writings by eminent personalities including Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Prof. Cass Sunstein, Prof. Richard Whish, Prof. Dev Gangjee, Justice B.N. Srikrishna, Justice Altamas Kabir, Fali S. Nariman, Arvind Datar, and several other leading scholars and practitioners.
Legacy of Chief Justice E.S. Venkataramiah:
The Prize commemorates Justice E.S. Venkataramiah, the 19th Chief Justice of India, who, after an illustrious judicial career, returned to academia as the M.K. Nambiar Chair in Constitutional Law at NLSIU. Remembered for his commitment to legal scholarship and constitutional thought, the Prize seeks to inspire students to cultivate intellectual rigour, persuasive legal writing, and meaningful engagement with contemporary constitutional issues.
Contact:
For any queries regarding the competition, participants may write to:
Email: nlsir.communications@nls.ac.in
More details: https://repository.nls.ac.in/nlsir/news.htm
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