RPNLU Prayagraj Announces 2nd International Debate Competition 2026; Registrations Open
Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University (RPNLU), Prayagraj, through its Debate and Discussion Club (DDC), has announced the 2nd International Debate Competition (IDC) 2026, which will be held on 26 September 2026. The competition is open to undergraduate law students from universities in India and abroad. This competition is envisioned as a truly global academic platform that brings together aspiring legal professionals from universities across India and abroad to engage in meaningful dialogue on issues of international importance. By inviting participation from diverse legal systems and cultural backgrounds, the competition promotes cross-border academic collaboration, intellectual exchange, and comparative legal understanding.
Under the leadership of Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Sr. Prof. (Dr.) Usha Tandon, the Debate and Discussion Club has emerged as an active academic platform that promotes critical thinking, public speaking, and informed discussions among students. Through regular debates, workshops, and competitions, the Club encourages students to develop research and advocacy skills beyond the classroom.
The 2nd edition of this competition builds on the success of the first edition held in 2025, which brought together 28 teams from leading law schools across India and abroad. Encouraged by the overwhelming response, the University is organising the second edition to provide students with another opportunity to engage in meaningful debate on important issues of international law and global affairs.
The motion for the preliminary round is:
"Economic Sanctions Have Become Instruments of Geopolitical Coercion Rather Than Lawful Measures Under International Law." Participants will debate the legal, political, and ethical dimensions of economic sanctions and their growing role in international relations. The competition will be conducted in two rounds—a preliminary round followed by a final round featuring the top four teams.
Each university/institution may send one team comprising two speakers, with one speaking for the motion and the other against it. The debate will be conducted in English.
The total prize pool for the competition is ₹75,000, including ₹50,000 for the Winning Team, ₹20,000 for the Runner-Up Team, and ₹5,000 for the Best Speaker.
Registrations will open on 11 July 2026 and close on 25 August 2026. The list of registered teams will be published on 30 August 2026. The registration fee is ₹1,000 per team for Indian participants and USD 20 per team for international participants.
Interested students and institutions can register through the registration link available on the University's website. For any queries, participants may write to ddc@rpnlup.ac.in.
Through the second edition of the International Debate Competition, RPNLU Prayagraj aims to bring together talented law students from different institutions across the globe to exchange ideas, sharpen their advocacy skills, and engage in thoughtful discussions on issues of global importance.
For details, click here for Brochure