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National Law Institute University, Bhopal is inviting registrations for the 1st NLIU–CRIL Treaty Drafting and Negotiation Competition, 2026, aimed at developing practical skills in treaty drafting, diplomatic negotiation, and international legal reasoning.
About the Organiser
The competition is being organised by the Centre for Research in International Law (CRIL) at National Law Institute University, Bhopal. CRIL is a student-run academic body dedicated to promoting research, dialogue, and engagement in international law and global policy developments. Over the years, the Centre has contributed significantly to international law scholarship through lectures, academic publications, newsletters, and collaborations with experts and institutions working in international legal practice.
Through its flagship journal and regular academic initiatives, the Centre aims to bridge the gap between theoretical international law and real-world diplomatic and policy challenges. Its weekly international law updates and curated newsletters ensure that students remain connected with contemporary developments in global governance and treaty-making processes.
Established in 1997, National Law Institute University, Bhopal is among India’s premier National Law Universities and is widely recognised for its strong academic ecosystem combining doctrinal learning with experiential training through moots, research centres, policy initiatives, and national-level academic competitions.
About the Competition
The 1st NLIU–CRIL Treaty Drafting and Negotiation Competition, 2026 is designed to provide participants with a realistic simulation of international treaty-making processes. Unlike conventional moot court competitions, this competition focuses on bilateral treaty negotiation and drafting exercises that reflect the actual mechanisms through which States regulate international relations and address global challenges.
Participants will assume the role of State representatives negotiating treaty provisions on a contemporary international issue. Teams will prepare treaty drafts representing both negotiating sides and participate in structured negotiation rounds aimed at reconciling competing policy interests and producing mutually acceptable treaty language.
The competition therefore combines legal drafting, negotiation strategy, diplomatic communication, and policy analysis into a single integrated exercise. It is particularly valuable for students interested in careers in international law, diplomacy, treaty negotiation, public policy, and global governance institutions.
Competition Structure
The competition will be conducted in two major stages consisting of written submissions followed by online negotiation rounds.
In the first stage, teams will receive a detailed problem statement outlining the subject matter of the proposed treaty along with positions of the negotiating States. Based on this background brief, each team must prepare treaty drafts representing both sides of the negotiation process.
Following evaluation of written submissions, the top sixteen teams will qualify for the negotiation rounds. During the preliminary negotiation sessions, each team will represent both negotiating States once to ensure balanced assessment of drafting ability and negotiation performance.
The competition will then proceed through quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place round, and the final negotiation round where the top teams will negotiate the final treaty provisions.
This structured format ensures comprehensive evaluation of participants’ analytical ability, drafting precision, negotiation strategy, and collaborative problem-solving skills.
Eligibility and Team Composition
The competition is open to students currently enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at recognised universities and academic institutions across India.
Participation is permitted only in teams consisting of a maximum of two members. Cross-institutional teams are allowed, and there is no restriction on institutional representation. Students from different universities or academic programmes may therefore collaborate and participate together.
This flexible eligibility structure encourages wider participation from students interested in international law and treaty negotiation exercises.
Registration Fee
Teams are required to pay an initial registration fee of ₹1,000 at the time of registration.
Teams qualifying for the second stage of the competition, namely the online negotiation rounds, must pay an additional fee of ₹1,500 per team.
These fees provide access to competition materials including the problem statement, drafting instructions, and participation in negotiation rounds.
Important Dates
Registrations open: 6 March 2026
Registration deadline: 25 March 2026
Deadline for submission of treaty drafts: 4 April 2026
Declaration of qualifying teams: 7 April 2026
Final negotiation rounds: 11–12 April 2026
Participants are encouraged to complete registration early to allow sufficient time for preparation of written treaty drafts.
Prize Money and Awards
The competition carries a total prize pool of ₹42,500 along with trophies and certificates recognising excellence in drafting and negotiation.
Winner: ₹15,000 and trophy
Runners-Up: ₹10,000 and trophy
Second Runners-Up: ₹7,500
Best Negotiator: ₹5,000 and trophy
Best Draft: ₹5,000 and trophy
All registered participants will receive certificates of participation. Teams qualifying for negotiation rounds will receive certificates of appreciation, while winning teams and special award recipients will receive certificates of merit.
These recognitions make the competition particularly attractive for students seeking specialised exposure to treaty drafting and negotiation skills.
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Who Should Participate
This competition is especially suitable for:
Students interested in international law and treaty practice
Participants preparing for careers in diplomacy and foreign policy
Students exploring arbitration and international dispute resolution
Researchers working on global governance frameworks
Law students seeking drafting-focused competitions beyond mooting
Participants will gain practical exposure to international legal negotiation frameworks rarely covered in traditional academic competitions.
Application Procedure
Teams must first complete payment through the official NLIU portal by selecting “1ST NLIU-CRIL TREATY DRAFTING AND NEGOTIATION COMPETITION” under the payment details.
After completing the payment process, teams should save the receipt and submit the official registration form.
For queries, participants may contact:
cril@nliu.ac.in
