Dive into Capital Punishment: Online Course by NLUD’s Project 39A

Project 39A at the prestigious National Law University, Delhi (NLUD) is offering an insightful and comprehensive online certificate course focused on capital punishment in India. Spanning two months, this course promises an in-depth exploration of the death penalty, integrating both theoretical and practical dimensions.

Contents

Course Structure and Highlights

The course is scheduled to take place over weekends from September 12 to November 1, 2026. These live online sessions are meticulously designed to offer participants a profound understanding of capital punishment within the Indian context. The curriculum aims to equip attendees with the essential doctrinal knowledge and practical skills for advisory roles, litigation, research, and policy-making in this critical area of law.

Capital punishment, the ultimate irreversible penalty, has seen significant evolution, especially following updates to criminal law codes. Despite its importance, structured, practice-oriented training in this domain is rare, making this course a unique opportunity for legal enthusiasts.

What Makes This Course Stand Out?

Comprehensive Curriculum: The course covers various dimensions of capital punishment, including theoretical, constitutional, procedural, forensic, comparative, and reform aspects.
Eminent Faculty: Participants will learn from a diverse array of national and international experts and practitioners specializing in criminal law.
Integration of Doctrine and Practice: The course effectively combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills necessary for successful careers in the field.
Flexible Format: Weekend classes are tailored to accommodate both working professionals and students, with recorded sessions available for three months post-completion.
Hybrid Closing Session: Concluding with a session led by Project 39A’s Executive Director, participants can attend either online or in person at NLUD.

Target Audience

This program is ideal for undergraduate and postgraduate students, legal practitioners, academics, professionals in forensic science, researchers, and anyone with a keen interest in the criminal justice system.

Course Details at a Glance

Duration: 8 weeks; 4 hours per week totaling 32 hours
Dates: September 12, 2026, to November 1, 2026
Schedule: Primarily weekends, with a special session on Monday, September 21, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Timings: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM IST for Indian speakers; 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM IST for international speakers
Attendance Requirement: Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory
Certification: Participants must successfully complete all course components, including an online assessment on November 1, 2026, to earn their certificate
Fee: ₹10,000, payable upon registration. Note: Fees are non-refundable.
Registration Period: August 12 to September 10, 2026

Distinguished Faculty

The course boasts a distinguished panel of speakers, including:

Prof. (Dr.) GS Bajpai, Vice Chancellor, NLUD
Saurabh Kirpal, Senior Advocate
Dr. Seema Kaul Singh, Director (ICPS)
Dr. Shailesh Kumar, Royal Holloway, University of London
Dr. Siddharth Luthra, Senior Advocate
Rajshekhar Rao, Senior Advocate
Dr. G K Goswami, Founder Director, UPSIFS
Sanjiv Sen, Senior Advocate
Prof. Dr. Anneke Petzsche, University of Bremen, Germany
Kapil Sankhla, Managing Partner, Sankhla & Associates
Dr. Pupul Dutta Prasad, IG, BPR&D & Honorary Director, Project 39A
Shailesh Madiyal, Senior Advocate
Justice JR Midha, Former Judge, Delhi High Court
Sanjay Vashishtha, Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Executive Director, Project 39A