GNLU Legal Services Committee Launches National Essay Competition on Legal Aid and Access to Justice

A New Call for Critical Legal Scholarship

The GNLU Legal Services Committee (LSC) has announced the 1st GNLU-LSC National Essay Competition on Legal Aid and Access to Justice, inviting undergraduate students across India to engage with the foundational ideals of equal justice. The competition forms part of the 2026 edition of Abhilekh , the newsletter of the GNLU Legal Services Committee, and aims to foster critical dialogue on legal, institutional and socio-economic dimensions of access to justice.

The 2026 edition of Abhilekh turns its focus towards the foundational ideals of Legal Aid and Access to Justice, examining the extent to which the legal system can ensure meaningful and equitable access to justice for all.

Themes and Participation Details

Participants are free to choose from a wide range of indicative sub-themes, including constitutional foundations of legal aid, the role of the National Legal Services Authority, legal aid for marginalised communities, women’s and children’s access to justice, legal aid clinics, technology and the digital divide. The competition encourages submissions that demonstrate clear argument, critical analysis and engagement with contemporary legal developments.

The competition is open to all undergraduate students in India. Co-authorship is permitted for a maximum of two authors, with single‑author and co‑author registration fees set at ₹200 and ₹300 respectively.

Prizes and Important Dates

Cash prizes await the top three entries: ₹8,000 for the first position, ₹5,000 for the second and ₹3,000 for the third. The results will be declared on National Legal Services Day, 9 November 2026 , a date that commemorates the enactment of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. By aligning the competition with this day, the initiative underscores its commitment to strengthening legal aid and making justice more accessible.

Registrations, payments and submissions must be completed by 25 September 2026 .

How to Submit and Key Considerations

Submissions must be original, unpublished and maintain a plagiarism similarity of not more than 10%. The essay should be between 1300 and 1500 words, formatted in Times New Roman, 12‑point font with 1.5 line spacing and justified alignment. Hyperlinks are mandatory for all citations. The manuscript must not contain any identifying information of the author(s) to ensure blind review.

The GNLU Legal Services Committee continues to ride on the principles of empowering society with legal awareness and legal aid. As the committee’s newsletter, Abhilekh brings together diverse perspectives on law, rights and social justice. This competition offers students a platform to contribute to that discourse while vying for recognition and prizes.