About 1st Kautilya Society NLUO Essay Writing Competition 2025
The 1st Kautilya Society NLUO Essay Writing Competition 2025, organised by National Law University Odisha (NLUO) in collaboration with the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, is a major academic opportunity for law students, researchers, and public policy enthusiasts across India. With the registration deadline extended, this competition invites well-researched essays on the contemporary theme of “Arbitration and Public Policy in India.”
Key Highlights at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Kautilya Society, NLUO |
| Collaborator | Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy |
| Theme | Arbitration and Public Policy in India |
| Registration Deadline | 07 December 2025 (Extended) |
| Submission Deadline | 22 December 2025 (Extended) |
| Eligibility | Law & Non-Law Students |
| Prize Pool | ₹9,500 |
| Mode | Online |
| Publication Opportunity | Vidhi Blog |
About National Law University Odisha (NLUO)
National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack, was established under the Odisha State Act 4 of 2008 with a vision to promote excellence in legal education, research, and professional advocacy. The university is known for fostering:
- Legal research
- Judicial service preparation
- Advocacy training
- Public policy studies
- Legislative drafting and legal innovation
NLUO actively supports students through research centers and academic societies, encouraging participation in national-level competitions and policy initiatives.
About Kautilya Society, NLUO
The Kautilya Society NLUO Chapter is a student-driven initiative founded in association with the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. The society aims to:
- Promote public policy education
- Develop interest in legislative drafting
- Encourage governance, advocacy, and research careers
- Build leadership for public service in India
The society empowers students to explore careers in:
- Development sector
- Policy advocacy
- Consultancy
- Economics
- Campaigning and governance
Theme of the Competition 2025
“Arbitration and Public Policy in India”
Arbitration in India was introduced as an efficient alternative to litigation. However, delays in enforcement, judicial interference, and public policy objections have weakened its effectiveness. Even in 2023, the Ministry of Finance discouraged arbitration in public procurement contracts, marking a serious concern.
This competition aims to critically analyze:
- The conflict between arbitration awards and public policy
- The delay in enforcement proceedings
- The impact of public interest in private dispute resolution
Sub-Themes (Suggested Topics)
| Category | Topic |
|---|---|
| Labour Law | Arbitrability of Workplace Sexual Harassment Claims |
| Technology | AI-Assisted Arbitral Awards & Public Policy |
| Environment | Green Arbitration & Climate Policy |
| Data Law | Data Sovereignty vs Arbitral Confidentiality |
| Finance | Third-Party Funding in Arbitration |
| Procedure | Civil Procedures in Ad-Hoc Arbitrations |
✅ Participants may also choose any custom topic related to Arbitration and Public Policy.
Eligibility Criteria
| Category | Eligible |
|---|---|
| Law Students | 5-Year & 3-Year LLB |
| Postgraduates | 1-Year & 2-Year LLM |
| Non-Law Students | Allowed |
| Co-Authorship | Allowed |
Submission Guidelines (SEO-Friendly Checklist)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| File Format | .doc / .docx |
| Word Limit | 1500–2000 (excluding endnotes) |
| Abstract | 50–100 words |
| Font | Times New Roman |
| Font Size | 12 |
| Line Spacing | 1.5 |
| Alignment | Justified |
| Referencing | Hyperlink or Endnotes |
| Plagiarism Limit | Less than 10% |
| AI Content | 0% Allowed |
| Author Identity | Must be anonymous |
⚠️ Manuscripts not complying with these rules may be rejected without review.
Evaluation Process (3-Tier Review System)
Stage 1 → Basic Compliance Check
Stage 2 → Editorial Review & Quality Assessment
Stage 3 → External Expert Panel Decision
| Stage | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Word count, plagiarism, AI detection |
| Stage 2 | Originality, structure, citations |
| Stage 3 | Final selection & Vidhi Blog publication |
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | 07 December 2025 |
| Submission Deadline | 22 December 2025 |
Registration Fees Structure
| Category | Single Author | Co-Author |
|---|---|---|
| NLUO Students | ₹150 | ₹250 |
| Non-NLUO Students | ₹250 | ₹400 |
✅ Payment Mode: Online Only
Registration Process (Step-Based Diagram)
Step 1 → Visit ICICI Eazypay
Step 2 → Enter Institution: National Law University
Step 3 → Fill Student Details
Step 4 → Enter Payment Amount
Step 5 → Submit OTP
Step 6 → Download Auto-Generated Receipt
🔗 Registration Form: CLick here
Submission Process
Registration → Team Code Allotted → Final Essay Upload
🔗 Submission Link: Click Here
⏰ Last Date: 22 December 2025 | 11:59 PM
Prizes & Publication Opportunity
| Rank | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| Winner | ₹5,000 |
| Runner-Up | ₹3,000 |
| Second Runner-Up | ₹1,500 |
✅ Top essays may be published on the Vidhi Blog, subject to expert panel discretion.
Contact Details
| Designation | Name | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Convenor | Mridula Singh Bhatti | +91 9315900895 |
| Co-Convenor | Vibha Vaikuntanath | +91 9113841237 |
| Editor-in-Chief | Aryan Chowdhury | +91 8318262740 |
| Official Email | ksociety@nluo.ac.in | ✔️ |
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