Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) Holds 2nd Convocation Ceremony, 2025

The Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla, concluded its 2nd Convocation Ceremony. The event saw 451 graduating students being conferred degrees across various academic programmes, including B.A.LL.B., B.B.A.LL.B., LL.M., and Ph.D. A total of 327 graduates received their degrees in person, marking a milestone in their academic journeys.

The Convocation Ceremony was graced by the presence of Justice Surya Kant, Judge Supreme Court of India and Chief Guest of the Convocation, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and Special Guest of the Convocation, Justice M.M. Sundresh, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Visitor of Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, who presided over the convocation, Justice R. Mahadevan, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Guest of Honour of the Convocation and Justice Sanjay Karol, Judge Supreme Court of India and former Chancellor, HPNLU. Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh and Chancellor of HPNLU conferred the degrees. All the Judges of H.P. High Court, Justice Rajeev Shakdhar, former Chancellor, HPNLU and many dignitaries of the State were also present at the event.

The 2nd Convocation of Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU) was formally declared open by the Chancellor of HPNLU witnessing the conferment of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to the graduates by the Visitor, Visitor's Nominee, Chancellor, and Vice Chancellor. The Ph.D. in Law degrees were awarded by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Chancellor, and Vice Chancellor. Additionally, the awards of Gold Medals and Fellowship Prizes were presented by the Chief Guest, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Visitor, Visitor's Nominee, Chancellor, and Vice Chancellor. The Founder Vice-Chancellor's Gold Medal for the overall topper in the PG Programme was awarded to Mr. Surya Dev Singh Bhandari for 2021, Ms. Tissy Annie Thomas for 2022, and Ms. Nivedita Sharma for 2023. Ms. Sheenam Thakur, an undergraduate student from the 2018 batch, received the K.K. Luthra Memorial Gold Medal in Criminal Law for being the subject topper, the Sh. Tarsem Kumar Gold Medal as the overall female topper, the Sri Shyam Sunder Goel Memorial Gold Medal for being the overall undergraduate topper, the Founder Chancellor's Gold Medal for being the top Himachal Pradesh domicile student, the Founder Vice-Chancellor's Gold Medal for overall topper, and the Founder Chancellor's Fellowship Prize for being the top law student from Himachal Pradesh. Ms. Aditi Sharma was awarded the Justice Dharam Paul Sood Gold Medal for exemplary performance in Constitutional Law for 2018. Ms. Lipi Aryan received the K.K. Luthra Memorial Gold Medal in Criminal Law for 2019. Ms. Ankita Sharma was honoured with the Sh. Tarsem Kumar Gold Medal, the Sri Shyam Sunder Goel Memorial Gold Medal, and the Founder Vice-Chancellor's Gold Medal for 2019. Ms. Hiaa Sharma was awarded the Founder Chancellor's Gold Medal and the Founder Chancellor's Fellowship Prize among students of Himachal Pradesh domicile for 2019. Mr. Sanchit Sharma received the Justice Dharam Paul Sood Gold Medal for his exemplary academic performance in Constitutional Law for 2019.

The Visitor conferred the Honoris Causa Degree of Doctor of Laws to Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Rajeev Shakdhar for their exceptional contributions to the field of law and their invaluable role in the development of HPNLU.

The Chief Guest for the occasion, Justice Surya Kant, delivered the convocation address, urging the graduates to uphold the values of justice, integrity, and dedication in their professional endeavours. He emphasized the crucial role of law in shaping society and encouraged the new graduates to contribute to a just and equitable world. He emphasized that readiness is not something one acquires in advance but rather emerges through action. He stated that it is through undertaking responsibilities and engaging in the practice of law that one truly becomes prepared. Justice Surya Kant further highlighted the challenges faced by newly inducted advocates in their pursuit of justice, underscoring the importance of perseverance and dedication in navigating the complexities of the legal profession.

The Chief Minister, Shri Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, special guest of the convocation delivered the special address stressed that hard work and honesty are fundamental to achieving success in life. He spoke about the empowering role of law, stating that the study of law instills self-confidence in individuals. The Chief Minister also noted that the economy of the state is on an upward trajectory, citing significant improvements in various sectors. He highlighted the government's initiatives in the field of education, including the establishment of 10 new government boarding schools. Additionally, he discussed the advancements in healthcare, particularly at Indira Gandhi Medical College, and announced plans to set up a drug rehabilitation center in Solan, reflecting the state's commitment to improving the well-being of its citizens.

The presidential address was delivered by Justice M.M. Sundresh, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Visitor, HPNLU, Shimla in which he emphasized the profound connection between lawyers and society. He stated that lawyers, as students of society, must strive to understand the nuances of societal dynamics and their impact on the legal landscape. He underscored the importance of cultivating an inquisitive legal mind, encouraging the graduates to constantly seek knowledge and remain curious about the evolving nature of law and its role in shaping society. Furthermore, he reaffirmed the significance of nature in legal practice, urging the graduates to remain attuned to both the environment and the ethical considerations inherent in the legal profession.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena presented a comprehensive report on the significant achievements and developments within the university. She highlighted the key advancements in the university's infrastructure, focusing particularly on the library and its invaluable role in supporting academic excellence. Prof. Saxena took great pride in the accomplishments of the university's students, particularly in the arena of moot court competitions. She recognized the exceptional performance of the students in national and international moot court events. She emphasized that the university's research initiatives, led by the faculty, have contributed significantly to the academic community and have helped the institution maintain its status as a leading center of learning.

In total, approximately 900 attendees were present at the ceremony, including graduating students, faculty members, legal luminaries, and distinguished guests. The Convocation marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication by the graduates and showcased the university's commitment to shaping the future of the legal profession.