The DPIIT–IPR Chair and CIRF of Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna, in collaboration with S.S. Rana & Co., are inviting registrations for the NLU-DPIIT-IPR National Moot Court Competition 2026. Check the complete details below to apply.
About Chanakya National Law University (CNLU)
The NLU-DPIIT-IPR National Moot Court Competition is hosted by Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna—an institution established in 2006 by the Government of Bihar to advance high-quality legal education, research, and training. Recognised among India’s leading national law universities, CNLU offers a dynamic academic ecosystem supported by experienced faculty, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and specialised research centres.
CNLU focuses on producing legal professionals equipped with strong analytical abilities, ethical grounding, and a deep understanding of contemporary legal issues. The university actively promotes moot court culture, research engagement, and academic excellence through competitive platforms, workshops, and interdisciplinary programmes.
About DPIIT–IPR Chair & CIRF
The DPIIT–IPR Chair at CNLU was established under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. The Chair works to strengthen India’s intellectual property ecosystem by promoting:
- Academic research in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
- Policy-level discussions
- Capacity building activities
- Outreach programmes
- Development of IP awareness
Additionally, the Centre for Innovation, Research and Facilitation (CIRF) at CNLU leads research and incubation initiatives. CIRF aims to build an interdisciplinary environment that promotes technological innovation, entrepreneurial ideas, and knowledge transfer. Together, the DPIIT–IPR Chair and CIRF provide a strong foundation for an IP-focused national moot court competition.
About the Competition
The 1st National IP Moot Court Competition 2025–26, organised jointly by the DPIIT–IPR Chair and CIRF of CNLU, Patna, is themed around one of the most debated areas of contemporary law—Copyright and Artificial Intelligence.
The competition focuses on complex issues such as:
- Authorship of AI-generated content
- Liability frameworks for technological creativity
- Copyrightability of AI outputs
- Legal questions around automated tools
- Policy and ethical issues in the digital era
This inaugural edition is designed to test participants’ understanding of IPR, technology law, statutory interpretation, policy considerations, and litigation skills. Participants will argue issues emerging at the intersection of innovation, law, and artificial intelligence.
Eligibility
The competition is open to:
- Students pursuing 3-Year LL.B. or 5-Year Integrated LL.B. programmes
- Students from any recognised law college/university in India
- Teams consisting of three members (two speakers + one researcher)
More than one team may register from the same institution.
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Mode
Hybrid Mode
Certain rounds or procedures may be conducted online, while others may be held offline depending on schedule and instructions by the organisers.
Event Timeline
| Event | Date / Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | 26 December 2025 |
| Competition Theme | Copyright & Artificial Intelligence |
| Mode | Hybrid |
| Prize Pool | ₹1,20,000 + Internships |
Dates for memorial submission and oral rounds will be provided in the rulebook and official communication by organizers.
Location and Mode
Mode: Hybrid
Venue (for offline rounds): Chanakya National Law University, Patna (as applicable)
Participants will be informed in advance about the structure of online and offline stages. Hybrid format ensures accessibility while retaining the intensity of in-person argument rounds.
Format and Structure
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Size | Three members |
| Rounds | Memorial Submission + Oral Rounds |
| Theme | Copyright & Artificial Intelligence |
| Fee | ₹4,000 per team |
| Memorial Evaluation | As per criteria in rulebook |
| Judging Panels | Academicians, Lawyers & IP Professionals |
The competition includes written memorials and oral argument rounds. Evaluation is based on legal reasoning, interpretation, advocacy skills, research quality, and courtroom etiquette.
Prizes
The competition carries a total prize pool of ₹1,20,000, distributed as follows:
- Winning Team: ₹50,000 + Internship at S.S. Rana & Co.
- Runner-Up Team: ₹40,000
- Best Memorial: ₹10,000
- Best Researcher: ₹10,000
- Best Speaker: ₹10,000
Participants may also receive certificates as per competition norms.
Eligibility & Requirements
To participate in the NLU-DPIIT-IPR National Moot Court Competition, teams must:
- Be enrolled in a recognised LL.B. course
- Form a team of three members only
- Submit the registration form along with proof of payment
- Prepare memorials in compliance with formatting rules
- Adhere to the competition schedule and instructions
Participants must demonstrate strong research skills, understanding of IPR and technology law, and ability to argue complex legal-policy issues.
Additional Highlights
- Exposure to real-world legal issues around AI and copyright
- Opportunity to argue before experts from academia and industry
- Internships for the winning team at S.S. Rana & Co.
- Recognition through multiple award categories
- First-edition event—high visibility and academic value
- Participation certificates for all registered teams
This competition will significantly enhance participants’ advocacy, legal research, and intellectual property law expertise.
Contact Information
For any queries, participants may contact:
- Email: iprmoot@cnlu.ac.in
- Saurabh Kumar: +91 9117195176
- Jayanti Ranjan: +91 9234171082
- Aditya Shivam: +91 8809222261
Registration Procedure
Teams must register for the competition by:
- Filling out the official Google registration form
- Paying the registration fee of ₹4,000
- Awaiting confirmation and allotment of team code
- Following competition instructions circulated thereafter
- Registration Link: Click here to Register
- Brochure: Click here to Download
- Moot Proposition: Click here to Download
- Rulebook: Click here to Download
All submissions, deadlines, and memorial formats must strictly follow the rulebook.
FAQs about the NLU-DPIIT-IPR National Moot Court Competition
1. Who can participate in this moot?
Any student pursuing 3-year or 5-year law degrees at recognised institutions. Each team must consist of three members.
2. What is the theme of the competition?
The theme focuses on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, addressing legal, policy, and technological issues relating to AI-generated works.
3. What is the registration fee?
Each team must pay ₹4,000 at the time of registration.
4. What are the prizes?
Cash prizes worth ₹1,20,000, including ₹50,000 for the winning team and internships with S.S. Rana & Co., along with awards for Best Speaker, Researcher, and Memorial.
5. Will participants receive certificates?
Yes, certificates will be provided to all registered participants as per official guidelines.
6. Is the competition conducted online or offline?
It will be conducted in hybrid mode—with certain stages online and others offline, depending on the schedule.
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