29th Annual H.M. Seervai Essay Competition
NLSIU
📌 About the Event
The H.M. Seervai Essay Competition is widely considered the “Gold Standard” of undergraduate legal writing in India. Hosted by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, it honors the legacy of H.M. Seervai, one of India’s most influential constitutional jurists and author of the seminal Constitutional Law of India.
ℹ️ Competition Highlights
- Host: NLSIU, Bengaluru.
- Top Prize: The prestigious H.M. Seervai Gold Medal and publication in the National Law School Journal (NLSJ).
- Impact: This competition is a major resume-builder for students eyeing judicial clerkships, litigating chambers, or top-tier LLM programs.
📝 2026 Essay Topic
“A Decade in the Making of the GST (Goods and Services Tax): Gateway to a Single National Market or a Challenge to Federalism?”
This topic requires a deep dive into the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, the role of the GST Council, and the delicate balance of Fiscal Federalism in India.
📅 Critical Timeline
- Submission Deadline: May 30, 2026.
- Status: OPEN. You have approximately two weeks to finalize your research and citations.
📜 Eligibility & Submission Rules
- Eligibility: Currently enrolled students in regular 3-year or 5-year LLB programs across India.
- Authorship: Single-authored only (No co-authorship allowed).
- Word Limit: 7,000 – 10,000 words (inclusive of footnotes).
- Citation Style: OSCOLA (Oxford Standard for the Citation of Legal Authorities).
- Documentation: Must include a Bonafide Certificate signed by the Registrar or Vice-Chancellor of your institution.