NLU Jodhpur Wins Inaugural RGNUL–SAM Legislation Drafting Competition 2026
The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab, hosted the inaugural edition of the RGNUL–SAM Legislation Drafting Competition 2026 on March 5, 2026, aimed at promoting legislative drafting skills among law students and encouraging engagement with public policy and lawmaking processes.
The competition witnessed participation from law schools across India, with over 120 teams taking part. Participants were required to demonstrate their analytical abilities, policy understanding, and drafting precision through a legislative drafting exercise designed to simulate real-world lawmaking challenges.
Following a competitive preliminary round, seven teams advanced to the second round, where they presented and defended their drafted legislative proposals before an expert panel. The finalists were evaluated on clarity of drafting, legal coherence, policy effectiveness, and practical applicability.
The final round was adjudicated by a panel from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. (SAM) comprising Kirti Mahapatra, Partner; Alice Sharma, Associate; and Namrata Ramachandran, Partner. The judges shared insights on legislative drafting, statutory interpretation, and implementation of legal frameworks.
The team from National Law University, Jodhpur, consisting of Vanya Monga and Zaid Ali, was declared the Winner. Their submission was commended for its clarity, structural coherence, and strong policy reasoning.
The First Runner-Up position was secured by the team from National Law University, Odisha, comprising Surya Prakash and Shreya Tiwari, whose draft was appreciated for its innovative policy perspective and well-articulated statutory provisions.
The competition was conceptualised to bridge the gap between academic legal training and practical lawmaking by focusing on legislative drafting rather than traditional mooting formats. The organisers emphasised the importance of drafting skills in shaping effective legal systems and enabling students to engage with complex regulatory issues.
The event reflects RGNUL's commitment to fostering academic excellence and practical legal skills, and with its successful inaugural edition, the competition is expected to evolve into a significant annual platform for students interested in legislative and policy work.
The university also expressed gratitude to the judges from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., participating institutions, organisers, and volunteers for contributing to the success of the competition.