The National Law School of India Review (NLSIR), the esteemed law journal of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru, has proudly introduced the ‘Chief Justice ES Venkataramiah Memorial Best Essay Prize’. This annual national essay competition is made possible through the support of Justice BV Nagarathna, a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India and daughter of the late Justice ES Venkataramiah, alongside her daughter, Advocate Nayana Tara.
The competition is open to undergraduate law students enrolled in either five-year or three-year law programs at any institution recognized by the Bar Council of India (BCI). The event is scheduled to take place annually from June to September and will focus on a significant contemporary legal theme each year. A panel of distinguished academics and legal practitioners will evaluate the shortlisted essays, ensuring expertise and fairness in the selection process.
The victorious essay will be published in NLSIR, and the winner will receive a cash prize of ₹25,000 along with a citation plaque. The theme for this year’s competition is expected to be unveiled in early July.
NLSIR, a bi-annual, student-edited, double-anonymous peer-reviewed journal, is recognized as one of India’s longest-standing student-edited law reviews, currently in its 38th year of publication. It has received citations from the Supreme Court of India on numerous occasions, marking its influence and prestige. The journal has featured works by eminent legal scholars and practitioners, including former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, and professors from prestigious institutions such as Harvard Law School and King’s College London.
Justice ES Venkataramiah, who served as the 19th Chief Justice of India, was a prominent figure in the legal community. Born in the village of Manikyanahalli, Karnataka, he served as Advocate General of Mysore and as a judge of the Karnataka High Court before his elevation to the Supreme Court, where he served for nearly a decade. After his retirement, he returned to academia at NLSIU, holding the MK Nambiar Chair in Constitutional Law until his passing in 1997.
Nayana Tara BG expressed that the prize honors Justice Venkataramiah’s lifelong dedication to legal scholarship. She emphasized that his commitment to legal education and scholarship was evident throughout his career, both in his judgments and his return to teaching at NLSIU. She stated, “This prize aims to honor his legacy by fostering students’ engagement with contemporary legal issues through rigorous and disciplined writing.”
The NLSIR Editorial Board added, “Justice Venkataramiah’s contributions to the legal field and education continue to inspire. We hope this prize encourages strong academic writing among undergraduate students and sets a benchmark for scholarly engagement with legal theory in law schools across India.”
NLSIR expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, and the Dean Research’s Office of NLSIU for their support in establishing the Prize.
