HNLU Students Achieve National Success at Direct Tax Moot Court Competition

Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, has added another significant achievement to its record of success in national moot court competitions. The university’s team emerged as the winner of the 9th Dastur National Direct Tax Moot Court Competition 2026, a prestigious event organized by Government Law College, Mumbai, in collaboration with The Chamber of Tax Consultants.

The competition brought together law students from across the country to demonstrate their legal research, drafting, and advocacy skills in the field of direct taxation law.

HNLU Team Secures Championship Title

The winning HNLU team consisted of:

• Devesh Mishra
• Rashleen Kaur Saluja
• Asmi Chandrakar

All three students are pursuing the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme and belong to the Batch of 2029.

The competition was conducted in multiple stages:

• Preliminary and Quarter-Final Rounds held online on 13 June 2026
• Semi-Final Round conducted at the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Mumbai
• Final Round organized at Government Law College, Mumbai on 27 June 2026

The team demonstrated strong legal reasoning, advocacy, and teamwork throughout the competition, ultimately securing the championship title.

Individual Awards Won by HNLU Students

Apart from winning the overall competition, HNLU students also received individual honours for their outstanding performances.

Award Winners

• Best Speaker: Rashleen Kaur Saluja
  • Cash Prize: ₹5,000
• Second Best Speaker: Devesh Mishra
  • Cash Prize: ₹3,000

Team Achievement

• Champion Team Award
  • Cash Prize: ₹12,000

These awards highlight the students’ excellence in oral advocacy, legal argumentation, and courtroom presentation skills.

Importance of Moot Court Training at HNLU

The achievement reflects HNLU’s strong emphasis on practical legal education and advocacy training.

According to university leadership, HNLU has adopted innovative teaching methods that focus on developing real-world legal skills. One such initiative is the Moot Clinic Programme, which integrates advocacy exercises into the academic curriculum.

Key Features of the Moot Clinic Initiative

• Practical courtroom simulations
• Continuous assessment through moot exercises
• Development of legal research skills
• Training in memorial drafting
• Enhancement of oral advocacy abilities
• Promotion of teamwork and professional ethics
• Exposure to litigation-oriented learning

This approach helps students gain hands-on experience and prepares them for competitive legal forums at both national and international levels.

HNLU’s Commitment to Experiential Legal Education

HNLU continues to promote outcome-based legal education by combining classroom learning with practical training opportunities. The university encourages students to participate in moot courts, debates, research projects, and legal aid activities to strengthen their professional competencies.

The institution believes that advocacy competitions play an important role in shaping future legal professionals by helping them develop:

• Analytical thinking
• Legal research capabilities
• Drafting proficiency
• Persuasive communication skills
• Professional responsibility and ethics

Recognition for Faculty Mentors

The university also acknowledged the contributions of its faculty members and moot court mentors, whose guidance and support helped the students achieve success at the national level. Their mentorship continues to strengthen the culture of advocacy excellence within the institution.

About Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU)

Hidayatullah National Law University was established in 2003 and is among India’s leading National Law Universities.

Key Highlights of HNLU

• Located in Raipur, Chhattisgarh
• Established in 2003
• Recognized for excellence in legal education and research
• Focuses on experiential and interdisciplinary learning
• Encourages innovation and professional skill development
• Promotes national and international academic engagement
• Produces graduates who excel in:
  • Litigation
  • Corporate law
  • Public service
  • Academia
  • Policy-making
  • Legal research

Through its commitment to academic excellence and practical legal training, HNLU continues to strengthen its position as one of India’s premier institutions for legal education.