[Competition] VIVIDH 5.0 : National Policy Discussion Competition by Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University [Register by 15 January 2026]
Damodaram
Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam, through its
student-run committee Drishtikon, is organising VIVIDH 5.0, a national-level
policy discussion competition scheduled to be held on 7th and 8th February 2026
at the university campus. The competition seeks to provide a unique platform
for law students across the country to engage with draft legislations, propose
amendments, and deliberate upon public policy through structured and moderated
discussions.
About DSNLU
Damodaram
Sanjivayya National Law University was established in 2008 through an Act of
the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly (Act 32 of 2008). It is named after Damodaram
Sanjivayya, the 2nd Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, a leader of the
marginalized sections, and for being a leader who strived for the advancement
of society. He was known for being a modest and sincere leader of the masses,
apart from being a lawyer himself.
DSNLU
endeavors to be a premier law school with state-of-the-art facilities and an
emphasis on clinical aspects to promote and provide world-class education,
training, research consultancy, and services. We strive to design and deliver
unique, innovative, and research-based pedagogy for the holistic promotion of
the students. The university offers a five-year integrated B.A. LL.B. (Hons.),
one-year LL.M. (Constitutional Law and Administrative Law, Criminal and
Security Law, and Corporate and Commercial Law), and a 3-year LLB course for
graduate students. Additionally, it offers Doctoral and Post-Doctoral degrees
in legal and interdisciplinary studies. The university also offers certificate
courses.
About
Drishtikon, DSNLU
Drishtikon
is a student-run committee of DSNLU that organises weekly discussions on
contemporary socio-legal, political, and historical issues. It provides a
platform for students to freely express their viewpoints in an atmosphere of
dialogue, diversity, and respectful deliberation. In addition to its weekly
discussions, Drishtikon conducts panel discussions and policy-based
competitions aimed at strengthening analytical, interpretative, and advocacy
skills among students. Over the years, Drishtikon has successfully organised
multiple panel discussions and national-level competitions, contributing
significantly to DSNLU’s student-driven intellectual culture.
About
VIVIDH
VIVIDH is Drishtikon’s annual Policy Discussion Competition, conceptualised to embrace vividh - diverse - viewpoints. It is a one-of-its-kind event wherein the participants are given a draft legislation (made by the members of Drishtikon) and asked to propose amendments. They would be marked on their skill of interpreting the clauses, proposing the amendments, viability of these amendments and their ability to lobby the fellow participants for their amendments to be passed. So far, four editions have been successfully conducted.
Structure
of the Competition
VIVIDH
5.0 will be conducted in two stages: Preliminary Rounds and Final Rounds. The
Preliminary Round will consist of four independent rounds, from which a fixed
minimum number of participants will qualify for the Finals.
Participants
in the Preliminary Rounds will be allotted one of the following draft
legislations:
- Geo-Heritage
Bill
- Right
to Disconnect Bill
- Press
and Registration Bill
- Citizen’s
Charter Bill
The
competition follows a moderator-driven format, with the presence of judges, a
time-keeper, a fact-checker, and a scribe to ensure transparency and
accountability. Detailed rules and procedures are provided in the official
rulebook, and participants are expected to strictly adhere to the same.
Important Dates
- Last Date of Registration - 15.01.2026
- Allotment of Bills - 16.01.2026
- Orientation Session (Online) - 18.01.2026
- Submissions of Amendment of Prelims - 01.02.2026
- Release of Final Bill - 01.02.2026
- Circulation of Amendment for Prelims - 05.02.2026
- Inauguration at 12:30 pm (Offline) - 07.02.2026
- Preliminary Rounds I, II, III & IV - 07.02.2026
- Announcement of Finalist (Latest by 6 pm) - 07.02.2026
- Submission of Amendments for Finals (Latest by 7 am) - 08.02.2026
- Final Rounds - 08.02.2026
Registration
Deadline
Participants
must register by 12:00 AM, 15th January 2026 through the official Google Form.
Each participant must rank the four available topics in order of preference. In
case of unequal participation across topics, drafts may be allotted based on
second or third preferences. All registration and allotment will follow a First
Come, First Serve basis. Register here: Registration link.
Registration Fee
- Inclusive of Accommodation: ₹500
- For DSNLU Students: ₹300
(The
accommodation package includes meals for the entire duration.)
Accommodation and Travel Arrangements
- Participants opting for accommodation will be provided lodging within the University campus for the entire duration of the competition.
- Participants must arrange their own travel to the University campus. The organising team will remain available to assist and guide participants during arrival and stay.
Awards
and Recognition
The competition offers the following accolades:
- Winner: Trophy, Certificate, and Cash Prize of ₹5,000
- Best Speaker: Trophy, Certificate, and Cash Prize of ₹3,000
- Best Amendment: Trophy, Certificate, and Cash Prize of ₹2,000
- All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation, and finalists will be awarded a Certificate of Excellence.
Important Links
For any queries or clarifications, please feel free to contact:
- Shashwat Sinha: +91 88241 47278
- Sumana Krovvidi: +91 83412 97642
- Email ID: drishtikon@dsnlu.ac.in & vividh@dsnlu.ac.in