NYAYATECH Conclave 2026 will be held at Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur, on October 10–11, 2026.
About Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur
Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur (DNLU), was established in 2018 under the Madhya Pradesh Dharmashastra National Law University Act. The university focuses on value-based legal education, research and advocacy skills.
About the Opportunity
NYAYATECH Conclave 2026 is organised by Vidhimitra, the Legal Aid Cell of DNLU, in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (MPSLSA). The conclave explores the intersection of justice and technology, particularly in legal aid, public interest litigation, dispute resolution and access to justice.
The conclave features a Paper Presentation Competition, App Development Competition, Socio-Legal Challenge, PIL Drafting Competition and Lok Adalat Simulation, along with a Round Table Conference and expert Panel Discussion.
Paper Presentation Competition
The theme is “Building an Inclusive Digital Justice System for New India.”
Suggested sub-themes include:
- Role of e-courts in improving access to justice.
- Digital divide and exclusion in justice delivery.
- Online Dispute Resolution (ODR): opportunities and risks.
- Cyber law, privacy and data protection in judicial systems.
- AI in courts: ethics, accuracy and accountability.
- Technology-driven legal aid and community outreach.
- Public interest litigation in the digital age.
- Legal tech start-ups and innovations for justice delivery.
Participants must first submit a full research paper, followed by a final presentation and Q&A.
The paper must be 2,500–3,500 words, accompanied by a 300–400-word Policy Recommendation section. Papers must follow Times New Roman, 12-point font with 1.5 line spacing, while footnotes must be in Times New Roman, 10-point font with single spacing. The latest edition of Bluebook citation style is required.
Papers must be original and unpublished. Plagiarism or AI-generated content above 10% will result in disqualification. A maximum of two authors is permitted.
The winner will receive Rs. 20,000 and a Certificate of Merit, while the runner-up will receive Rs. 10,000 and a Certificate of Merit. Selected papers will be compiled and published in an ISBN-bearing book volume titled Legal Aid Review NYAYA: A Legal Aid Review, Volume I – Digital Justice and Inclusion.
App Development Competition
The theme is “Technology for Accessible Legal Aid and Digital Justice.”
Participants may develop solutions such as legal aid helpdesks, legal guidance tools, lawyer-beneficiary platforms, grievance tracking tools, ODR applications, legal-rights awareness portals, accessibility tools and community-support platforms.
The preliminary round requires a concept note and wireframes or mock-ups, followed by a live demonstration and Q&A. A prototype or working demo is mandatory. Participants may use programming frameworks, low-code tools or AI.
The winner will receive Rs. 1,00,000 and a Certificate of Merit, while the runner-up will receive Rs. 50,000 and a Certificate of Merit.
Socio-Legal Challenge
Teams must identify a real socio-legal problem within a 250 km radius of their institution and develop a practical intervention plan based on empirical research, with emphasis on technology and accessible justice.
A concept note will be followed by a detailed report for shortlisted teams and a final presentation. The report must be 3,000–4,000 words.
The winner will receive Rs. 20,000 and a Certificate of Merit, while the runner-up will receive Rs. 10,000 and a Certificate of Merit.
PIL Drafting Competition
Participants must submit a complete PIL in the proper Supreme Court or High Court format, including annexures and prayers.
The submission must be in English, use Times New Roman 12-point font and 1.5 line spacing, with 10-point single-spaced footnotes. Relevant laws, notifications or credible reports must be attached, and anonymity must be maintained.
The competition is open to individual participants or teams of up to two members.
The winner will receive Rs. 20,000 and a Certificate of Merit, while the runner-up will receive Rs. 10,000 and a Certificate of Merit.
Lok Adalat Simulation
Each team must consist of exactly three members: one Neutral Panel Member, one Counsel and one Client.
The preliminary round will involve a written conciliation plan, followed by final rounds at the DNLU campus.
The winner will receive Rs. 30,000 and a Certificate of Merit, while the runner-up will receive Rs. 20,000 and a Certificate of Merit.
Eligibility Criteria
- Paper Presentation: Academicians, advocates, research scholars and students; maximum two authors.
- App Development: Teams of 1–3 members.
- Socio-Legal Challenge: Two members presenting; teams may include a maximum of two senior researchers and 10 junior researchers.
- PIL Drafting: Individual participation or maximum two members.
- Lok Adalat Simulation: Exactly three members.
Registration Fees
For selected participants, the preliminary registration fee will be deductible from the final-round registration fee.
- Paper Presentation: Rs. 1,000 preliminary fee; Rs. 1,500–6,500 final-round fee.
- App Development: Rs. 3,000 preliminary fee; Rs. 5,000–17,000 final-round fee.
- Socio-Legal Challenge: Rs. 1,500 preliminary fee; Rs. 2,500–5,500 final-round fee.
- PIL Drafting: Rs. 1,000 preliminary fee; Rs. 3,000–7,500 final-round fee.
- Lok Adalat Simulation: Rs. 1,500 preliminary fee; Rs. 6,000–9,000 final-round fee.
Final-round fees vary according to category, team size, authorship and accommodation.
Important Dates
The Paper Presentation abstract submission deadline is September 14, 2026, with the full paper due by September 30, 2026.
The App Development concept submission deadline is September 13, 2026, with final submission due by September 30, 2026.
The Socio-Legal Challenge concept note is due by September 13, 2026, while the final submission is due by October 2, 2026.
The PIL Drafting Competition and Lok Adalat Simulation submissions are due by September 25, 2026.
The conclave will take place on October 10–11, 2026.
Location
The conclave will be held at BRBRAITT Campus, Ridge Road, South Civil Lines, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482001.
Contact
Ms. Isha Mehrotra (Convenor): +91 89570 32093
Ms. Alfishan Nayab (Co-Convenor): +91 87709 41031
Email: legalaid@mpdnlu.ac.in
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Application Procedure
Interested participants may register through the official registration process and complete the applicable preliminary submission and payment requirements for their chosen competition.
The relevant submission deadline for each competition must be followed.
