3rd NLUO-CLS Essay Writing Competition 2026 – Win Cash Prizes Up to ₹7,500 | Register by August 28
About National Law University Odisha
National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack was established by the Odisha State Legislature in 2008. The university focuses on legal education, research and the development of professional skills among students.
NLUO also supports various research centres and student societies that promote academic discussion and research in different areas of law.
About the Constitutional Law Society
The Constitutional Law Society (CLS), NLUO is an initiative focused on constitutional law and related subjects. Founded in 2018, the society aims to promote research, discussion and informed debate on constitutional issues.
CLS NLUO conducts lectures, seminars, conferences, research projects and other academic activities. The society also encourages students to engage with constitutional questions from both academic and practical perspectives.
About the 3rd NLUO-CLS Essay Writing Competition
The 3rd NLUO-CLS Essay Writing Competition invites students to write on contemporary issues relating to constitutional law and comparative constitutionalism.
The competition has two broad themes. Both themes encourage participants to critically examine constitutional principles, State power, rights and the development of constitutional ideas across jurisdictions.
The competition also offers ₹15,000 in total cash prizes, publication opportunities and certificates.
Who Can Participate?
The competition is open to students pursuing:
- 5-year or 3-year LL.B. programmes
- 1-year or 2-year LL.M. programmes
- Any other undergraduate or postgraduate law degree from a recognised university
Participants can submit their essays through single authorship or co-authorship.
Competition Themes
Theme 1: The Proportionality Test: Rights, Restriction, and Dissent in Constitutional India
This theme focuses on the relationship between constitutional liberty and restrictions imposed by the State.
Participants can examine whether the proportionality test effectively protects constitutional rights or has become a largely formal judicial exercise.
Suggested sub-themes include:
- The threshold for bail under the UAPA and the presumption of guilt
- Regulation of hate speech in India
- Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Morality and decency as restrictions on freedom of speech
- The right to protest, civil disobedience and constitutional morality
Theme 2: Borrowed Constitutions: Transplant, Translation, and Transformation in Comparative Constitutionalism
The second theme examines how constitutional principles and doctrines change when they move between different legal and social systems.
Participants can explore whether constitutional borrowing strengthens constitutional interpretation or creates concerns about legitimacy and local relevance.
Suggested sub-themes include:
- Judicial borrowing and foreign precedent in the Supreme Court of India
- Comparative lessons from cooperative and competitive federalism
- Constitutional amendment procedures
- The use of US First Amendment jurisprudence in Indian free speech cases
- The Directive Principles of State Policy and constitutional borrowing
The themes listed above are not exhaustive. Participants should refer to the official competition brochure for the complete requirements.
Prizes
The competition offers a total of ₹15,000 in cash prizes:
- Winner: ₹7,500
- Runner-up: ₹5,000
- Second Runner-up: ₹2,500
The top three entries will also be eligible for publication on the NLUO-CLS Blog.
Further, all participants will receive certificates.
Essay Formatting Guidelines
Participants must follow the prescribed formatting requirements:
- Font: Times New Roman
- Font Size: 12
- Line Spacing: 1.5
- Alignment: Justified
- Word Limit: 1,500–2,500 words, excluding the abstract
- Abstract: 50–100 words
The manuscript should be submitted in .doc or .docx format.
The essay must not contain the author’s name or other information that identifies the author. The file name should follow the requirements specified in the competition guidelines.
Citations should be provided through hyperlinks. Where hyperlinks are unavailable, authors may use a uniform end-noting method.
The essay must also be grammatically and factually sound, original and plagiarism-free. The use of AI is strictly prohibited.
Submission Guidelines
Participants must submit their manuscripts through the prescribed Google Form.
The submission form requires details such as the participant’s name, email address and contact number. These details should match the information provided during registration.
Participants should also ensure that their manuscript complies with the word limit, formatting requirements and anonymity rules.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Call for Submissions | July 30, 2026 |
| Last Date for Registration | August 28, 2026 |
| Last Date for Submission | September 18, 2026 |
| Declaration of Results | October 18, 2026 |
Registration Fee
The registration fee is:
- Single Authorship: ₹300
- Co-Authorship: ₹500
Participants must complete registration before submitting their manuscript.
How to Register for the Competition
Interested participants can register through the official registration form.
Register for the 3rd NLUO-CLS Essay Writing Competition
After registration, participants can proceed with the manuscript submission.
How to Submit Your Essay
Once registered, participants should submit their completed essay through the official submission form.
Before submitting, check that the manuscript meets the requirements for word count, formatting, abstract, citations and author anonymity.
Submit Your Essay for the NLUO-CLS Essay Competition
Contact Information
For questions or further information about the competition, participants can contact:
Email: editorial.cls@nluo.ac.in
Phone: +91 85828 02714
Final Takeaway
The 3rd NLUO-CLS Essay Writing Competition 2026 offers law students an opportunity to write on important questions surrounding constitutional rights, State restrictions, comparative constitutionalism and constitutional borrowing.
With ₹15,000 in cash prizes, publication opportunities for the top three entries and certificates for all participants, the competition can also help students build their legal writing and research portfolios.
If you are interested in participating, complete your registration by August 28, 2026 and submit your essay by September 18, 2026.
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