Essay Competition 2026 – Small Voices: Big Rights | NLUD Chair on Justice for Children
The NLUD Chair on Justice for Children, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Constitutional Law Club, NLU Delhi, proudly announces the 1st National Essay Competition – “Small Voices: Big Rights”. This prestigious competition invites law students across India to explore how constitutional principles shape child protection and juvenile justice in the country.
About the Competition
The interaction of children with the criminal justice system lies at the intersection of:
- Constitutional Law – safeguarding fundamental rights and dignity
- Criminal Law – defining victimhood, protection, and liability
This competition aims to encourage:
- Critical legal reasoning on child rights
- Clear constitutional analysis
- Engagement with justice delivery systems affecting children in India
About NLUD Chair on Justice for Children (with UNICEF)
The Chair is dedicated to strengthening the protection of children within the criminal justice system by:
- Building quality scholarship on child rights
- Supporting effective legal representation for children
- Mentoring future child-rights researchers and lawyers
Guided by Prof. Tasneem Deo, the initiative blends academic research with real-world legal practice to ensure fairness, dignity, and compassion for every child.
About the Constitutional Law Club, NLU Delhi
Founded by students with institutional support from:
- Prof. (Dr.) G.S. Bajpai, Vice Chancellor, NLU Delhi
- Prof. (Dr.) Niraj Kumar, Faculty Advisor
The club promotes a culture of constitutional thinking through:
- Expert lectures
- Curated reading lists
- Student-led discussion forums
Essay Themes
Participants must choose any one of the following topics:
- The Role of Dignity under Article 21 in Shaping Juvenile Justice in India
- The Interplay of Privacy and Protection under POCSO
- Article 39A and Access to Justice for Children
Important Dates
- 📝 Submission Deadline: 1st March, 2026
- 🏅 Declaration of Results: 15th March, 2026
Submission Guidelines
1️⃣ Eligibility & Language
- Open to UG & PG law students from any recognized university in India
- Language: English only
- No co-authorship allowed
- No registration fees
2️⃣ Formatting Rules
- Word Limit: 1500–2000 words (excluding footnotes)
- Font: Garamond, Size 12
- Line Spacing: 1.5, Justified
- Title: Maximum 12 words
3️⃣ Citations & Academic Integrity
- Citation Style: OSCOLA 4th Edition
- Footnotes: Garamond, Size 10, Single spacing
- Plagiarism Limit: Below 20%
- 🚫 Use of Generative AI will lead to disqualification
Awards & Recognition
| Rank | Award |
|---|---|
| 🥇 Winner | Certificate of Merit + Publication in NLUD J4C Newsletter |
| 🥈 Runner-Up | Certificate of Merit + Publication on NLUD J4C Online Opinion Page |
| 📜 Top 10 Entries | Certificate of Merit |
Help
- For queries, contact clc@nludelhi.ac.in
- Phone: +91 77078 83920 (Ms. Siya Maheshwari) | +91 70033 46161 (Ms. Palak Goenka)
