Home
About
Jobs
Events
Courses
Exams
Blog
Recruiter
Pricing

Sign In

Applicant Recruiter/Advertiser

Categories

Legal Blog

Publish with us

Filter Clear

Jul 13, 2022

Ramakant Munjal Scholarships 2022 by Hero Group

Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the Hero Group’s Ramakant Munjal Scholarships 2022. About Ramakant Munjal Scholarships Hero Group’s Ramakant Munjal Scholarships offer them just what they need—financial support to pursue finance-related courses. This financial support allows students to get admissions to reputed colleges and pursue their dream of a promising career and a better life. Accepted Degrees and Courses Courses accepted: BBA, BFIA, B.Com(H,E), BMS, IPM, BA (Economics) degree courses.” To see the list of colleges accepted, click here. Eligibility Criteria Degree Course: BBA, BFIA, B.Com(H,E), BMS, IPM Minimum Qualification: Class 12th Minimum marks in Qualifying Exams: 10th marks 70% for entrance exam route & 80% for 10th marks route. 12th marks 70% for entrance exam route & 80% for 12th marks route. Age: Maximum 19 years as on 31.05.2022 Annual Family Income: Less than Rs. 4 Lakhs Scholarship Award A scholarship of Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5,00,000 is awarded to each student per year for a period of 3 years for completing their education. (The exact scholarship amount will depend on the accepted college fees). Selection and Application Process Once students apply for the scholarship, they are screened through telephonic, written as well as face-to-face interviews. Only the ones who exude confidence and show a promising future are selected for this scholarship. Here is the stepwise process: Application Form Career Assessment Test Essay form 1st Round of Telephonic Interview Call Documents Submission including college acceptance letter Final Round of Interview (Telephone or Face to Face) Award given to the selected students Date Application Starting Month every year June Application Closing Month every year October Result announcement Month January Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: +918851669577 For more information click here

Sumasri

Jul 12, 2022

Maples Group Scholarship 22-23 (LLM Business Law) at University College Cork, Ireland

The Maples Group is inviting applications for providing scholarships to LLM Business Law applicants at University College Cork, Ireland for the year 2022-23. About Maples Group With over 50 years of experience in the financial services industry and expertise in the provision of a wide range of domestic and international services, we have become a global partner to our clients with offices strategically situated to best serve their needs. About the Scholarship The Maples Group is providing scholarships to eligible LLM Business Law candidates for the year 2022-23. Eligibility Criteria Students must secure a minimum grade of 2.1 in an approved primary degree or equivalent. Students must have applied for the LLM Business Law programme via the UCC Applications System, have received an offer and have accepted a place on the programme to qualify to apply for the Scholarship. You must apply for the LLM Business Law programme to be eligible for this scholarship. More Details Applications must include a short personal statement in response to the following (max. 500 words per question): What are your career aspirations for the next 5 years? What impact would receive this scholarship have on you? Selection Criteria The shortlisted students (max 5) will be chosen and an interview will take place to discuss your application. The judging panel will include a representative from Maples Group and the Dean of the Law School (or their nominated representative). Applicants must name at least two referees – one academic and one professional. Important Note Please note if a scholarship holder withdraws from the programme for which s/he has registered or fails to continue throughout the year to meet the attendance and other requirements for the programme, including examination entry, s/he may be required to repay to the College the whole or part of the scholarship. Application Submission Guidelines Applications should be submitted to Programme Administrator through this email address – [email protected] The online application can be accessed by this link here. Important Dates Application Opens: June 1, 2022-23 Application Closes: July 31, 2022-23 Contact Information Regarding any queries write to Dr Fidelma White at [email protected] For more details click here

