The need for a National Law Universities Students Association

As the number of NLUs grows, so do the challenges these institutions face, particularly with respect to students’ coordination, communication and representation.
National Law University
National Law University
Published on
4 min read

The landscape of legal education in India has witnessed remarkable growth since the establishment of the first National Law University, NLSIU Bangalore, in 1987. The recent additions of the Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University (RPNLU), Prayagraj and India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER), Goa take the tally to 26 participating universities under the Consortium network.

NLUs (National Law Universities) are on a trajectory of expansion and development. However, as the number of NLUs grows, so do the challenges these institutions face, particularly with respect to students’ coordination, communication and representation.

How it started

In April 2024, the Student Bar Association of Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur took the initiative to interlink all the respective student representative bodies of different NLUs with an association named NLUSA (National Law Universities Students’ Association). Official invites were sent to representatives from different student bodies for the first such collective meeting on April 21, 2024. Thereafter. through various deliberations and discussions, a consensus was reached to officially release a statement of intent dated May 3, 2024, pertaining to the establishment of NLUSA.

After the release of the ‘Statement of Intent’, the representatives from different student bodies across NLUs decided to constitute a drafting committee to draft a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ to codify the objectives, structure and functions of NLUSA for better understanding and coordination. The current status is that the ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ has been successfully drafted and subsequently passed by the drafting committee and now it is in the process of being ratified by the respective student bodies of different NLUs.

At the heart of this association are the students who are the primary stakeholders of the institutions. Recognising the diverse nature of student representative bodies across different NLUs, fostering a sense of unity and collective purpose among student bodies is essential. While the nomenclature may vary, the overarching goal remains the same - to serve as representatives of students and advocate for student interests in their respective universities.

Furthermore, recent protests in NLUs underscore the importance of addressing student-related issues through collective action. To tackle these challenges effectively, it is imperative to introduce uniform policies and enhance their execution across all NLUs.

The primary aim of this association is to enhance students' overall experience by sharing best practices, resources and experiences among NLUs. Acknowledging the historical advantage that older NLUs possess in terms of resources and connections, there arises an opportunity for these institutions to generously extend their support to newer counterparts. By leveraging the expertise and infrastructure of established NLUs, we can foster a spirit of collaboration that transcends individual interests, thereby nurturing collective growth and advancement across the NLU network.

Establishing a formalised framework of the NLUSA for collaboration among NLUs is essential to address the challenges faced by students in the legal education sector in India. By adopting a proactive approach to policy implementation, fostering networking opportunities and prioritising students' interests, we can pave the way for a more cohesive, robust and interconnected legal education system and an effective NLU network.

Objectives of NLUSA

The following points draw a broader outline of other objects and reasons behind the formation of NLUSA:

  • The Association aspires to create a formal communication channel between NLU students and their student representative bodies. By fostering a nexus, students and their representatives can collaborate more effectively, exchange ideas and collectively contribute to the growth and advancement of NLUs. This collaboration is essential for better serving the overall interests of students.

  • Emphasising the principle of collective bargaining power, the Association shall seek to amplify the collective voice of NLU students. Through unity, students can advocate for their interests more effectively and address common concerns with a united front.

  • A fundamental purpose of the Association includes facilitating the exchange of ideas among NLUs by providing a platform for dialogue and discussion. It should promote innovation and collaboration, facilitating networking and continuous improvement within the NLU community.

  • The Association commits to extending support to student bodies and individuals within the NLU network. It shall endeavour to provide assistance to promote the welfare and success of all NLUs and their students.

  • The association aims to establish improved communication between committees and centres of NLUs, essential for fostering greater participation and the success of events. The association aims to facilitate better communication channels, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and engaged in relevant activities and initiatives.

Functions of NLUSA

The following functions are not exhaustive and broadly outline the operational guidelines and principles of the Association to ensure effective collaboration and representation among member institutions.

  • Representation and coordination: The NLUSA will comprise representatives from various student bodies across NLUs. Its primary function shall focus on facilitating communication and coordination among NLUs, advocating for the collective interests of students.

  • Non-interference: NLUSA strives to uphold the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of individual student representative bodies. Each NLU student representative body’s autonomy in managing its internal affairs will be respected and preserved.

  • Rotation of chairmanship: To promote fairness and equality, every student representative body shall have the opportunity to hold the chairmanship of NLUSA on a rotational basis as per the period specified in the Memorandum of Understanding ratified by all the member student bodies of the respective NLUs. It serves as a mechanism to facilitate efficient decision-making and leadership transitions within the association.

  • Political neutrality: NLUSA strives to maintain independence from any political influence and avoid aligning with any political ideology. It will operate primarily in the interest of NLU students and be free from external partisan agendas or affiliations.

  • Grievance redressal: NLUSA provides a platform for student representative bodies to voice their grievances. Upon receiving grievances, the Association will engage in deliberations and extend support to address the concerns raised, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual support among the NLU community.

Vikhyaat Maheshwari is a 4th Year Law Student at Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur.

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