ILPS, NLUO Essay Writing Competition 2026 on Third World Approaches to International Law
The International Law and Policy Society (ILPS) has announced the 4th ILPS Essay Writing Competition 2026, inviting undergraduate and postgraduate law students to explore contemporary challenges in international law through the perspective of the Global South.
The central theme of the competition is “Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL): Rethinking the Discipline from the Global South.” The competition encourages students to critically examine the influence of colonialism, economic inequalities, selective enforcement of international law, and the representation of developing countries within the international legal system.
About the ILPS Essay Writing Competition 2026
The competition provides law students with an opportunity to conduct legal research and present original arguments on important international law and policy issues.
Key details include:
- Organiser: International Law and Policy Society (ILPS)
- Edition: 4th ILPS Essay Writing Competition
- Theme: Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL): Rethinking the Discipline from the Global South
- Eligibility: Undergraduate and postgraduate law students
- Mode: Online essay competition
- Registration Opens: September 2, 2026
- Registration Deadline: September 20, 2026
- Essay Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026
- Results: First week of October 2026
Suggested Themes for the Essay
Participants can examine different dimensions of international law and its relationship with the Global South. Suggested areas include:
- Sources of international law and colonial-era influences.
- International trade and debt dependencies.
- The position of developing countries in investment arbitration.
- The retreat of Global South states from investment arbitration mechanisms.
- Selective enforcement and double standards in international law.
- Exploitation and governance of shared global resources.
- Contemporary challenges faced by developing countries in international legal institutions.
- TWAIL perspectives on the development and application of international law.
Students may use these themes as a starting point while developing an independent and well-researched argument.
Registration Fee
The competition has separate registration fees depending on the number of authors:
- Single Author: ₹250
- Co-Authorship: ₹400
- Maximum Co-Authors: 2
Participants should carefully review the competition guidelines and submission requirements before registering.
Prizes and Recognition
The competition offers a total prize pool of ₹15,000.
- Winner: ₹7,500
- Runner-up: ₹5,000
- Second Runner-up: ₹2,500
- All Participants: Certificate of Participation
- Top 5 Entries: Certificate of Merit
- Top 10 Entries: Opportunity for publication on the ILPS Blog
The publication opportunity can provide selected participants with an additional platform to showcase their legal research and academic writing.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | September 2, 2026 |
| Registration Closes | September 20, 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | September 30, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | First Week of October 2026 |
About the International Law and Policy Society
The International Law and Policy Society (ILPS) is an academic initiative associated with the study and discussion of international law and policy. It provides students and researchers with opportunities to engage with contemporary issues through academic activities, legal writing, discussions, and research-oriented initiatives.
Through events such as essay competitions, ILPS encourages students to examine international legal questions from diverse perspectives. Its focus on issues concerning international law, policy, developing countries, and the Global South provides students with a platform to critically evaluate established approaches within the discipline.
How to Register
Interested students can register for the 4th ILPS Essay Writing Competition 2026 through the registration link provided by the organisers. Participants should also consult the official competition brochure for detailed rules, eligibility conditions, formatting requirements, and submission instructions.
- Brochure: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-KysNtS06eYMX2mS_4DCKY2qyFdNReW3/view
- Registrations : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaCOGrQlaosn7RHaFZ9KgppMRO7RPC213TnCbjbnPaZEMyNQ/viewform
For queries, participants can contact ILPS at ilps@nluo.ac.in.
Share this Post