Sumasri

Jul 11, 2022

How to Write in Different Citation Styles

A citation is a way of acknowledging the creative and intellectual contributions of others that you used to support your research. It can also be used to identify specific sources and minimize plagiarism. A citation may typically include the author's name, date, location of the publishing company, journal title, or DOI (Digital Object Identifier). A citation style specifies the material that must be included in a citation, as well as how that information is organised, including its punctuation, and another formatting.[1] The citation style you choose will be heavily influenced by the discipline in which you're writing. Your instructor may recommend or demand a particular style for numerous assignments. If you're not sure which one to use, check with your instructor or the publisher whether you're submitting a manuscript to see if they demand a specific style. In certain circumstances, you may not be compelled to employ a particular style as long as you choose one and stick with it. There are numerous methods for citing sources from your research. The citation style used can vary depending on the academic discipline, and some of the styles such as Bluebook, OSCOLA and ILI are explained below. 1. Bluebook[2] Cases General Rule: [Plaintiff/ Appellant/ Applicant] v. [Defendant/ Respondent], [Citation]. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, AIR 1962 SC 933. Index of Authorities (IoA): Addition to the citation: If the pages referred to are 933, 934, and 935, then the addition in IoA would be the last page number referred. Kesavananda Bharati v. the State of Kerala, AIR 1962 SC 933, 935. Statutes General Rule: Central Legislation , § , No. , Acts of Parliament, (). State Legislation , § , No. , Acts of State Legislature, (). Banking Regulation Act, 1949, § 3, No. 10, Acts of Parliament, 1949 (India). Maharashtra Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1953, § 5, No. 40, Acts of Maharashtra State Legislature, 1953 (India). IoA: The section referred to will not be mentioned. Banking Regulation Act, 1949, No. 10, Acts of Parliament, 1949 (India). Maharashtra Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1953, No. 40, Acts of Maharashtra State Legislature, 1953 (India). Constitution General Rule: [INDIAN CONST.] art. , §, cl. , amended by The Constitution. INDIA CONST. art. 1, § 9, cl. 2. INDIA CONST. art. 269, § 9, cl. 3, amended by The Constitution (Eightieth Amendment) Act, 2000. Articles General Rule: [Author’s name], [Title of the article], [Journal Volume Number] [NAME OF THE JOURNAL (abbreviated)] [Starting Page of the Article], [Pages Cited] [(Year)]. Emre Öktem, Turkey: Successor or Continuing State of the Ottoman Empire?, 24 LEIDEN J. I NT'L L. 561, 575-576 (2011). David E. Graham, Cyber Threats and the Law of War, 4 J. NAT'L SEC. L. & POL'Y 87, 91 (2010). IoA: Only the Starting Page of the Article will be mentioned and the other pages cited will not be mentioned. Emre Öktem, Turkey: Successor or Continuing State of the Ottoman Empire?, 24 LEIDEN J. I NT'L L. 561 (2011). David E. Graham, Cyber Threats and the Law of War, 4 J. NAT'L SEC. L. & POL'Y 87 (2010). Books General Rule: [Volume Number, if any] [AUTHOR ’S NAME], [TITLE OF THE BOOK] [Page Number] [(Publisher’s Name Year of Publishing)]. 2 DD BASU, CONSTITUTION OF INDIA 201 (2010). Index of Authorities (IoA): The page number will not be mentioned. 2 DD BASU, CONSTITUTION OF INDIA (2010). Multiple Editions, Same Publisher: General Rule: [AUTHOR ’S NAME], [TITLE OF THE BOOK] [Page number] [(Edition Year of Publishing)]. FRANCIS A. CAREY, ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 310 (6th ed. 2006). Online Sources Online-only Sources: [NAME OF WEBSITE], [URL] [(last visited Date)]. BEN & JERRY’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM, http://www.benjerry.com (last visited Oct. 6, 2008). Dynamic webpages, such as blogs: [Name of the author], [ Name of the article], [NAME OF THE WEBPAGE] [(Date of access, time of access)], [URL]. Asahi Shimbun, A-Bomb Disease Ruling, JAPANESE L. BLOG (Mar. 27, 2009, 9:29 PM), http://japaneselaw.blogspot.com. Online source that preserves original paging, such as a PDF: [Name of the author], [ Name of the article], [Journal Volume Number] [Name of the Journal (abbreviated)] [Starting Page of the Article], [Pages Cited] [(Year)], [URL]. Kenneth W. Simons, Retributivists Need Not and Should Not Endorse the Subjectivist Account of Punishment, 109 COLUM. L. R EV.1, 3 (2009), http://www.columbialawreview.org/Sidebar/volume/109/1_Simons.pdf. Direct Citations to Internet Sources: [Name of the author], [ Name of the article], [NAME OF THE WEBPAGE] [(Date of publication, time of publication)], [URL]. Eric Posner, More on Section 7 of the Torture Convention, VOLOKH CONSPIRACY (Jan. 29, 2009, 10:04 AM), http://www.volokh.com/posts/1233241458.shtml. 2. The Oxford University Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities-OSCOLA[3] Cases General Rule: Case Name – Neutral Citation (which includes Volume and the first page of relevant Law Report). Guru Nanak Foundation v. Rattan Singh and Sons, AIR 1981 SC 2075. Note: If the name of the case is given in the body, only the Neutral Citation is to be mentioned in the Footnotes. Statutes General Rule: [Short Title of the Act] [Year] Banking Regulation Act 1949 Books General Rule: Author of the Book, Title of the Book (Edition, Publisher Date) Nadine El-Enany, Bordering Britain: Law, Race and Empire (1st ed, Manchester University Press 2020) Journal Articles General Rule: Author, “Title of the Article.” Journal Title Volume(Issue) (Date): Page Numbers Peter Fitzpatrick. “Racism and the Innocence of Law.” Journal of Law and Society 14(1) (1987): 119-32. Websites General Rule: Author, ‘Article Title’ (Date) Website Title accessed date James Boyle, ‘A Manifesto on WIPO and the Future of Intellectual Property 2004 DukeL & Tech Rev 0009 accessed 18 November 2009 3. Indian Law Institute-ILI[4] Cases All India Reporter (AIR) General Rule: Case Name, AIR Citation Kesavnanda Bharati v. the State of Kerala, AIR 1962 SC 933. (In this example, the year 1962 is the year of the case, SC is the abbreviation of the law reporter and 933 is the page number on which the case exists in the SC 1962 Booklet.) Note: If the name of the case is given in the body, only the Citation is to be mentioned in the Footnotes. Supreme Court Cases (SCC) General Rule: Case Name, SCC Citation Jassa Singh v. the State of Haryana (2002) 2 SCC 481 (In this example, the year 2002 is the year of the case, ‘2’ is the volume number, SCC is the abbreviation of the law reporter and 481 is the page number on which the case exists in the 2nd volume of SCC 2002 Booklet.) Statute General Rule: Short Title of the Act, Year (Act of ) The Information Technology Act, 2000 (Act 21 of 2000) Books By a Single Author: Author Name, Title Pg. No. (if referring to a specific page or pages) (Publisher, Place of publication, edition/year of publication). E.g. M.P. Jain, Indian Constitutional Law 98 (Kamal Law House, Calcutta, 5th edn., 1998). By Two Authors: Author Name, Title p.no. (if referring to a specific page or pages) (Publisher, Place of publication, edition/year of publication). E.g. M.P.Jain and S.N. Jain, Principles of Administrative Law 38 (Wadhawa, Nagpur, 2001) By Multiple Authors (More than Two): Name of the first two authors, et.al., Title of the book p.no. (if referring to a specific page or pages) (Publisher, Place of publication, edition/year of publication). E.g. Jerry L. Mashaw, Richard A. Merrill, et.al., The American Public Law System – Cases and Materials 50 (West Group, St. Paul, MN, 1992). Journal / Newspapers General Rule for a paper published in a journal/periodical: Author name, title within inverted commas, volume number of journal, Name of the journal in abbreviation & page number (year). K. Madhusudhana Rao, “Authority to Recommend President’s Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution” 46 JILI 125 (2004). General Rule for a paper published by a case reporter: Author Name, title within inverted commas, volume number of reporter, Name of the reporter in abbreviation & page number (year). P.K. Thakur, “Permissibility of Probation in Offences Punishable with Minimum Imprisonment” 2 SCJ 26-38 (2002). General Rule for a write-up published in a newspaper/periodical: Writer’s name, the title of the write-up within inverted commas, Newspaper’s name, date. Robert I. Freidman, “India’s Shame: Sexual Slavery and Political Corruption Are Leading to an AIDS Catastrophe” The Nation, Apr. 8, 1996. General Rule for an editorial from a newspaper: Editorial, Title of the Editorial within inverted commas Name of the newspaper, date. Editorial, “Short-circuited” The Times of India, Aug. 2, 2004. Websites If the websites give information about when it was last modified, it must be cited, if not, cite the date of visiting the website. Information Technology Act 2000, India, available at: http://www.mit.gov.in/it-bill.asp (Last Modified July 29, 2003). Information Technology Act 2000, India, available at: http://www.mit.gov.in/it- bill.asp (Visited on July 29, 2003). 4. American Psychological Institute - APA Cases General Rule: Case Name, Volume Number, Court. Pg No <(Year)>. Kesavananda Bharati & Ors. v. State of Kerala & Anr., 4 S.C. 225 (1973). Statutes General Rule: Act name, § Section Number (Year). Information Technology Act, § 65 (2000). Books General Rule: Author name, Initials. Year, Title, <(ed. Number)>. Place of Publication, Publisher name. Alibi, M.W. Learning new problem-solving strategies leads to changes in problem representation, (ed. 4). New York, Science Direct. Articles General Rule: Author, (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical, Volume Number (Issue Number), Page Number. DOI Alibi, M.W. Learning new problem-solving strategies leads to changes in problem representation, Cognitive Development, 24(2), 89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogdev.2008.12.005 [1]Citing Sources, University Libraries by the University of Washington. https://guides.lib.uw.edu/c.php?g=341448&p=2802215. [2]Harvard Bluebook [20th Edition], https://www.scconline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20th-Harvard-bluebook.pdf. [3]OSCOLA [4th Edition], Faculty of Law, University of Oxford. https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxlaw/oscola_4th_edn_hart_2012.pdf [4]ILI Citation Style. https://www.ili.ac.in/cstyle.pdf

