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1st NLIU-CRIL Treaty Drafting & Negotiation Competition 2026 registrations are now open for law students interested in international law, treaty drafting, and diplomatic negotiations.
- About National Law Institute University (NLIU)
- About the Centre for Research in International Law (CRIL)
- About the Treaty Drafting & Negotiation Competition
- Event Timeline
- Location and Mode
- Format and Structure
- Competition Format
- Eligibility & Requirements
- Prize Pool
- Contact Information
- Application Procedure
- Click here to Apply
The competition is organised by the Centre for Research in International Law at National Law Institute University, Bhopal and is designed to simulate real-world treaty negotiations between States.
About National Law Institute University (NLIU)
The 1st NLIU-CRIL Treaty Drafting & Negotiation Competition 2026 is organised by National Law Institute University Bhopal.
NLIU is one of India’s premier law universities, established through an Act of the Madhya Pradesh Legislature in 1997. The university is recognised by the University Grants Commission and approved by the Bar Council of India.
The institution is known for its interdisciplinary approach to legal education and its focus on developing practical skills in research, advocacy, and policy engagement.
About the Centre for Research in International Law (CRIL)
The competition is organised by the Centre for Research in International Law at NLIU.
CRIL focuses on promoting academic engagement with international law, treaty negotiations, and global governance frameworks. Through its initiatives, the centre aims to provide students with opportunities to develop analytical skills and understand international legal processes.
About the Treaty Drafting & Negotiation Competition
The 1st NLIU-CRIL Treaty Drafting & Negotiation Competition 2026 is designed to replicate the real-world processes through which international treaties are negotiated and finalised.
Participants will assume the role of representatives of different States and engage in structured negotiations over a contemporary international issue.
Teams will draft treaty provisions reflecting national interests and participate in negotiation rounds to reconcile competing legal and policy priorities. The competition aims to build skills in international law analysis, negotiation strategy, treaty drafting, and diplomatic dialogue.
Event Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registrations Open | 6 March 2026 |
| Release of Problem Statement | 9 March 2026 |
| Registration Deadline | 25 March 2026 |
| Draft Submission Deadline | 4 April 2026 |
| Announcement of Qualified Teams | 7 April 2026 |
| Final Negotiation Rounds | 11–12 April 2026 |
Location and Mode
Mode: Online
The 1st NLIU-CRIL Treaty Drafting & Negotiation Competition 2026 will be conducted virtually, allowing teams from institutions across India to participate.
Format and Structure
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Written Treaty Draft Submission |
| Stage 2 | Online Negotiation Rounds |
| Teams Qualified for Negotiations | Top 16 Teams |
During the first stage, teams will submit treaty drafts based on the provided problem statement. After evaluation, the top teams will proceed to negotiation rounds simulating diplomatic treaty negotiations.
Competition Format
The competition will include two main stages:
Written Submission Stage
Participants will receive a problem statement outlining an international legal issue and the positions of negotiating States.
Teams must prepare two treaty drafts, representing both sides of the negotiation while incorporating legal reasoning and policy considerations.
Negotiation Rounds
The top 16 teams selected from the written submission stage will participate in online negotiation rounds.
During these rounds, teams will:
- Represent the interests of their assigned State
- Negotiate treaty provisions with opposing teams
- Attempt to reach consensus on final treaty language
This stage simulates diplomatic negotiations commonly seen in international treaty-making processes.
Eligibility & Requirements
The 1st NLIU-CRIL Treaty Drafting & Negotiation Competition 2026 is open to students pursuing law degrees in recognised universities.
Eligible participants include:
- Students enrolled in 3-year LL.B. programmes
- Students enrolled in 5-year integrated LL.B. programmes
Participants are expected to demonstrate strong legal research abilities, drafting skills, and negotiation strategies relevant to international law.
Prize Pool
The competition offers the following awards:
- Winner: ₹15,000 + Trophy
- Runner-Up: ₹10,000 + Trophy
- Second Runner-Up: ₹7,500
- Best Negotiator: ₹5,000 + Trophy
- Best Draft: ₹5,000 + Trophy
Contact Information
For queries related to the competition:
Email: cril@nliu.ac.in
Application Procedure
Participants must complete the registration process in two steps.
Step 1 – Payment
Make the registration payment through the official link.
Step 2 – Registration Form
After completing payment, submit the registration form with the required details and payment confirmation.
Payment Link: Click here
Participants are advised to refer to the official brochure for detailed rules and guidelines.
Click here to download Brochure