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Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar

Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) is one of India’s premier law universities, established under the Gujarat National Law University Act, 2003. Located in Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat, GNLU is recognized for its academic excellence, research contributions, and commitment to producing competent legal professionals. The university is a member of the prestigious National Law University (NLU) consortium, which comprises some of the top law schools in India.

GNLU was established in 2003 by the Government of Gujarat to provide high-quality legal education and promote research in the field of law. The university was inaugurated on 20th July 2003, and it started functioning from its temporary campus at the Institute of Government Management and Research, Sector 11, Gandhinagar. In 2005, GNLU moved to its permanent campus at Attalika Avenue, Knowledge Corridor, Koba, Gandhinagar.

The university was established with the vision of becoming a global leader in legal education, research, and training. Over the years, GNLU has grown significantly and has established itself as one of the top law schools in India. The university is recognized by the Bar Council of India (BCI) and is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Campus and Infrastructure

GNLU’s campus is spread over 50 acres and is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to facilitate a conducive learning environment for students. The campus includes:

  1. Academic Blocks: The university has well-equipped classrooms, seminar halls, and lecture theaters with modern audio-visual facilities.
  2. Library: The GNLU library is one of the largest law libraries in India, with a vast collection of books, journals, and online resources. The library also provides access to various legal databases and e-resources.
  3. Moot Court Hall: The university has a fully functional moot court hall where students can practice and participate in moot court competitions.
  4. Hostels: GNLU provides separate hostel facilities for boys and girls within the campus. The hostels are well-furnished and provide a comfortable living environment for students.
  5. Sports Facilities: The campus has sports facilities for various indoor and outdoor games, including cricket, football, basketball, tennis, and badminton.
  6. Auditorium: The university has a spacious auditorium with a seating capacity of over 500 people, which is used for various academic and cultural events.
  7. Cafeteria: The campus has a cafeteria that serves a variety of meals and snacks to students and staff.
  8. Medical Facilities: GNLU has a health center with a full-time medical officer to provide medical assistance to students and staff.

Academic Programs

GNLU offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in law and related disciplines. The university is known for its rigorous academic curriculum, which is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in legal principles and practical skills.

  1. Undergraduate Programs:
    • Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws (B.A. LL.B.) (Hons.): This is a five-year integrated program that combines the study of law with social sciences. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of legal principles and their application in various fields.
    • Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Laws (B.B.A. LL.B.) (Hons.): This is another five-year integrated program that combines the study of law with business administration. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in corporate law, business, and management.
  2. Postgraduate Programs:
    • Master of Laws (LL.M.): GNLU offers a one-year LL.M. program with specializations in various fields of law, including Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property Rights, and International Law.
    • Master of Business Administration (MBA): The university offers a two-year MBA program with a focus on business law and corporate governance. The program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in business management and legal principles.
  3. Doctoral Programs:
    • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): GNLU offers a Ph.D. program in law and related disciplines. The program is designed to promote research and scholarship in various fields of law. Students are required to undertake original research and submit a thesis at the end of the program.
  4. Diploma and Certificate Programs:
    • GNLU also offers various diploma and certificate programs in specialized areas of law, such as Intellectual Property Rights, Cyber Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Faculty

GNLU has a highly qualified and experienced faculty comprising professors, associate professors, and assistant professors. The faculty members are experts in their respective fields and are actively involved in research, teaching, and consultancy. The university also invites visiting faculty and guest lecturers from academia, industry, and the judiciary to provide students with diverse perspectives and insights.

Research and Publications

GNLU is committed to promoting research and scholarship in the field of law. The university has established several research centers and institutes to facilitate research in various areas of law. Some of the prominent research centers at GNLU include:

  1. Centre for Law and Society: This center focuses on research related to social justice, human rights, and public policy.
  2. Centre for Corporate and Competition Law: This center conducts research on corporate law, competition law, and corporate governance.
  3. Centre for Intellectual Property Rights: This center focuses on research related to intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
  4. Centre for International Humanitarian Law: This center conducts research on international humanitarian law, human rights, and international criminal law.