Sumasri

Jul 07, 2022

How to Write a Resignation Letter? (With Samples)

Whether or not to move on from your current job is not an easy decision to make. But one thing that doesn’t have to be as difficult as making that decision is writing a resignation letter. What is a Resignation Letter? The resignation letter is a notice sent by the employee to their employer informing them that they are leaving the company. In other words, it is an official way of saying that the employee no longer wishes to continue in the job. The purpose of this letter is to create a formal document of notice and record the details about the employee's last day at work, explain the employee's next steps, and maintain a positive relationship with the employer. What to include in a resignation letter? Tip: If you are planning to resign, it is best to speak directly with your manager so they have the time to prepare for it. Request a video chat or phone call if you work remotely. Follow your manager's instructions for the next step. In certain situations, your employer may ask you to leave on the day you resign so plan accordingly. Statement of resignation from the company State clearly that you are writing to submit your formal resignation from the company. You may include your title as well in your letter. Date of last day of work Every company has specific instructions around what your last date of work is required to be, depending on the notice period to be served. Once you have obtained the information, state the date and day of your last day at the company. Statement of gratitude Maintaining positive relationships is always advisable. Writing a few sentences explaining what you appreciate about your time at the company and with your co-workers can help facilitate a peaceful transition. Next steps or important information Include any important information the recipient should know about your transition. It is best to discuss these details in advance with your manager. Signature Lastly, sign your name after concluding the letter with a closing statement such as "Thank you." What not to include in a resignation letter? Regardless of how much you want to say, it is better to keep the conversation limited to your resignation. Here are some considerations on what you should keep off the letter. Don’t Complain about the inconvenience It’s generally not recommended to end things on a negative note. Try not to include any bad remarks or harsh words for your superior. Life doesn't always match your expectations, but that doesn't stop anyone from searching for what they want. It is advisable that you not hold grudges against your workplace if you want to move on to a new beginning. Besides, ending things on a good note might ensure a good reference if needed by your next organisation. You may also want to rejoin your current organisation at a later point. A short/no explanation is better It is not necessary for anyone to know why you are leaving. You are not required to tell anyone unless and until you wish to. When you are asked to write the precise reason, you can simply write something very common if the real reason is too complicated or personal. Keep your personal feelings out Do not show any dissatisfaction based on anything that might have happened. Remember that if you have had a bad experience at the company, it will soon end. So farewell in peace. Don’t include any other job details You need not reveal what you will be doing next or describe your new position at another organisation if you are joining any. Sample 1 Dear WXYZ, I am writing this letter to notify you formally that I am resigning from my position as assistant sales manager of (Company name), effective December 31. I appreciate the opportunity for professional growth you provided during my time at (Company name). Thank you for your support and encouragement. Please let me know how I can help during the transition period. I wish you and the company the best. Sincerely, Your Name Sample 2 Dear Ms GHIJ, Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from the position of Marketing Manager of (Company Name). My last day will be Friday, March 15. I must thank you for the opportunity to work in this role for the past five years. During my tenure, I had the chance to work with the heads of research, procurement, human resources, sales, and marketing. I appreciate the many training sessions and growth and development initiatives that have made me a thorough professional in the heavy manufacturing industry. In the next few weeks, I will complete all pending tasks, and I am willing to assist in the hiring and training of new employees during that period. Please let me know how to assist with the transition process. I wish you and the company success and hope to keep in touch. Sincerely, Your Name Sample 3 Dear XYZ, Please accept this letter as formal notification that I am resigning from my position as Account Executive of (Company Name). My last day will be Thursday, August 2. Thank you so much for the opportunity to work in this position for the past three years. I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunities I’ve had to grow our team and pipeline, be a part of creating a great product, and work with my colleagues, and I’ve learned so much, which I will certainly take with me throughout my career. I will do everything possible to wrap up my duties and train other team members over the next two weeks. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help during this transition. I wish the company continued success, and I hope to stay in touch in the future. Sincerely, Your Name

Sumasri

Jul 06, 2022

Criminal Law Reform Project Fall 2023 Fellowship, ACLU, New York

About American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union – beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees. For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach. Roles and Responsibilities of the Fellows Conduct legal research and analysis and develop theories to support new litigation projects Draft legal memoranda, pleadings, affidavits, motions, and briefs Interview witnesses and potential clients Participate in discovery and trial practice Draft and edit public education and non-litigation advocacy materials Provide support and assistance to ACLU affiliates and cooperating attorneys Help manage summer legal internship program and supervise student interns Engage in public speaking and attend meetings and/or conferences as needed Center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development, policy application, and organizational practices?and processes Commitment to the mission of the ACLU Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regard to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts Eligibility to Apply for the Criminal Law Fellowship JD or expected to receive a JD by the spring of 2023 Demonstrated commitment to criminal justice and racial justice Willingness to work closely with the CLRP through the funding application process Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work independently as well as within a team Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion Fellowship Duration 2 years Compensation Annually: $76,000 – $87,000 [INR 59 Lacs – 70 Lacs] Location New York, USA For application and other information click here

Sumasri

Jul 05, 2022

Litigation Fellowship at Institute for Justice, USA

Institute for Justice, USA is inviting applications for a litigation fellowship role for the 2023 batch from legal professionals and scholars globally. About Institute for Justice, USA The Institute for Justice, the national law firm for liberty, is the country’s leading public-interest law firm in the areas of economic liberty, free speech, private property rights and educational choice. Their attorneys work on cutting-edge constitutional cases, fight to end government abuses in key areas such as civil forfeiture and qualified immunity, and champion individual rights. Role and Responsibilities of the Fellows If you are passionate about using your law degree to stop government abuses and champion individual rights, there is no better place to be. As full members of case teams, Fellows work with IJ attorneys to bring creative, intellectually rigorous cases to federal and state courts across the country. Fellows work directly with clients and participate in every stage of litigation. No two days are the same, and our new hires jump into action on day one. Outside the courtroom, Fellows have the opportunity to do media writing and appearances, public speaking, grassroots activism and direct advocacy to policymakers and legislators. Throughout the two-year fellowship, Fellows benefit from mentorship opportunities, expert media training, and a supportive and collegial legal work culture. Eligibility for the Litigation Fellowship Excellent writing and communication skills; A desire to create real-world impact and willingness to push the envelope in strategizing how to win challenging cases; A passion for limiting the size and scope of government power to ensure that all Americans have the right to control their own destinies as free and responsible members of society; Judicial clerkship experience (not required, but strongly preferred); Passionate and entrepreneurial attorneys with 0-2 years of experience. Documents Required for Application Resume; Cover Letter; A writing sample that should be approximately 10 pages or less and should demonstrate your best legal analysis. Fellowship Duration August 2023 to August 2025 (2 years) Location Arlington, Virginia (USA) To apply and other information click here.

