2nd Kautilya Society, HNLU Essay Writing Competition, 2025 (Submit by Oct 25)

About HNLU

Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) is a premier institute for legal education and research and is in its 21st year of establishment. The University’s motto “Dharma sansthapanartham” translates to ‘for the sake of establishing the primacy of laws of eternal values.’ In line with this ethos, HNLU strives to provide advanced legal education that shapes students into more than just legal professionals; it instils in them a profound responsibility to contribute to society.

About Kautilya Society, HNLU

Kautilya Society are student initiatives in universities across the country to empower young minds to explore public policy as a career path. In 2020, pursuant to an MOU with the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi, the Kautilya Society was established at HNLU to offer students opportunities for deeper engagement in legislative drafting and policy analysis. The Kautilya Society at HNLU has demonstrated its commitment to impactful projects through the development of working papers and research reports. Furthermore, the society actively engages students through various initiatives.

About School for Law & Technology, Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies

The School of Law and Technology (SLT) is the Research Hub of HNLU, which is mandated with research, teaching, and advocacy in the fields of intellectual property, privacy & data protection, cyber security, digital commerce, artificial intelligence, and policy impact on trade, commerce, & society. The school and its centres undertake research projects on the policy and practice of the above segments of the technology & law interface.

The Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies promotes research and analysis on international trade policies and IPRs within the framework of the WTO and WIPO. It aims to advance knowledge in these crucial domains, facilitate informed policymaking, and promote global cooperation to address interconnected issues.

Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur, through its Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies, School of Law & Technology, has consistently been at the forefront of International Trade Law. Since its inception, the Centre has organised several impactful programs, including:

• The HNLU – SICI International Conference on “International Trade in Marine Life and Fisheries” (2023)
• The HNLU-UNCITRAL RCAP International Symposium on “Global Trade Dynamics: Digital Economy and the Rule of Law” (2024)
• Furthermore, the WTO chairs program includes:
• The First International Capacity Building Programme and Research Summit on “75 Years of Multilateral Trading System: Past, Present & Future Discourse” (2023), and
• The International Certificate Program on “Sustainable Trade and Environmental Governance” (2025).

About DGS Associates Firm

DGS Associates, established in 2004, is a full-service law firm with offices in New Delhi and Guwahati, India. The firm provides a range of legal services to a diverse clientele, including international and domestic clients, corporations, and individuals.

Key services include:

• Corporate and Commercial Law: Assisting with company formation, mergers, and acquisitions.
• International Trade: Advising on matters such as anti-dumping and safeguards law.
• Dispute Resolution: Handling litigation and arbitration.
• Specialised Legal Practices: Offering expertise in areas such as Intellectual Property Rights, and Labour and Employment Law.

DGS Associates serves a variety of sectors, including infrastructure (e.g., civil aviation, highways, real estate), technology, and non-governmental organisations. The firm is committed to providing efficient and solution-driven legal services.

About 2^nd Kautilya Society, HNLU Essay Writing Competition, 2025

Building upon the resounding success of the inaugural Kautilya Society, HNLU Essay Writing Competition, organized in collaboration with the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi HNLU’s Kautilya Society proudly presents the Second Kautilya Society, HNLU Essay Writing Competition. This esteemed event is designed to foster deep intellectual engagement and stimulate insightful discourse. While the first edition delved into the critical policy reforms necessitated by the pandemic era, the second edition will explore the evolving landscape of trade law, policy, and development in its aftermath.

This competition is organised by HNLU’s Kautilya Society in collaboration with the Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies, School of Law Technology, and DGS Associates Firm.

Theme

The Geopolitical Tightrope: India’s Trade Policies and Regulations in a Polarized World

Sub-themes

Participants are invited to explore the following sub-theme:

1. Digital Trade and E-Commerce: Challenges and Opportunities in The Evolving WTO Framework
2. Food Security and Trade Law: Navigating WTO Agreements in Times of Global Crisis
3. Intellectual Property Rights and Public Health: Evaluating the TRIPS Waiver Post-Pandemic
4. International Trade Dispute Resolution: The Role of Arbitration in India
5. Making Global Trade Gender-Inclusive: Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment Through International Trade Law
6. Reshaping India’s Trade Policy in the Post-COVID World
7. Sustainability and Trade: Balancing Growth with Environmental Responsibility
8. Trade Liberalization vs. Protectionism: Finding the Right Balance for India

Note: The sub-themes are suggestive and not exhaustive. Essay not covered in the above sub-themes but relevant to the thrust area may also be considered.

