9th Convocation of Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) in 2026
Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), one of India’s leading National Law Universities, organised its 9th Convocation Ceremony on 22 February 2026 in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The prestigious event marked a significant milestone for graduating students and highlighted the university’s continued contribution to legal education, research, and institutional development.
The convocation was held at Emerald Hall, Hotel Babylon Capital, Raipur, in the presence of eminent judges, government officials, academicians, and families of graduates.
Chief Justice of India Delivered Convocation Address
The ceremony was honoured by the presence of:
- Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India – Chief Guest and Convocation Speaker
- Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court and Chancellor of HNLU
Key Highlights:
- The Chief Guest delivered the Convocation Address
- The Chancellor conferred degrees to successful graduates
- The ceremony was conducted between 2:00 PM and 4:45 PM
- The event was organised as an invitation-only academic ceremony
- The convocation was also live-streamed on the official YouTube channel
Degrees Awarded to 242 Students
During the convocation, degrees were awarded to students across different law programmes:
| Programme | Number of Graduates |
|---|---|
| Ph.D. | 6 |
| LL.M. | 88 |
| B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) | 148 |
| Total | 242 |
These graduates represent the next generation of legal professionals, researchers, and policymakers.
Distinguished Guests and Dignitaries Present
Several prominent personalities attended the ceremony as Guests of Honour and special invitees:
Guests of Honour
- Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh
- Justice P. S. Narasimha, Judge, Supreme Court of India
- Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, Judge, Supreme Court of India
Other Eminent Attendees
- Judges of Chhattisgarh High Court
- Justice Parth Prateem Sahu
- Justice P. Sam Koshy
- Justice G. Raghuram, Former Director, National Judicial Academy
- Vice-Chancellors, academicians, Bar members, and senior government officials
36 Gold Medals Awarded for Academic Excellence
One of the most prestigious parts of the convocation was the award of 36 Gold Medals to meritorious students.
Major Gold Medals Included:
- Chancellor’s Gold Medal
- University Gold Medal for Best Outgoing Student
- Chhattisgarh State Bar Council Gold Medal
- Late Kamal Narayan Sharma Gold Medal
- Shanti Devi Agrawal Memorial Gold Medal
- Vidyadhar Mishra Memorial Gold Medal
- Dinesh Prasad Srivastava Memorial Gold Medal
- K. P. Munshi Gold Medal
- Syed Wakil Ahmed Rizvi Gold Medal
These medals recognised exceptional academic performance and excellence.
Major Institutional Achievements and Initiatives in 2025
HNLU also highlighted its major developments and achievements over the past year.
Institutional Welfare Initiatives
- Medical reimbursement increased from ₹9,000 to ₹30,000
- Launch of Compassionate Fund with ₹1 crore corpus
- Financial support for staff during emergencies and crises
Major Research Projects and Grants
HNLU secured important research funding, including:
- Climate Change Legislation Project for Chhattisgarh
- ICSSR-funded project on Abujh Maria tribal community
- ₹3.35 crore grant under Project Justice Connect
These projects aim to strengthen legal research and access to justice.
Academic and International Engagement
Key academic highlights included:
- Hosting International Moot Court Competition 2025
- Ambedkar Memorial Lecture by Supreme Court Judge
- Swami Vivekananda Memorial Lecture by State Finance Minister
Release of Academic Publications
During the convocation, HNLU released important academic publications:
- HNLU Journal of Law and Social Sciences (Vol IX)
- HNLU Student Law Journal
- Edited book on Constitution @ 75
These publications contribute to legal scholarship in India.
New Auditorium and Research Infrastructure Launched
The Chief Justice of India also inaugurated and laid the foundation for major infrastructure projects:
New Developments:
- Foundation stone of new auditorium worth ₹50 crore
- Inauguration of Research Hub and Spoke (R-HaS) Block
- Creation of 30 research chambers and conference facilities
This expansion strengthens HNLU’s research and academic environment.
HNLU Rankings and Global Recognition
HNLU continues to gain national and global recognition:
- Ranked among Top Law Universities in India
- Ranked in World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI)
- Recognised for leadership, research, and academic excellence
Why HNLU Convocation 2026 Is Important
The convocation reflects:
- Academic excellence of National Law Universities
- Role of judiciary in shaping legal education
- Contribution of young law graduates to society
- Expansion of research and legal infrastructure