Gaurav

Jul 04, 2022

Interview with Shubham Borkar- Building a Career in IP Law

Intellectual Property is not a concept of recent origin. In many countries it was conceptualised in the 1800s, however, it is only in the late 20th century that intellectual property became commonplace in the legal system across the globe. Intellectual Property (IP) is a product of human intellect, that is a creation of the mind - inventions, literary, artistic work, symbols, names, images, etc. One does not get IP rights to an idea, process thought, or story, simply by it being in one’s mind. In our effort to share more about a career in Intellectual Property Law with you, we interviewed Shubham Borkar, an IPR Practitioner and Consultant at R.K. Dewan & Co. Shubham is currently also pursuing his doctorate from Oriental University, Madhya Pradesh. Please tell us a bit about yourself. What inspired you to pursue law? My name is Shubham Borkar. I am an Advocate, a Start-up Coach, a Tax / IPR Practitioner and Consultant, a Business Developer, a Legal Author, and also a student of CS (Professional level). I graduated from National Law Institute University (Bhopal) and completed my Post Graduation (LLM) in Business Law and IPR and I am currently pursuing Juris Doctorate JD/Ph.D. in Trademarks Law and Artificial Intelligence. I am presently associated with R.K Dewan & Co. as an Associate in IP Litigation, Prosecution. I have previously worked for Khurana & Khurana Advocates and IP Attorneys, Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan Attorneys. In my school days, I never thought I would become a lawyer. I didn’t possess the requisite skills to become a lawyer. I was more interested in Science than Arts. Like every other child in our neighbourhood, I also dreamt of becoming an Engineer following in my father’s footsteps. To achieve that I sincerely prepared for IIT (JEE entrance). I lacked oratory skills and would shiver if my teachers asked me to recite anything during the morning assemblies. However, while preparing for IIT, my coaching professor, Late. Mr Maheshwari used to have discussions with us after classes on various topics of life. After one such discussion, he told me that I could excel if I pursued law or if I appeared for the UPSC. He said, “You will become a good engineer, Shubham, but I feel you will be a better lawyer or administrative officer”. After hearing him, I gave it sincere thought and started preparing for CLAT after my IIT classes. Over time, I realised that I was able to relate more naturally to legal subjects and enjoyed studying them. I appeared for both Engineering and CLAT examinations, and with God’s grace cleared both exams. But before even the results arrived, I was sure that I would not be enjoying engineering subjects and could not consider seeing myself as one. Thankfully, with my parent’s support, I joined NLIU, Bhopal, and pursued Law. How did you begin your career after completing your law degree? At what point did you decide to pursue a career in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)? What sparked your interest in the field? From the beginning, I wanted to become a lawyer specialising in a particular subject. However, for a Science student, Arts subjects sounded like Latin to me. It was the second year of graduation when my interest was piqued in different specialisations of Law and I became aware of IPR. Since IPR had a harmonious blend of science and law, iI was more drawn to IPR. Thereafter, I applied for an internship with an IP firm. Initially, they were reluctant: being a 2nd-year student and having no knowledge of IPR, I wasn’t a good resource for them, but subsequently, they agreed after my interview. I gave my 100 per cent to learning during that one-month internship. Since then, I was sure of pursuing a career in IPR. After this internship, I went on to intern with all major IPR firms in India. Currently, you’re working as an IP lawyer and consultant at R.K. Dewan & Co. engaged in both prosecution and litigation work, what does a regular day look like for an IP lawyer? On a regular day, I have a few oppositions, counter statements/PR Responses/ agreements, and similar draftings. There are also enquiries both in-person and telephonically and as a consultant I address their queries, explaining the procedure of applying/registering for various IPs’, its related costs, and other details. Since I work for one of the biggest IPR firms in India, we have dedicated professionals for every task and as a senior, I also allocate tasks to the concerned person depending on the nature of the work. I also appear before the District Courts for hearings, as and when required. Apart from these, I also review all publications of R.K. Dewan. Our firm publishes many articles/newsletters/columns/ chronicles, and all of them are reviewed by our team. In 2021, there was a remarkable increase in the number of Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Designs, and Geographical Indications published and filed. What are your views on these developments in the country? In one word, promising! India has been continually working on reforming the IP sector. Government and other institutional bodies, whether public or private, are engaging themselves in conducting various awareness campaigns, seminars, and conventions to impart knowledge concerning IP. In the current scenario, even the Common Man is also equally informed about the sector because of the current Government’s policies like Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and Start-up India. All of these initiatives have resulted in this paradigm shift. Parallelly, the Government has also increased the workforce in IP offices which has expedited the prosecution process. Internationally speaking, India is performing better in comparison to many developed nations. We are not behind, we just started late in this race. What are your views on India not having separate legislation for Trade Secrets at a time when everything is going on virtual mode due to the pandemic? In this era of globalization, where companies offshore to various countries for expansion as well as cheaper labour, it is becoming increasingly difficult to protect business strategies and trade secrets. Businesses view technology as secrets rather than patentable information and considering the shift to virtual mode due to the Pandemic, the operations of all the body corporates are dealt with virtually, making it easier to hack the systems thereby enabling the leaking of trade secrets. In India, the only protection that trade secrets have received is through precedents and laws of equity. This absence has always been felt and accordingly, I believe that it is high time that India has its trade secret law. Indian giant IT companies, such as Infosys, Tech Mahindra, and TCS have started creating metaverse experiences across their verticals. What are your views on Artificial Intelligence owning IP rights? Witnessing the advent of technology and its advancements, we at RKD have already engaged ourselves in filing several trademark applications in the metaverse domain. Metaverse has become the new go-to domain. Every brand out there is looking for ways to explore opportunities that Metaverse offers. IP laws were originally human-centric. However, due to technological advancements, AI is grabbing the limelight. Hence, human-centric concepts like consumer confusion and imperfect recollection, would not work very well with AI technology, due to which there is a necessity to revamp trademark laws to accommodate AI-enabled devices. How would you suggest our young students and professionals go about a career in IP law? What avenues are open in this field? IPR being a niche field in law, interest in and willingness to join the field is a prerequisite. This field requires the student/professionals to be updated with current laws and technology and to have in-depth knowledge of the subject. I believe that only after interning in this field, young students who are genuinely interested in the subject and its core should pursue IPR as their subject. The current market scenario has tons of opportunities lined up for them, however, this sector is volatile, i.e., initially, it may seem slightly stagnant, and later as one grows, the opportunities are abundant. A career in the field of IPR laws requires endurance and persistence. Avenues like working as a Consultant in a Law firm, working as an in-house consultant for corporations, being appointed as a Professor in a law institution or acting as an independent IPR law practitioner in your firm, are open to young professionals who wish to pursue a career in this sector.

Gaurav

Jun 30, 2022

How to Prepare for Judicial Services Examinations?