Rules of the competition

• There is no registration fee for the Competition.
• The Competition is open to all students enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme in any discipline in any university duly recognised in India.
• Late submissions shall not be accepted under any circumstances.
• No part of the essay should contain any form of identification of the participant such as the name of the author, University/College name, etc. in the essay.  Any form of identification will lead to disqualification.

Submission Deadline

25^th October 2025, 23:59 (IST)

Submission Guidelines

Click Here to Submit.

• All submissions must be made only through the following google form link/ QR.
• The essay must be written in English and submitted in Microsoft Word document format (.doc/.docx).
• Co-authorship up to a maximum of two authors is permitted.
• Only one submission is allowed per author/team. Submissions, both as co-author and single, will be treated as multiple submissions and will be disqualified as an entry to the competition.
• The word limit is 2500-3000 words excluding footnotes.
• Footnotes must follow the Bluebook system of citation (Harvard, 20th edition). Extensive footnotes or quotations should be avoided.
• The essay must be original and bonafide work of the participant.
• Incomplete or plagiarised submissions shall be summarily rejected.
• The similarity percentage must not exceed 10% (excluding footnotes).
• The essay should not be submitted for any other competition and/or for any other purposes.

Formatting Criteria

• Main Body: Font – Times New Roman, Font Size – 12, and Line Spacing -1.5
• Footnotes: Font – Times New Roman, Font Size – 10, and Line Spacing – 1.0
• Margins should be 1 inch or 2.54 cm on all sides

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation of all submitted essays will follow a double-blind peer review process to ensure impartiality and fairness. This process will be conducted in two distinct stages:

Stage 1: Technical and Relevance Screening

• It will focus on ensuring compliance with the competition guidelines which includes check for: Similarity Percentage, Uniform Mode of Citation and Formatting Guidelines etc.
• Essays that pass the technical assessment will proceed to an evaluation based on their alignment with the competition theme and assessed on the basis of Clarity, Originality. Structure, Organization and Language Proficiency.

Stage 2: External Peer Review and Winner Selection

The top 5 essays identified through Stage 1 will be forwarded to external evaluators for assessment of each shortlisted essay based on the criteria mentioned in Stage 1.

Miscellaneous

1. Any copyright infringement/plagiarism shall result in automatic disqualification.
2. By entering the Competition, the participants agree to indemnify the organisers from and against all claims, suits and damages based on any claim of copyright infringement or plagiarism or unauthorised use.
3. The organisers reserve the right to recall any prize if it is discovered later that the essay suffered from any copyright infringement/plagiarism.
4. The essay shall be considered to be a property of the Kautilya Society, HNLU, which reserves the right of publication of the same as it may deem appropriate.
5. Any further publication after the declaration of results shall only be pursued after express permission from the organisers.
6. The winners of the Competition authorise the organisers to use their names and photos, if required, for the purpose of publicising the Competition and its results.
7. If there arises any situation that is not contemplated in the rules, the organisers’ decision on the same shall be final and binding. The administration of the Competition, including determining the eligibility of any participant or essay, evaluation of essay, and awarding of the prizes, is within the sole discretion of the organisers.

Prizes

Cash Prizes:

• 1st Position: ₹15,000
• 2nd Position: ₹12,000
• 3rd Position: ₹8,000
• 4th Position: ₹6,000
• 5th Position: ₹4,000

• Top 3 entries will be given a hybrid internship opportunity with the DGS Associates firm, contingent on the availability of slots and firm’s selection process.
• Top 5 entries will be given a remote internship opportunity with the Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies, School of Law and Technology, HNLU Raipur based on CV and Statement of Purpose.
• E-Certificates of Appreciation will be awarded to top 10 participants.
• E-Certificates of Participation will be issued to all the registered participants.

Timeline

• Release of Brochure – 10^th September 2025
• Submission Deadline – 25^th October 2025 (11:59 PM)
• Communication of Results – Second week of December 2025

Contact Information

Ashlesha Pandey (Convenor, Kautilya Society, HNLU): +91 9717588866

Vrinda Chaturvedi (Co-convenor, Kautilya Society, HNLU): +91 6392873050

For more information, please write at ksociety@hnlu.ac.in.

The official notification is here.