NUSRL Ranchi Signs MoU With Vidhi Centre For Legal Policy, New Delhi To Strengthen Research And Policy Development

The MoU was signed virtually, with Prof. (Dr.) Ashok R. Patil, Vice-Chancellor of NUSRL, and Arghya Sengupta, Founder and Research Director of Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, representing their respective institutions. The event saw the participation of Dr. Utkarsh Verma and Ms. Soni Bhola, Assistant Professors at NUSRL along with enthusiastic participation from students. Mahvish Kazmi, Programme Manager of the Kautilya Society, represented Vidhi's perspective during this momentous event.

The Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy is an independent think tank in India, established in 2013, dedicated to legal research and policy reform. Vidhi works closely with the government and public institutions to provide research-driven advice aimed at improving governance and legislative frameworks. Known for its non-partisan approach, Vidhi has contributed to key legislations, advised on public policies, and advocated for repealing outdated or discriminatory laws.

Vidhi addresses a broad spectrum of legal and policy areas, including corporate law, technology, health, and fundamental rights. With regional offices in Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, Vidhi has a strong presence across India, ensuring localized solutions to pressing legal and policy challenges.

An initiative of the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, Kautilya Societies are student-led bodies established in universities across India. These societies aim to provide students with access to legislative drafting, policy analysis, and public policy career opportunities.

First conceptualized in 2019 at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, Kautilya Societies currently operate in eight law schools across various states. Students in these societies actively conduct research to identify gaps in laws, governance, and regulation, producing research reports, parliamentary submissions, and policy recommendations.

The initiative encourages students to engage in public policy discourse through events, discussions, and collaborations with policy professionals. By offering practical experience in drafting laws and policies, Kautilya Societies empower students to contribute to the socio-economic progress of the country while fostering successful careers in fields such as advocacy, consultancy, financial analysis, development, and research..

This collaboration between NUSRL and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi holds immense promise for advancing research in legal and policy frameworks. The MoU is expected to pave the way for collaborative projects, workshops, and internship opportunities, benefiting students and researchers alike.

The partnership also highlights the shared vision of both institutions to bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation, ensuring that the legal landscape is both progressive and inclusive. Notably, this collaboration will contribute to policy framing for the state government, emphasizing the practical impact of research-driven solutions in Jharkhand and beyond.

To ensure the success of the Kautilya Society at NUSRL, the following team has been appointed:

• Faculty Co-ordinator: Dr. Utkarsh Verma (Contact: +91 9472772765)
• Convenor: Gaurav Kumar Mandal (Contact: +91 9142070677)
• Co-Convenor: Sumit Kumar Singh (Contact: +91 7488924785)