Vidhan: The Policy Triathlon 2026 Concludes At IIM Ranchi; Over 200 Students Participate Nationwide
The second edition of Vidhan: The Policy Triathlon 2026, a national-level public policy competition, was held on February 22, 2026, at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ranchi campus. The event was jointly organised by the National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi, and IIM Ranchi.
Vidhan is a student-led interdisciplinary initiative aimed at promoting informed, evidence-based public policy discourse and democratic engagement among students. The competition was conceptualised and executed by student bodies, with the Kautilya Society of NUSRL Ranchi collaborating with Polytrics and Paradox, the public policy clubs of IIM Ranchi.
Nationwide Participation and Evaluation
The 2026 edition received over 200 registrations from students across the country, representing institutions including IIMs, National Law Universities, IITs, NITs, and private universities. Following a multi-stage evaluation process, 11 teams were shortlisted as finalists and presented their policy proposals before an expert jury in the final round.
Valedictory Session
The valedictory session was graced by Shri Deepak Prakash, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha. In his address, he highlighted that the success of public policy should be evaluated not only by its formulation but also by its implementation and tangible impact, particularly on marginalised communities.
Prof. Deepak Srivastava, Director, IIM Ranchi, and Dr. Utkarsh Verma, Assistant Professor, NUSRL Ranchi, also addressed the gathering.
Winners and Awards
The Indian Institute of Management Shillong secured the first prize and was awarded ₹20,000 along with a Manupatra course subscription. The NUSRL Ranchi team secured the second prize, receiving ₹15,000 and a Manupatra course subscription. Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNLU), Patiala, secured the third prize, receiving ₹10,000 along with a Manupatra course subscription.
Institutional Support and Partnerships
Vidhan 2026 was supported by several institutional partners. Think India and Manupatra participated as Knowledge Partners, while the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy and the Association for Democratic Reforms served as Academic Partners. LiveLaw was the Media Partner for the event.
Student Leadership and Coordination
The initiative was originally conceptualised by Gaurav Kumar Mandal, founding convenor of the Kautilya Society, NUSRL Ranchi, in collaboration with Ashish Ranjan and Soham Mondal from IIM Ranchi, under faculty mentorship.
The execution of Vidhan 2026 was coordinated by student teams from both institutions. From NUSRL Ranchi, Sumit Kumar Singh and Divyansh Singh played key roles, along with the Kautilya Society and Think India NUSRL teams. From IIM Ranchi, Jiya Bhatiya and members of the Polytrics and Paradox Clubs contributed to the organisation of the competition.
With growing participation and institutional support, Vidhan continues to serve as a student-driven platform for policy deliberation, fostering engagement at the intersection of law, governance, and public policy.