Kautilya Society NLUO Announces 2nd Essay Writing Competition with Rs 12,500 Prize Pool

National Law University Odisha’s Kautilya Society, in association with Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, has opened submissions for the 2nd Kautilya Society NLUO Essay Writing Competition 2026. The open‑theme contest invites students and professionals to explore issues at the intersection of law, governance, and public policy.

A Platform for Policy Minds

The competition aims to stimulate original thought and informed discourse on contemporary public‑policy challenges. Participants are free to choose any topic, provided they establish a strong connection with Indian public policy—even when writing about international events. The organisers emphasise that essays should go beyond mere summary and offer novel analysis or interpretation.

Submissions will undergo a three‑tier evaluation process. The first stage checks formatting, plagiarism (below 10%), and AI‑generated content (0%). The second stage assesses originality, structure, grammar, and citation quality. In the final stage, an external panel from Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy selects winners and pieces for publication on the Vidhi Blog.

What’s at Stake

The prize pool totals Rs 12,500, distributed as follows:

  • Winner: Rs 6,000
  • Runner‑up: Rs 4,000
  • Second runner‑up: Rs 2,500

The overall winner also receives an internship opportunity at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. The top submissions may be published on the Vidhi Blog, subject to the external panel’s approval.

How to Participate

Eligibility: The contest is open to students pursuing five‑year/three‑year LLB, one‑year/two‑year LLM, and even non‑law students interested in public policy.

Submission Guidelines:
- Word limit: 1,500–2,000 words (excluding abstract and endnotes).
- Format: .doc/.docx, Times New Roman 12 pt, 1.5 spacing, justified text.
- Referencing: Hyperlinking is preferred; endnotes are allowed if hyperlinking is not feasible.
- An abstract of 50–100 words must accompany each manuscript.
- Files must not reveal the author’s identity; use the title and a team code as the file name.

Fees:

| | Single Authorship | Co‑Authorship | |---|---|---| | NLUO Students | Rs 200 | Rs 300 | | Non‑NLUO Students | Rs 300 | Rs 500 |

Timeline:
- Last date for registration: 13 September 2026
- Last date for submission: 28 September 2026

Registration & Submission:
Participants must first pay the fee via ICICI Bank’s Eazypay portal (entering “National Law University” as the institution and “KS Essay Writing Competition” as the purpose). After payment, a team code will be allotted, and the submission link will be shared.

For queries, contact the society at ksociety@nluo.ac.in or reach out to:
- Convenor: Aryan Chowdhury (+91 8318262740)
- Co‑Convenor: Nidhi Rai (+91 9560392741)
- Editor‑in‑Chief: Adrija Dey (+91 9109910526)