The preparation for the Judicial Services Examination requires a structured approach and a focused mind. Candidates are advised to go through the curriculum thoroughly and plan accordingly before beginning their preparation. Since this is such an extremely competitive exam, it is advisable to start preparation early, possibly in the 3rd year of the 5-year LLB program or in the 1st year of the 3-year LLB program. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that the number of vacancies is extremely low, and vacancies are not released every year in numerous states. As a result, even if the candidates have a preference for a particular state, most candidates prepare for more than one judicial exam to enhance their chances of passing at least one of them. The candidate must prepare according to the State-specific paper pattern and syllabus for each topic if they choose to take this approach. The Exam is conducted in three stages i.e. Preliminary, Mains, and Personal Interview. It is suggested that one should begin preparing for the Mains exams first, because the material is extensive, and this will automatically prepare the Candidate for the MCQ-based Preliminary tests as well. Pre-requisites Because the exam pattern for each state is different, it is recommended that the candidate first decide and select the state/s for which they desire to appear. As a result, the candidate should review the previous year's question papers from their chosen states to understand the type of questions to expect for each topic, as well as the parking structure. The candidate should prepare a question bank of frequently asked questions and relevant questions from previous year's exams in the chosen state, which will further aid the candidate in preparation. The focus should be on the bare acts, which should be read several times to ensure that the candidate understands the law and improves his or her analytical abilities as well. Preliminary Exams (Prelims) Step 1 The candidate must be familiar with the Bare Acts, as most of the MCQs are built on the Bare Act's foundation. It is advised that the Candidate prepare reference notes in a notebook while reading the Bare Acts to absorb significant parts that they can refer to while revising the following day. Step 2 Preparing a Question Bank of MCQs based on previous year's question papers from the chosen states and solving them will offer the Candidate an advantage and a better understanding of the questions that may appear. This question bank can also come in handy when it's time to revise. Step 3 Candidates are advised to refer to monthly current affairs guides or pdfs for the General Knowledge or Current Affairs section and make it a practice to read newspapers daily. It is also necessary to review judicial decisions, which can be found on subscription-based websites or apps such as Live Law or Bar and Bench. For the Language section, reading the editorial page of a newspaper such as the Hindu or the Indian Express for at least 30 minutes a day is advised. Step 4 Since the Prelims are qualifying exams, it is recommended that candidates enhance their speed and accuracy to complete the test on time. This can be practiced by giving speed tests or comprehensive test series in practice books or online mock tests as well. Mains Exams As stated before, it is common practice to prepare for the Mains exams first since it is a subjective exam, which will automatically prepare you for the Prelims as well. Step 1 While studying for the Mains, it is critical to prepare a timetable and set specific goals. An example of a definitive target in your timetable may be to study at least four subjects every day, allotting two hours to each subject, and gradually increasing your study time as the exam approaches. Step 2 Candidates must develop the habit of practicing writing answers in a timed way by following the timetable outlined above. This could be accomplished by using a timer to practice 2-3 answers from the Question Bank daily. To improve writing speed, the candidate could also practice previous years’ question papers from the selected states. Step 3 It is critical to take notes, and each answer must include at least one case law to support the candidate’s conceptual representation. Candidates must keep track of relevant case laws while taking notes to refer back to them during revision. The notes prepared could be in the shape of mind maps, charts, diagrams, graphs, or even pictures to help the Candidate remember or retain the information better. Step 4 For Essay Writing, candidates must start reading the Editorial Sections of The Hindu and The Indian Express to understand and keep themselves up to date with the contemporary legal and socio-legal issues. This will also help in relating the topics to the Law that is to be studied. Also, by picking up topics from the ongoing affairs in the Country, candidates must practice writing essays and evaluate themselves based on their time, speed, accuracy, language, and understanding of the subject matter. Personal Interview Step 1 The PI is an interview that assesses the Candidate's confidence, behavior, prompt knowledge, and decision-making abilities when faced with a variety of questions. They are primarily framed in such a way to determine whether the candidate is qualified for the judicial position. Pausing for a few seconds, formulating an answer in the mind, and then answering it, could mirror the behavior or confidence positively. This will reduce the risk of inaccuracy while also conveying a positive or a better impression. Step 2 The questions asked in the PI could be two-fold, the procedural laws, general awareness about recent happenings, legal developments in the country and the candidates' opinion on these, and general questions about the candidate's chosen state, hometown, and why they want to be a judge. It is critical to keep up with the national news in the country and any local news relevant to the chosen state and hometown for this purpose. Step 3 Personal Interviews are conducted in high-pressure atmospheres. The Candidate must sit for mock interviews to understand, practice, and experience the real-time interview environment, which will help him/her understand how to tackle questions that are mainly subjective. The Candidate must practice the similar or repeated type of questions that are generally asked in Personal Interviews as minimum words as possible since the interview board is always looking for a short yet apt answer to whatever question has been put forward. This would ultimately acquaint the candidate with the interview process and make them feel more confident while giving the interview. Coaching or Self-Study Self-study will always be vital, whether the candidate takes coaching or not. Simply enrolling in judicial coaching does not guarantee that they will pass the exam. Only a small percentage of those who enroll in coaching classes pass the exam. As a result, effective self-study and selecting the appropriate type of assistance will be most beneficial. On the other hand, using the services of a judiciary coaching that meets the candidates’ needs, on the other hand, can ensure that they get more out of self-study and have all the support they need to prepare for a challenging exam like the judiciary. Daily Habits Reading newspapers for current happenings in and around the Country and the Selected State as well. Reading legal magazines for current happenings in the Legal Industry. Subscribed to Live Law or Bar and Bench for important verdicts. Reading Bare Acts and relevant judgments. Recommended Books for Judiciary Examination Preparation Indian Penal Code Textbook on Indian Penal Code by K.D Gaur The Indian Penal Code Paperback by Ratanlal Indian Evidence Act The Law of Evidence by Batuklal Textbook on the Indian Evidence Act by K.D. Gaur Indian Contract Act Indian Contract Act by R.K. Bangia Hindu Law Modern Hindu Law by Paras Diwan Limitation Act Indian Limitation Act by J.D. Jain Civil Procedure Code Civil Procedure Code with Limitation Act by C.K. Takwani Arbitration and Conciliation Act Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 by Lawmann’s Muslim Law Muslim Laws with Model Nikahnama-Bare act with short Notes by Universal Jurisprudence Jurisprudence by J. G. Riddall Criminal Procedure Code R. V. Kelkar's Criminal Procedure by R.V. Kelkar's Most successful candidates urge applicants to follow the golden rule, which is to concentrate on the Bare Acts. Solving MCQs from question banks or test series available online is also highly recommended by successful candidates. The reason for this is that it is necessary to train the mind in two areas: Solve questions faster. Perform well under pressure. The two most important aspects of any exam are time management and accuracy. The reward will be greater if time is managed well. To read a detailed article on the pattern of the Indian Judicial Services Examination, please click here. Also, for more information on Judicial Services Exams of different States, please click here. LegalBots.in wish you the best!

