6th RGNUL National Negotiation Competition 2026 by CADR, RGNUL Punjab (Hybrid; Online Prelims 25 Oct, Advanced Rounds at Patiala 21-22 Nov)

The Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CADR), Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab, together with the Dr. P.C. Markanda Chair on Alternative Dispute Resolution, is organising the 6th RGNUL National Negotiation Competition, 2026, in collaboration with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. (Principal Knowledge Partner), Markanda Advocates (Knowledge Partner) and the Justice K.P. Bhandari Foundation, Chandigarh (Chief Advisory Partner).

The previous five editions were held between 2021 and 2025. The fifth edition took place online from 7 to 9 November 2025.

RGNUL Punjab is a national law university established in 2006. CADR was set up in 2018 to promote the study and practice of alternative dispute resolution among students and researchers through workshops, seminars and research. The Dr. P.C. Markanda Chair on ADR honours the late Advocate Dr. P.C. Markanda, a leading arbitration lawyer.

• The competition is held in hybrid mode.
• Two preliminary rounds are held online on 25 October 2026.
• The quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals are held in person at the RGNUL campus, Patiala, on 21 and 22 November 2026.
• Each two-member team has a Client and a Counsel. Each member must play both roles at least once during the preliminary rounds.
• The team cannot be changed once it has been communicated to the Organising Committee.
• The General Information (problems) for Preliminary Rounds I and II is published on the official competition page.

Any student enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate law degree programme in a university recognised by the Bar Council of India as on 1 September 2026 may participate.

Each university is represented by two students: one Client and one Counsel. A university that wants to send more than one team must tell the organising committee. CADR-RGNUL alone decides how many slots each university gets, and that decision is final and binding.

• Registration fee: Rs 8,000 per team (plus GST).
• Teams that qualify for the Advanced Rounds pay a further Rs 4,000 per team (plus GST). This also covers accommodation for the team during the Advanced Rounds.
• Fees are non-refundable once paid.

Institutions first express interest by filling in the Provisional Registration Form (sign-in with a Google account is required). The official brochure and the CADR website give the provisional registration deadline as 8 October 2026 and the final registration deadline as 20 October 2026.

Clarifications on the problems must be submitted by 17 October 2026, 11:59 PM, and Negotiation Plans by 22 October 2026, using the forms on the official competition page.

Awards are given to the Winners, the Runners-up, the Best Negotiator (highest individual score in the Preliminary Rounds) and the Best Negotiating Plan (highest average score across the two Negotiation Plans in the Preliminary Rounds). All participating teams get a certificate of participation. The brochure says that cash prizes and internship opportunities will be awarded, with specific details to be released later.