The team representing the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, reached the semi-finals of the 33rd M.C. Chagla Memorial Moot Court Competition 2026. The team included Shivam Gupta, Arnav Singh, and Deepraj Gurjar.
NLSIU Bengaluru Team Reaches the Semi-Finals
Shivam Gupta, a legal intern at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, shared the achievement on LinkedIn, describing the competition as an enriching experience. Representing NLSIU Bengaluru alongside Arnav Singh and Deepraj Gurjar, the team advanced to the semi-final stage of the prestigious moot court competition.
The competition offered participants an opportunity to engage with complex constitutional questions and strengthen their legal research, written submissions, and oral advocacy skills.
Moot Proposition on the Appointment of Election Commissioners
The moot proposition examined the constitutionality of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
The issues raised in the proposition included:
- Independence of the Election Commission: The constitutional significance of ensuring an independent body responsible for conducting elections.
- Executive influence in appointments: Questions concerning the role of the executive in the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.
- Free and fair elections: The relationship between the appointment process and the constitutional framework governing democratic elections.
- Constitutional provisions: The relevance of Articles 14 and 324 of the Constitution of India to the issues raised in the moot proposition.
These issues required participants to engage with constitutional principles, institutional independence, and the legal framework governing election administration in India.
Opportunity to Argue Before Senior Advocates
An important aspect of the competition was the opportunity to argue before a bench comprising Senior Advocates Jamshed Cama, Mihir Desai, and Pradeep Sancheti.
According to Shivam Gupta, the experience offered valuable insights into constitutional interpretation and courtroom advocacy. Appearing before experienced members of the legal profession can help law students understand the importance of precise legal reasoning, structured submissions, and effective responses to questions from the bench.
Also Read: SASTRA Law Students Win 1st R. Thandapani Memorial Moot Court Competition 2026
Organisers of the Competition
The competition was organised by the Moot Court Association of Government Law College, Mumbai, and the M.C. Chagla Memorial Trust.
The event brought together law students to engage with constitutional law and develop practical advocacy skills through a competitive moot court format.
Conclusion
The NLSIU Bengaluru team’s journey to the semi-finals of the 33rd M.C. Chagla Memorial Moot Court Competition 2026 marks a notable achievement for Shivam Gupta, Arnav Singh, and Deepraj Gurjar.
Their participation reflects the value of moot court competitions in developing constitutional analysis, legal research, teamwork, and oral advocacy. Congratulations to the team on reaching the semi-finals and gaining an enriching experience in constitutional litigation.
Source: LinkedIn post by Shivam Gupta.