Gaurav

Jun 30, 2022

Hurford Youth Fellowship 2023 by The World Movement for Democracy

The World Movement for Democracy is inviting applications for the Hurford Youth Fellowship Program 2023, for youth interested in promoting democracy in their communities. About the Organization The World Movement for Democracy is a global network of civil society activists, scholars, parliamentarians, thought leaders, journalists, and funders who are committed to advancing democracy. Since 1999, they have facilitated networking among democracy supporters and convened discussions and workshops on democracy in different regions of the world. They actively empower the democracy movements to engage in cross-regional solidarity, as well as share knowledge, support, and strategies with one another. Hurford Youth Fellowship Program 2022 The Hurford Youth Fellowship Program seeks to build leadership skills and harness the potential of young democracy activists from around the world. Through the Program, young activists spend 3 months at the World Movement’s Secretariat, during which they expand their global connections, share experiences with other activists from democracy movements around the world, and contribute to the development of the World Movement for Democracy. Hurford Youth Fellows engage in strategic meetings; conduct research; and organize and lead presentations, online discussions, and information-sharing sessions on key democracy issues. Upon the successful completion of each fellowship, the fellows serve as a regional/country focal point, working with the Hurford Youth Fellowship Alumni Network to remain involved and take the lead in youth-related activities. Benefits Each fellow will receive a monthly stipend for living expenses, plus basic health insurance and roundtrip travel to and from Washington, D.C. Stipends take into account the cost of living in Washington, D.C. Fellows are provided with a fully equipped office, including internet and email access, and a limited budget for fellowship-related long distance phone calls. The World Movement Secretariat staff plays a vital role in helping fellows realize their fellowship objectives by collaborating with them on their fellowship projects and engaging them in ongoing discussions about their work. NED houses a Democracy Resource Center (DRC), which includes a library with some 20,000 works, including books, journals, grantee reports, and other publications on democracy. The DRC’s expert staff members assist fellows with their research interests. Fellows may enjoy access to other local libraries as needed. Eligibility Open to applicants from any country. Applicants interested in the Hurford Youth Fellows Program must be no older than 30 years of age. They must demonstrate strong interest in democratic activism and in the advancement of democracy in their respective communities, as well as worldwide. Youth affiliated with civil society organizations are especially encouraged to apply. Working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite for participation in the program for general communication purposes. All application materials must be submitted in English. Location Washington D.C Contact Information World Movement for Democracy Secretariat National Endowment for Democracy Contact Number: +1-202-378-9700 E-mail: [email protected] To apply click here For more information click here

Gaurav

Jun 29, 2022

The Rhodes Scholarships for India 2023

Applications are now open for The Rhodes Scholarships for India 2023, till August 1, 2022. Find complete official details on their website. Read carefully before applying. About the Rhodes The Rhodes Scholarship programme is the oldest (established 1903) international scholarship programme in the world, and one of the most prestigious. Administered by the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, the programme offers 100 fully-funded Scholarships each year for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom – one of the world’s leading universities. Rhodes Scholarships are for young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others, and show promise of becoming value-driven, principled leaders for the world’s future. How Does it Work? Each year, there are five Scholarships available for India. The first Indian Rhodes Scholars took up residence in Oxford in 1947, and since that time over two hundred Indians have been awarded the Scholarship. Rhodes Scholars in residence in Oxford have compiled an ‘Unofficial Guide’ to writing the personal statement/essay, which the Selection Committee would like to make available to all applicants. Eligibility Citizenship: You must be a citizen of India, holding an Indian passport, or equivalent proof of citizenship; PIO or OCI cardholders do not satisfy the Indian citizenship criteria for this purpose. Education/Residency: You must have undertaken formal study at an educational institution in India for a minimum of 4 of the last 10 years, and have either (i) completed a school-leaving exam (10th or 12th standard or equivalent) at a school in India, or (ii) have received, or be in the final year of, an undergraduate degree at a university in India. Age: You must meet either of the below criteria: Upon October 1, 2022, you must be at least 18 and have not reached your 24th birthday (i.e. you must have been born after October 1, 1998 and on or before October 1, 2004). OR (for older candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual) Upon October 1, 2022, you must have not reached your 27th birthday (i.e. have been born after October 1, 1995 AND You have met or will meet the academic requirements for completing your first undergraduate degree on or after October 1, 2021* Academic Achievement: You must have completed (or will have completed by June/July 2023) your undergraduate degree with First Class, or equivalent. Successful candidates typically feature within the top few ranks of their graduating classes. Please note: only one of the five available Scholarships (and, in exceptional cases, two) may be awarded in aggregate to candidates who are pursuing, or have pursued, their undergraduate studies at a university located outside India and inter-jurisdictional Candidates. If unsuccessful in your first application to the Rhodes Scholarships, you may subsequently re-apply only once more (and this must be in the same constituency), subject to meeting the eligibility criteria Courses for Rhodes Scholarship Please visit the ‘Conditions of tenure ’ page for further details How to Apply? You can apply online from June 1, 2022 at the website via the scholarships tab. While applying for the scholarship, you should read carefully the general information. If you are longlisted you will be invited to attend a preliminary interview, which may be held in person or via video conference. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a social engagement (a tea or dinner with the selection committee hosted by the Chairman) and a final interview. Interviews will be held between September-November 2021. No candidate will be selected without an interview. The granting of an interview is entirely within the discretion of the Selection Committee. A domestic travel allowance for candidates invited for the final interview will be paid by the Rhodes Trust. International travel will not be reimbursed. All applicants will be emailed with the outcome of their application. Deadlines Applications must be submitted online by 23:59 IST, Monday, August 1, 2022. References must be written in English and must be uploaded by 23:59, IST, August 16, 2022. The completed form must reach the Registrar by no later than noon GMT Friday November 25, 2022 (5:30 PM Friday, Indian Standard Time (IST)) Important Links Information for candidates click here Official website for the Rhodes Schlarships for India 2023 click here To apply click here

