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West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences invites submissions for the 3rd NUJS SILP–ILSA Essay Competition 2026, a national-level writing competition focused on contemporary issues in international law and global legal policy.
About the Organisers
The competition is being organised by the Society of International Law and Policy (SILP) at West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences in collaboration with the NUJS Chapter of the International Law Students Association (ILSA) and the NUJS Centre of International Law and Diplomacy. These academic bodies are actively engaged in promoting international legal scholarship and encouraging structured research on evolving global governance frameworks.
SILP has emerged as a prominent student-led academic platform working at the intersection of international law and policy studies. Through initiatives such as its widely recognised SILP Blog, which has been ranked among leading international law blogs, the Society contributes meaningfully to discourse on contemporary developments in public international law, trade regulation, diplomatic relations, and global institutional governance. Its work encourages students to critically analyse international legal structures and their impact on domestic legal systems.
The NUJS Chapter of ILSA complements these efforts by fostering engagement with international legal practice through research collaborations, academic discussions, and capacity-building initiatives. Together with the Centre of International Law and Diplomacy, these institutions aim to create platforms that strengthen analytical writing skills and deepen understanding of international legal processes among students across India.
About the Essay Competition
The 3rd NUJS SILP–ILSA Essay Competition 2026 is a pan-India academic initiative designed to promote rigorous research and structured writing on pressing issues in international law. The competition encourages participants to engage with doctrinal, theoretical, and policy-oriented questions shaping the contemporary international legal order.
Unlike conventional writing competitions that restrict submissions to narrowly defined themes, this competition allows participants to approach international law from interdisciplinary perspectives. Students are encouraged to critically evaluate evolving legal principles governing sovereign conduct, international institutional authority, and transnational regulatory systems. The competition therefore provides an excellent opportunity for participants to explore complex legal debates while strengthening their academic research profiles.
Through this initiative, the organisers aim to cultivate deeper engagement with emerging areas of international law and provide a platform for students to contribute to scholarly discourse on global legal challenges.
Themes for Submission
Participants may submit essays on the following indicative themes:
- The United States and International Law
- Sovereign Immunity under International Law
- The International Law Commission’s work on General Principles of Law recognised by civilised nations
These themes are illustrative rather than exhaustive. Participants are also welcome to submit essays on other contemporary international law topics, including but not limited to international trade law, Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL), global governance institutions, treaty interpretation, environmental regulation, humanitarian law, or emerging technological challenges in international legal frameworks.
This flexibility allows participants to develop original arguments and contribute to evolving debates in international legal scholarship.
Eligibility
The competition is open to students currently enrolled in any law programme at a recognised law school, university, or academic institution in India. Both undergraduate and postgraduate law students are eligible to participate.
The competition is particularly suitable for students interested in academic writing, international legal research, policy analysis, and careers in international organisations, diplomacy, arbitration, or global governance institutions.
Prizes and Publication Opportunities
The competition offers both monetary awards and publication opportunities for selected participants.
First Place: ₹5,000 and Merit Certificate
Second Place: ₹3,000 and Merit Certificate
Third Place: ₹2,000 and Merit Certificate
In addition to these awards, the top ten entries may be considered for publication on the SILP Blog or in a special edited academic volume, subject to editorial review. Publication opportunities significantly enhance academic visibility and are especially valuable for students building research portfolios in international law.
Why You Should Participate
Participation in this competition offers multiple academic benefits. Students gain the opportunity to develop structured research arguments on contemporary international law issues while engaging with doctrinal debates affecting global legal systems. The competition also strengthens legal writing skills and provides recognition through national-level evaluation.
Students preparing for careers in international arbitration, public international law practice, diplomacy, policy research, or academic scholarship will particularly benefit from participating in this initiative. Publication prospects further add value by supporting long-term academic and professional development.
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Important Date
Last date for essay submission: 4 April 2026 (extended deadline)
Participants are encouraged to submit their entries before the deadline to ensure consideration for evaluation and publication opportunities.
Application Procedure
Interested participants must submit their essays through the official Google Form provided below.
For queries, write to:
silp@nujs.edu
