JURISTAS 2026 International Law Essay Competition by Symbiosis Law School, Pune [Online; Prizes Rs 15,000, 10,000 and 5,000; Submit by 2 December 2026]
Symbiosis Law School, Pune.About the competition and the organiser
Symbiosis Law School, Pune, a constituent of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), presents the JURISTAS 2026 International Law Essay Competition. The brochure describes the university as established under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, re-accredited by NAAC with an A++ grade and awarded Category I by UGC.
The competition is part of the DAAD-SDG Project on Implementation of the SDGs: A Comparative Approach in India, Nepal and Germany. It is held in association with Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences (Germany) and Kathmandu University (Nepal).
Theme
The theme of the competition is Beyond Development: Law, Climate Change and the Quest for Sustainability. Essays are written under one of the sub-themes listed below.
Sub-themes
- Environmental Constitutionalism and Sustainable Development
- Legal Responses to Climate Change and the Transition to a Sustainable Economy
- Waste-to-Energy and Sustainable Development: Environmental Protection or Greenwashing
- Sustainable Forest Management Leaving No One Behind: Convergence of International Climate and Sustainable Development Law
- Transnational Cooperation and the Implementation of the SDGs
- SDG 16 and the Rule of Law: Strengthening Justice Institutions for Sustainable Development
- Judicial Activism and Sustainable Development
- Artificial Intelligence, Digital Governance and Sustainable Development: A Comparative Legal Perspective
- Technology and the SDGs: Legal Challenges in Building Inclusive and Sustainable Societies
Who can participate
Participation is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in any institution in India or abroad. Co-authorship is permitted but restricted to a maximum of two individuals per essay.
The organisers reserve the right to refuse any entry that does not comply with the guidelines in the brochure.
Length, format and abstract
- Format: Times New Roman, font size 12, line spacing 1.5.
- Length: not less than 4500 words and not more than 6500 words, including footnotes.
- Abstract: the essay must be accompanied by a 250 word abstract, which is not counted towards the word limit.
Citation and cover page
- All entries must contain footnote citations in Times New Roman, font size 10, single line spacing.
- Footnotes must follow the citation system specified in Harvard Blue Book, 22nd Edition or APA 7th Edition.
- All entries must include a cover page giving the name of the author, institutional affiliation, course and year of study, email address, postal address and contact number.
Anonymity and originality
- No identifying information may be mentioned anywhere in the abstract or the body of the essay. Violation of this rule leads to immediate disqualification.
- The paper must be the original and unpublished work of the author, and must not be in consideration for publication or in a contest elsewhere.
- Plagiarism of any nature attracts immediate disqualification. A similarity index of up to 10% is permitted.
Judging and ownership of entries
Essays are judged anonymously. They are reviewed by a distinguished panel of impartial Judges and Academicians. Once submitted, the essays become the sole intellectual property of Symbiosis Law School, Pune.
Prizes and certificates
- First Place: Rs 15,000
- Second Place: Rs 10,000
- Third Place: Rs 5,000
All participants will be issued participation certificates. Prize money is subject to tax deduction.
How to submit and deadline
Entries are submitted through the Google form linked in the brochure. Please submit before 11.59 PM IST on 2 December 2026, the deadline for submission.
Contact
For further inquiries, write to ilsaessay@symlaw.ac.in.
Important dates
Awards & prizes
A total prize pool of ₹30,000, plus certificates for participants.