Gaurav

Jun 28, 2022

IUSSP Population, Ethics, and Human Rights Fellowship 2022

About the Fellowship The IUSSP Scientific Panel on Population Perspectives and Demographic Methods to Strengthen Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems, jointly with the Institute on Inequalities in Global Health (USC IIGH), University of Southern California (United States), Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WiSER), University of Witwatersrand (South Africa) and Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER) (Uganda), is issuing a global call for applications to host 3 early career research/practitioner professionals for a 12-month period. The Fellowship requires a full-time commitment during a 12-month residence period — Fellows will be hosted for 6 months at WiSER, Johannesburg, and 6 months at ISER, Uganda (fellowship extension beyond 12 months is subject to available funding). The Fellowship Program will include support for individual and group research projects, interactive dialogues, seminars, and research/practitioner workshops that seek to unpack interdisciplinary perspectives with a particular focus on emerging challenges in low- and middle-income countries. Fellows will be supported by the IUSSP Scientific Panel and the partner institutions WiSER (South Africa), ISER (Uganda), and IIGH (United States). Edureka - PG Diploma in AI & Machine Learning Locations Johannesburg, South Africa (February – July 2023) Kampala, Uganda (August 2023 – January 2024) Eligibility Applications will be accepted from low- and middle-income countries from different geographic regions and disciplinary expertise and supported to become a cohort of thought leaders in this emerging field, including support for multidisciplinary collaboration. Fellows will be hosted at WiSER and ISER, so their residential fellowship will include direct study of and engagement with contemporary issues in South Africa and Uganda, as a complement to their own studies or areas of work (even if not specifically focused on South Africa or Uganda). Educational Requirements Either a completed Ph.D. or at least 3-years of professional experience in the field of legal identity, global health, human rights, population studies, or related fields such as social sciences, law, and public policy. Fellowship Stipends and Allowances Stipend: US$27,500 over 12 months to cover all living expenses. Travel Costs: Economy airfares from current residence to Johannesburg, between Johannesburg and Kampala, and between Kampala and Johannesburg, and home again. Administrative Costs: Health insurance and visa costs. How to Apply? Interested individuals are encouraged to apply, by completing the online application form by 31 August at the very latest. The form requires: Filling out the basic information in the form. Listing the names and contact details of at least 2 professional/academic references. Uploading of a short cover letter (2 pages, in pdf), briefly describing your professional achievements in relation with the fellowship as well what inspired you to apply. [Kindly use the following file naming convention: “LASTNAME-firstname-CoverLetter” e.g. SMITH-Lynda-CoverLetter.pdf] Uploading of a curriculum vitae (in pdf) [Naming the file:”LASTNAME-firstname-CV” e.g. SMITH-Michael-CV.pdf] Uploading a short description of the research project you wish to undertake (Project Title, Abstract, Background, Objectives, Methods, Funding…) “LASTNAME-firstname-ResearchProject” e.g. SMITH-Fatima-ResearchProject.doc ] Please read the instructions provided in the full PDF Call for Applications (above) and prepare your application materials beforehand to be able to copy-paste them into the online application form. The information must be submitted in English. The application form can be edited after completion until the 31 August deadline (logging into the form using the same email). Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Application Deadline August 31, 2022 Contact Email: [email protected] For more information click here

Gaurav

Jun 27, 2022

Interview with Yash Agarwal - A Career in Public Policy

As a law student or a lawyer, you must have heard the terms such as ‘public policy, ‘policy making’, etc at least a few times. Have you ever wondered what exactly ‘public policy is, what avenues are open in this field, or what a career in this space would be like? In our effort to share more about Public Policy with you, we interviewed Yash Agarwal, who works as a Public Policy Associate at a renowned social media platform. Yash also runs and leads ‘Public Policy India’, a knowledge platform dedicated to making Public Policy more engaging and accessible for citizens. Please tell us a bit about yourself. How would you describe your experience at Symbiosis, Pune? Symbiosis was a great experience. I pursued a BA in Mass Communications, and I majored in Journalism. I grew and learned so much during the three years of college, and I am very grateful for that. The course was fairly interdisciplinary and we were exposed to all kinds of viewpoints and perspectives, which was great. The professors were very chill, and the conversations on campus were rather enriching - there was always something to learn and to do! Moreover, the program that I majored in i.e. journalism was by its very nature open to a lot more inquiry, and worldviews and it fostered a broader knowledge base overall. How did you begin your career post-undergrad mass communication degree? I would say I laid the foundation for my career throughout three years of college itself in a sense. For example, I did five internships while in college, all of them in different cities and different sectors within the broader policy space, because I wanted a sense of exposure and learning for myself. Similarly, while I was in college, I started reaching out to people in the space and volunteering to add value and work with them in whatever capacity I could have alongside pursuing a full-time education program. But coming back to your question, technically I began my career after college when I started off with the LAMP fellowship, and this is something we’ll come to! What does a ‘career in Public Policy’ mean? How did you come to specialise in ‘Public Policy’? How was your experience at The Takshashila Institution? When we use the term “Public Policy” here, we refer to the broader umbrella of professions and practices which include policy consulting, policy communications, working in the development sector, working with the government, running a social enterprise, and so on. What a career in public policy essentially entails is working in any of these fields across a range of focus areas and different skill-set requirements. How I came to discover policy and build a career here was a happenstance! I went to college thinking that I would pursue journalism, but slowly as I read up more, and especially given my habit of reading anything and everything under the sun – I realised I could probably use my knowledge base in other ways. I started off by entering Teach For India in Chennai and went on to do multiple internships while in college with all of them being in different sectors - education, health, gender, law-making et cetera. It slowly gave me a better perspective of the space and how it functions, what is it that I like, and more importantly what is it that I did not find to be up to my alley. Over time I discovered that tech policy is something I genuinely enjoyed the most, and this is something that the short-term program with Takshashila institution assisted me with, helping me gain a firmer academic footing here. Could you please tell us a bit about your LAMP fellowship experience? How does it benefit a person interested in Public Policy? Ah, it was the best! For context – Legislative Assistant to Member of Parliament (LAMP) is a year-long fellowship wherein you work with an MP for a year on a range of responsibilities and focus areas. One thing that people don’t discuss enough the entire LAMP experience, is that by virtue of being a fellowship-there are large elements of education embedded as well, alongside working of course. While working with a member of Parliament, getting to meet MPs across party lines, and having the company of some of the smartest people I’ve ever known was all great – a big takeaway for me from the fellowship was the phenomenal workshops that were organised for us almost every other week or so with some of the best minds from the space interacting with us and sharing their experiences and learnings. It was one year full of learning, discovery, varied experiences and an eye-opener through and through. What was your experience like as a Government/Public Affairs Consultant? This is the year immediately after LAMP, I was engaged as a policy consultant with a public policy consulting firm based out of New Delhi. My personal experience was that it was a great place to be at, and with a team that was always welcoming of different perspectives and more importantly allowed one to make mistakes and learn from them. The best part about my experience there was the sheer diversity of clients and mandates that I go to work on. It forced me to learn more but also meaningfully expanded my knowledge base! What is ‘Public Policy India’? How, according to you, can others benefit from this platform? PPI is a knowledge and career navigation platform dedicated to the cause of Public Policy in India. The vision for PPI is to create a one-stop hub for all things policy in India. Via our multiple products across different platforms - we focus on this burgeoning section of the Indian youth which is deeply excited by the prospects within Public Policy as a field and wants to build a career in the larger Public Policy space but has no background in the same.. The Public Policy Space in India is on the cusp of a boom - there’s no one dedicated platform which focuses solely on serving such a thriving community with a set of needs of its own - that’s where we wish to be at. When I say “Public Policy”, I mean to include the larger Policy space including - Government Affairs, Policy Consulting, Development Sector/NGOs, Policy Comms, etc. What do we do? PPI focuses on two specific outcomes - functioning as a knowledge platform with the aim of making the audience more aware of Policy issues in India and more importantly why they should care about them, via our PolicyGrams. We simplify complex yet highly socially relevant issues in a way the audience understands. These are easy-to-read, visually appealing products in a platform and format of our Target Audience’s choice. The second prong of our focus is Career Guidance and Support - A range of services and products with the sole focus on making it easier for someone to make a career in the larger Public Policy space. Through our newsletter, ThePolicyPost, we've created an instrument that brings all policy updates, Internships, Courses, and Job opportunities at the touch of a button. Similarly, we’ve started conducting a number of webinars on different fellowships and other such opportunities with experts on our YouTube to allow people to make an informed choice as they approach some of these opportunities. You can find our work here: Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsletter, Website What is your advice for students/young professionals who want to pursue a career in Public Policy? What avenues are open in this field? I’ll share a few principles which I believe could be super helpful for anyone looking to build a career in this space! Skills - Skills come in two bundles - hard and soft. And the sphere of public policy is centered heavily around the softer, overlooked, intangible skills on your resume. Public policy is entirely a people’s business. That’s just the nature of the craft. How you communicate, manage stakeholders, listen to others, manage time, and exercise interpersonal skills makes or breaks your track record in the sector. All of it really boils down to working with human beings, solving complex challenges together while earning their trust. Now, hard skills - important of course, but much easier to learn and acquire than their counterparts. I did not start off by knowing how to code or design graphics. However, as part of building my startup, I’ve had to learn several hard skills, say, website maintenance for example, and it’s been a breeze. Should the need arise, these skills are something you can pick up. But soft skills? Indispensable and critical right from the word go. Proof of work - The newcomers' greatest blessing and the worst curse. The policy space is unique, in that it cares more for the work you’ve done and the skills you have to show for it, than a degree. Don’t get me wrong - an educational background in public policy remains important and helpful. But in no way is it indispensable, with maybe exceptions like a career in Policy research or academia. So, invest your time in getting your hands dirty in this field. Part-time engagements like volunteering and interning count as well and can be crucial for students who cannot work full-time! The exposure, networks, and on-the-job learning you build just being out there remains unparalleled. Sample it out - Policy is vast and all-encompassing. In thematic focus areas and also skill sets - it needs everyone and has space for all backgrounds, be it a chemist or a chartered accountant. But while that is welcome, it is in equal parts intimidating to figure out where it is true that your niche lies. The opportunity costs of switching between, say, education to tech policy after years of having built a career within the former can be quite steep. It is a good idea, hence, to sample your interests in your early years! Sit with a writing or typing tool and jot down your answer to the question. What is something you do out of passion? Something you would do maybe even if nobody paid you to? Being passionate about what you do, whatever that may be, that’s your deepest competitive advantage! Intern, volunteer, and spend time figuring out what you like and are good at. In due process, you will know what you dislike which in a field this all-encompassing is great awareness to have. Shun the competition - The policy space in India is still in its early days. There isn’t much that is linear about building a career here. In the US, someone wanting to build a career in policy may have some semblance of paths between a Senator’s office, campaigning for a congresswoman up for elections, interning at the State Capitol, or an advocacy firm. In India, a lot of these are still evolving roles and verticals with limited awareness. But you can turn this perceived disadvantage into opportunities! The lack of preset routes allows you to chart a course of your own with minimal hindrance or cookie-cutter approaches to compare to. In India, simply reaching out to ask for a potential engagement while positioning yourself as someone who can add value yields a genuinely high chance of hearing back and might land you that one opportunity you’re looking for. While there are hundreds of job opportunities in this field that you could (and should!) apply for, don’t be afraid to send out a cold email or get in touch with someone to talk about how you think your skills fit into the puzzle. As cliche as it sounds, you do miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Add to your luck - Google says, “Luck Surface Area is the amount of action you take around your passion combined with the number of people you communicate your passion too. The equation is L = D x T, where L is luck, D is doing and T is telling.” Doing good work is important, but also being able to communicate the same is a big advantage! Some of our best professional opportunities came our way just because a set of people were aware of our work, passion, and more importantly what it was that we were looking to switch to next. Do good work. Don’t fret talking about it either. You never know what might come your way next!