GNLU also publishes several journals and periodicals, including the GNLU Law Review, which is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes articles, essays, and case comments on various legal issues.

Moot Court Competitions and Legal Aid

GNLU places a strong emphasis on practical legal training and encourages students to participate in moot court competitions, mock trials, and client counseling sessions. The university has a dedicated Moot Court Society that organizes various moot court competitions and training sessions for students.

GNLU also runs a Legal Aid Clinic that provides free legal assistance to underprivileged and marginalized sections of society. The clinic is managed by students under the guidance of faculty members and offers services such as legal advice, drafting of legal documents, and representation in court.

Student Life and Extracurricular Activities

GNLU offers a vibrant campus life with a wide range of extracurricular activities and student organizations. The university has several student-run clubs and societies, including:

  1. Debating Society: The Debating Society organizes debates, elocution competitions, and public speaking events.
  2. Cultural Society: The Cultural Society organizes various cultural events, including music, dance, and drama performances.
  3. Sports Society: The Sports Society organizes various sports events and tournaments, including cricket, football, basketball, and badminton.
  4. Legal Aid Society: The Legal Aid Society works in collaboration with the Legal Aid Clinic to provide legal assistance to underprivileged sections of society.
  5. Moot Court Society: The Moot Court Society organizes moot court competitions and training sessions for students.

GNLU also hosts several annual events and festivals, including:

  1. GNLU International Moot Court Competition (GIMC): This is an annual moot court competition that attracts participants from law schools across the world.
  2. GNLU Literary and Cultural Fest (GLITZ): This is an annual cultural festival that features various cultural events, including music, dance, drama, and literary competitions.
  3. GNLU Sports Fest (GRID): This is an annual sports festival that features various sports events and tournaments.

Placement and Career Opportunities

GNLU has a dedicated Placement Cell that works closely with students to provide them with career guidance and placement opportunities. The Placement Cell organizes various placement drives, internships, and career counseling sessions for students.

GNLU graduates have been successfully placed in various prestigious organizations, including law firms, corporate houses, judiciary, and public sector undertakings. Some of the prominent recruiters at GNLU include:

  1. Law Firms: Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co., Khaitan & Co., Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Trilegal, and AZB & Partners.
  2. Corporate Houses: Tata Group, Reliance Industries, Aditya Birla Group, and Infosys.
  3. Judiciary: Several GNLU graduates have been selected for judicial services and have joined the judiciary as judges.
  4. Public Sector Undertakings: GNLU graduates have also been recruited by various public sector undertakings, including ONGC, BHEL, and SAIL.

Fees and Scholarships

GNLU offers various scholarships and financial assistance programs to support meritorious and financially disadvantaged students. The university also provides fee waivers and concessions to students from economically weaker sections.

The fee structure for various programs at GNLU is as follows:

  1. B.A. LL.B. (Hons.): The total fee for the five-year program is approximately INR 10-12 lakhs.
  2. B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.): The total fee for the five-year program is approximately INR 10-12 lakhs.
  3. LL.M.: The total fee for the one-year program is approximately INR 2-3 lakhs.
  4. MBA: The total fee for the two-year program is approximately INR 4-6 lakhs.
  5. Ph.D.: The total fee for the Ph.D. program is approximately INR 1-2 lakhs.

Rankings and Recognition

GNLU has consistently been ranked among the top law schools in India by various ranking agencies and publications. Some of the notable rankings and recognitions include:

  1. National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF): GNLU has been ranked among the top 10 law schools in India by the NIRF.
  2. Outlook-ICARE India University Rankings: GNLU has been ranked among the top 5 law schools in India by Outlook-ICARE.
  3. The Week-Hansa Research Best Colleges Survey: GNLU has been ranked among the top 10 law schools in India by The Week.

Alumni Network

GNLU has a strong and active alumni network, with graduates working in various prestigious organizations across the world. The university regularly organizes alumni meets and networking events to facilitate interaction between alumni and current students.

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