What National Moot Winners Do Differently: Inside the Dastur Moot Winners’ Journey
Every moot victory has a story beyond the trophy. This week, we spoke with the winners of the 9th The Dastur National Direct Tax Moot Court Competition, 2026. The competition was organised by Government Law College, Mumbai, in association with The Chamber of Tax Consultants.
Meet the Winning Team
Asmi Chandrakar (Researcher), Devesh Mishra, and Rashleen Saluja are third-year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) students at Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur. They competed against some of the country’s finest mooters on a challenging proposition, where both sides held equally strong arguments. Despite this, the team showed that success comes down to consistency, preparation, and collaboration.
How Their Preparation Began
Their journey started with a strong research foundation, led by researcher Asmi. The speakers then built on this by thoroughly understanding every aspect of the memorials. This helped them maintain complete command over the proposition throughout the competition.
What Made the Difference
Beyond research, the team credits several factors for their win. These include rigorous oral practice, repeated practice rounds under an experienced coach, and constructive feedback from mentors. Unwavering teamwork tied it all together. According to the team, research, drafting, advocacy, and teamwork stay inseparable in mooting. However, it was their speaking skills, sharpened through continuous practice, that ultimately made the difference.
Advice for Aspiring Mooters
The team’s advice for new mooters is refreshingly simple. Build a habit of reading quality material, and strengthen your fundamentals early. Find teammates who will support you through every stage of the competition. Most importantly, never wait for the “perfect” moment to begin.
Interestingly, this was the first Dastur Moot for all three team members. Their win proves there is no perfect way to start mooting. What truly matters is diligence, consistency, and the willingness to put in the work when the opportunity comes.
Why This Story Matters for Law Students
This Dastur Moot winners’ story offers a clear lesson for law students preparing for their first competition. You don’t need years of mooting experience to win a national-level event. You need strong fundamentals, a supportive team, and consistent practice.
Explore More Resources
Want to build the skills this team relied on? Check out our Complete Moot Court Guide for a full breakdown of memorial drafting, oral advocacy, and mooting fundamentals.
Have questions about preparing for your first moot? Ask a mentor directly on The LawCademy’s QnA Mentorship Segment for real, practice-based guidance.
