Jan Nyaya Mahotsav 2026: Legal Aid Fest on Labour Rights, Eco-Compliance and Access to Justice at DME Law School, Noida [Offline; 3 Competitions]

The Legal Aid Cell of Delhi Metropolitan Education (DME), Noida, in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Gautam Budh Nagar, is organising Jan Nyaya Mahotsav 2026, a two-day legal fest on the theme "Beyond Codes: Human Rights of Labourers, Eco-Compliance and Access to Justice for Victims", on 10 and 11 September 2026 at the DME campus in Sector 62, Noida.

DME was established in 2012 under the Sunshine Educational and Development Society, is affiliated to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), New Delhi, is approved by the Bar Council of India, and is accredited with an A+ grade by NAAC. Its Legal Aid Cell runs free legal aid and legal literacy work in and around the campus under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

The invitation to participating institutions is signed by Hon'ble Mr. Justice Bhanwar Singh, Director General of DME and former Judge of the Allahabad High Court.

The fest is built around the intersection of labour law and environmental protection, and is structured around four stated objectives:

• Critically examining the Labour Codes — whether India's new Labour Codes actually safeguard the rights of workers, particularly migrant workers, women, and those in the unorganised and gig economy, and whether the reforms strengthen or dilute protections relating to dignity, livelihood and fair wages.
• Linking environmental compliance and labour safety — the idea of a "Just Transition", covering industrial hazards, climate-related risks, and the impact of development projects on workers.
• Addressing barriers to access to justice — the effectiveness of labour dispute resolution mechanisms, tribunals and legal aid systems, and the obstacles labourers face in seeking justice, compensation and protection.
• Formulating a Charter of Recommendations — a set of recommendations to guide legislative, administrative and judicial reform on labour rights and environmental governance.

The Mock Lok Adalat gives participants practical exposure to alternative dispute resolution in a simulated setting, focusing on negotiation, mediation and amicable settlement.

• Preliminary and Quarter Final Rounds — theme: Environment Law, on 10 September 2026.
• Semi-Final and Final Rounds — theme: New Labour Codes, on 11 September 2026.
• Eligibility: open to all students currently enrolled in either a 5-year or a 3-year law programme at a recognised law school or university in India. Multiple teams are allowed from a single institution.
• Team composition: 3 members per team.
• Registration fee: Rs 2,500 (early bird) / Rs 3,000 (standard).

The brochure states that the propositions for the Mock Lok Adalat were to be released on 6 July 2026; participants should ask the organisers for the current proposition when registering.

A skit competition based on labour law and environmental law, giving participants a creative platform to raise workers' rights, workplace conditions, environmental protection and sustainability through performance.

• Theme: Free Legal Aid: Law is for all.
• Eligibility: open to school and college students from recognised institutions. Multiple teams are allowed from a single institution.
• Team composition: minimum 8 and maximum 15 members per team.
• Date: 10 September 2026.
• Registration fee: Rs 1,500 for a team of 8 members, plus Rs 200 per additional member.

This competition invites participants to present innovative approaches to legal aid and access to justice, encouraging research, critical thinking and practical solutions for a more inclusive legal system.

• Theme: Voices from the Ground: Labour Rights, Environmental Justice and Access to Justice.
• Eligibility: open to undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in recognised colleges or universities across law and allied disciplines. Each participant or team must be officially registered through their institution or as per the prescribed procedure. An interest in legal aid, access to justice or community initiatives is preferred. Originality is mandatory, and submissions must be the participant's own and not previously published or presented.
• Team composition: minimum 2 and maximum 3 members per team.
• Date: 11 September 2026.
• Registration fee: Rs 799 (early bird) / Rs 899 (standard).

Note: as of 3 August 2026, the organisers had already closed the Google Form for this particular competition, even though the brochure's stated cut-off is 29 August 2026. Contact the student convenors before planning a Best Practices entry.

Each competition has its own Google Form, linked in the Important Links section below. The last date for registration is 29 August 2026, and the last date for early-bird registration is 10 August 2026.

The brochure gives the following account for fee payment:

• Bank: HDFC Bank Ltd, Sector-18, Noida branch
• Account name: Delhi Metropolitan Education
• Account number: 50100187447560 (Savings)
• IFSC: HDFC0001592

The brochure confirms that certificates and special recognitions will be given, and states that exciting prizes and exclusive hampers await, with the details to be announced by the organisers. No prize amounts had been published at the time of listing.