Hidayatullah National Law University: Forging Up-and-Coming Lawyers

The University aims at disseminating learning and knowledge of law, promoting research and developing a sense of responsibility among students and research scholars and preparing them to serve the society and nation in the field of law by developing skills related to advocacy, legislation, law reforms and other legal services.

A Pioneer in Legal Education

Hidayatullah National Law University was established in 2003 by the Chhattisgarh Government under the Hidayatullah National University of Law, Chhattisgarh, Act, 2003(Act No.10 of 2003) with the motto “Dharma Sansthapanartham” i.e. for the sake of establishing the importance of the laws of eternal values. It is named after none other than Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah, one of the great legal luminaries of India. It is ranked sixth in the list of national law schools in India. It is affiliated to and receives central assistance from UGC and is recognized by the Bar Council of India.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Mishra, Judge, Supreme Court of India is the visitor; Hon’ble Mr. Justice T.B. Radhakrishnan, Chief Justice of High Court of Chhattisgarh is the Chancellor; and Hon’ble Prof. (Dr.) Sukh Pal Singh is the Vice-Chancellor of the University.

It is a fully residential university, built over 65 acres of land located in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh, which offers an array of professional courses including B.A.LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., and Ph.D. The campus is fully Wi-Fi enabled. The circular academic cum administrative building has been built on the design of the Parliament of India and is fully equipped with the state-of-the-art infrastructure . The University has a unique Amphitheatre at its centre. . It has an air-conditioned Conference Hall with acoustic treatment with 21 air-conditioned class-rooms fitted with modern teaching aids and a well-equipped computer lab and a language lab with modern learning tools. . The University has five Moot Court Halls designed to match the high standards of mooting. HNLU has a beautifully designed three-storied library with air-conditioned reading halls which is similar to the library of London School of Economics. It has a varied and rich collection of text books, magazines, journals, reference books, periodicals, e-resources (books/reading materials) and a printing center. The library regularly subscribes useful legal online databases like Westlaw, Manupatra, Heinonline, LexisNexis, SCC Online, JSTOR etc. The campus has all indoor and outdoor sports facilities. Four students have been offered admission to postgraduate courses of law by Harvard Law School for the academic session 2015-16.

Imparting Quality Education

HNLU marches ahead on its quest to provide the students the best possible education so that they can augment their skills and prepare themselves for the real world. The University has a team of highly qualified, proficient and dedicated faculty from diverse backgrounds who wholeheartedly impart knowledge and contribute not only towards the academic development of the students, but also tend to their personal needs through mentoring and consultation. To attain academic excellence and to create a high quality ambience, the University offers its students a thorough, extensive, diverse, innovative and cross-functional curriculum throughout both graduate and post-graduate levels. National and international seminars, conferences, moot court competitions and special guest lectures by eminent academicians and professionals from India and also all over the world, are conducted for the complete development of the students. Students are constantly assessed so that they can realize their true potential and work harder to constantly improve their performance. The student–teacher ratio of this University is one of the best in India.

HNLU has also taken various initiatives to enhance and promote the quality of education which include assisting the Chhattisgarh Government in the drafting of legislations on various matters of social significance, such as the Chhattisgarh Workers Placement Agency (Control) Bill, 2013; the Chhattisgarh Village and Town Security Group Bill, 2013; and the Black Magic Harassment and Prohibition Bill, 2014.

The University’s vision is to develop its five Schools of Excellence to promote advanced learning and research in various specialized areas of law that include: 1)Centre for Environmental Law and Sustainable Development (CELSD); 2)Centre for Labour Laws and Industrial Safety Management (CLLISM); 3)Centre for Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights (IIPR); 4)Centre for Public Policy, Governance and Development (CPPGD); and 5)Centre for Empowerment of Weaker Sections of the Society (CEWSS).

The Pathfinder of HNLU

HNLU has achieved success under the guidance and leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Sukh Pal Singh, the honorable Vice-Chancellor of the University. Under his astute leadership, HNLU conducted CLAT-2013 in a very smooth and successful manner. The media hailed it as the best CLAT conducted so far and reported by saying that “HNLU has cleared all apprehensions by exhibiting good organizing skills and the management has been the best so far”. Various awards have been conferred upon the honorable Vice-Chancellor of the University, such as:

The Best Citizens of India Award, 2016
Bharat Gaurav Award, 2016
Excellence in Education Award” 2015

Financial Aid and Extra-Curricular Activities

To create and maintain a conducive and competitive academic environment, the HNLU provides Rs. 1.00 Crore p.a. to its students for participation in International and National Moot Court Competitions, Seminars and Conferences with the financial assistance of the Government of Chhattisgarh.

Certain other scholarships are also provided in the University with the financial help of the Central and State Government, such as:

Mukhyamantri Medhavi Vidyarthi Yojna by Govt. of M.P
Scheme National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education for STs, being implemented by ministry of Tribal Affairs
Scholarship of Minority Community
State Scholarship
Scholarship for Differently abled Students
Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region
Central Sector Scholarship Scheme

To maintain a balance between education and extra-curricular activities, the University conducts many seminars and events to boost up the confidence and morale of the students, and also conducts its annual cultural and sports extravaganza ‘Collosus’ in the month of February which witnesses participation from universities across the country.

Career Opportunities and Exposures for Students at HNLU

HNLU provides placement opportunities in major law firms and organizations for its students. It has set an example in the field of placement during the academic session 2016-17, when 57 students out of 73 students were placed with various companies, law firms and government departments. Students were even recruited by Government of Chhattisgarh as Legal Assistants. Some of the renowned recruiters include firms like Amarchand Mangaldas, Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan, Trilegal, Khaitan & Co, Wadia Ghandy & Co., AZB & Partners, Quislex and ICICI Bank. Eleven pass out students of HNLU have cleared PCS (Judiciary) examination in the year 2017. Many students of HNLU are selected in the prestigious Chhattisgarh Judicial Services examination conducted by Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission. They have even cleared Examinations of State and Union Public Service Commission. One student of HNLU presides over the Chair of Round Table, which delegates on “Protection of the Environment” in Rome, Italy. He was the only student from all over India who has been given this prestigious honour.