About the University
UPES (University of Petroleum and Energy Studies), established in 2003 through the UPES Act of the State Legislature of Uttarakhand, is a leading private university known for its industry-aligned and future-focused education.
Located in Dehradun, UPES offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across diverse disciplines including Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Law, Design, Health Sciences, Liberal Studies, and Media.
The university has received significant national and international recognition. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, UPES was ranked No. 1 among private universities in India for Academic Reputation, and placed 163rd in Asia and 24th in South Asia in the QS Asia Rankings 2026.
In the THE World University Rankings 2026, UPES is placed in the 501–600 global band and ranked 5th in India. As per NIRF 2025, UPES stands 45th in the University category, with 18th rank in Law.
The School of Law, UPES, offers more than 22 programmes and specialisations, including emerging fields such as Disruptive Technologies Law, Sports Law, and Fashion Law.
The institution emphasizes experiential learning, global exposure, and industry integration through collaborations with international universities such as UC Berkeley, Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Ohio State University Moritz School of Law, and the University of Law London.
About the Organization
The Legal Aid Clinic, School of Law, UPES, is dedicated to promoting access to justice and legal awareness in society. The clinic works with the vision of ensuring that justice and legal knowledge are accessible to all sections of society, especially those who are economically or socially disadvantaged.
Through initiatives such as legal literacy programmes, community outreach activities, legal advisory services, and awareness campaigns, the clinic empowers individuals to understand their rights and responsibilities within the legal system.
The clinic operates with the support of student volunteers, faculty advisors, and leadership members, collectively striving to strengthen legal awareness and social justice.
About the Competition
The II National Legal Aid Clinic Excellence Award is being organised by the Legal Aid Clinic, School of Law, UPES, as part of VidhiUtsav’26 (UPES Law Fest) from 10–12 April 2026.
The competition aims to highlight the importance of legal aid in ensuring justice for all, particularly for marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities. It provides a platform for law students and legal aid clinics across India to showcase innovative legal aid initiatives and share best practices.
The competition consists of two major components:
- Annual Report of Legal Aid Clinic / Awareness Committee along with a Policy Proposal
- Presentation of the Report
The objective is to promote collaboration among legal aid practitioners, policymakers, and students while encouraging innovative ideas to improve access to justice in India.
Mode
Hybrid (Online + Offline)
- Online Phase: Submission of the Annual Report and Policy Proposal.
- Offline Phase: Final presentations by the top 6 selected teams at UPES Dehradun.
Only the Top 6 teams will be invited for the offline presentation round.
Eligibility
The competition is open to students associated with any Legal Aid Clinic or Awareness Committee from universities or institutions across India.
Team Composition
- Each team must consist of maximum two members.
- Multiple teams may participate from the same institution.
Report Submission
Teams are required to submit a detailed report highlighting the legal aid practices and initiatives undertaken by their respective universities or institutions during the academic year January 2025 to December 2025. The report must showcase the impact, innovation, and outreach of the legal aid activities conducted by the Legal Aid Clinic.
In addition to documenting these initiatives, each team is also required to propose a policy aimed at strengthening and enhancing legal aid services across the country. The report will be submitted through an online platform, making it accessible to legal aid clinics nationwide.
There is no limit on the number of reports a clinic may submit; however, each report must be prepared and submitted by a team of two participants.
Prizes
- Winner: Rs. 15,000/-
- First Runner Up: Rs. 10,000/-
- Second Runner Up: Rs. 5,000/-
Important Dates
- Registration Opens: 13 January 2026
- Last Date for Registration: 15 March 2026
- Last Date for Report Submission: 18 March 2026
- Result Declaration for Selected Teams: 23 March 2026
- Last Date for PPT Submission: 28 March 2026
- Offline Presentation: 10–12 April 2026
- Final Result Announcement: 12 April 2026 (Note: Offline round dates are tentative and may change.)
Registration Procedure
Participants must complete the online registration form and pay the required registration fee. The link is given at the end of the post.
Registration Fee
- Without accommodation: ₹1500
- Accommodation: ₹900 per person per night (for teams qualifying for the offline round)
Participants qualifying for the offline rounds will receive further instructions regarding presentation submission and accommodation.
Contact Information
For any queries regarding the competition:
- Ms. Kinjalk Chanda, Student Convenor, Legal Aid Clinic, UPES: +91 9685416778
- Ms. Veeksha Murthy, Student Secretary, Legal Aid Clinic, UPES: +91 8800912353
Email: lac@ddn.upes.ac.in
Click here to Register
Click here for the Official Details.