Gaurav

Jun 12, 2022

Corporate Law vs Litigation

Law students are often confused between joining litigation or corporate law after their graduation. In this post, we examine the pros and cons of both these options. The students, fully informed of the various perks and shortcomings that they may face in a certain career option would be better equipped to make a decision and reach successful heights in their careers. Litigation as a career option: Pros Autonomy and Functional Independence One of the most important privileges that are served in the profession of litigation vis-a-vis that of a corporate law is autonomy and independence. In case one chooses to practice as an independent counsel, there is great control that he/she can exercise of the matters one wants to appear for, the number of cases to take up, the practice area that one wants to focus on etc. The option of elevation to the apex courts While working in litigation, there is a great opportunity of being elevated to the High Court, after 10 years of practice. In fact, the majority of High Court and Supreme Court judges at present in India, have been successful litigators in the past. Working with a firm does not leave that option open for future elevation to the bench. Lucrative career Litigation can be financially a very bright career option. Though, for freshers with no legal background, it might take a lot of hustle and hard work to establish one’s reputation, but once that is done, that litigation can be extremely rewarding in monetary terms. Personal Satisfaction As litigation has a self-propelled, autonomous mechanism for functioning, it allows one to take up cases on a pro-bono basis. A lot of successful lawyers at the Supreme Court regularly engage in pro-bono work to voice the needs of the vulnerable. Social Connect In case of litigation, the clients vary from individuals to businesses. By interacting with clients from different backgrounds and engaging with them personally on a one-to-one basis, one develops a close connection with the social reality and the ground-level existence of life. Immense scope for growth in small towns As opposed to corporate law firms which are situated mostly only in big metro cities, litigation can be practiced in small towns. This is an added advantage and enables a person to smoothly manage his/her profession along with some important familial obligations. There is no strict need in case of litigation to move to Delhi or other metro cities. In fact, there are greater chances of gaining a reputation as an efficient lawyer in a short time, if one practice in small cities. Mentally stimulating and adventurous Working in the legal field can be mentally engaging as well. This is the type of career for you if you appreciate the problem-solving and critical analysis. Furthermore, you'll be engaging with people on a regular basis as you interact with clients – if you enjoy socialising and working in a group, this could be the career for you. Litigation as a career option: Cons Initial Struggle and Hard Work In the initial phase as a litigation lawyer, it may be extremely challenging and difficult to establish one’s repute and goodwill. It requires a lot of hard work to understand the practical functioning of the courts in all its depth, to attract clients, etc. Constant Hustle There is a lot of physical energy and activity involved in litigation since one may be racing around courts and finding it frustrating to wait for hours for judges to hear your case. It's possible that you'll have to wait for the case to be heard, which may take the entire day. No fixed salary In case one chooses to get into independent practice, then the income you earn would vary from time to time, upon the clientele available. It is one profession where one cannot afford to work with a relaxed approach and have to constantly work hard, lest the overwhelming competition would overtake him in this highly crowded profession. Extremely competitive The profession of litigation is extremely competitive. There are very experienced lawyers in India, who have been practicing for several years and know the art of litigation. To compete with them might be a very challenging task. Personal Accountability and Responsibility towards the client In case of litigation, there is direct accountability of the lawyer towards the client. As opposed to this, in corporate the accountability of the associate is only towards the firm. The issue of personal accountability toward the client may sometimes lead to overwhelming stress for the lawyer. Self-management In litigation, unlike corporate law firms, the professional is not always provided with the cushioning of several services which make dispensation of service easy, for eg. travel services, and a designated office place to work at. All these services are required to be self-arranged and provided for, which might be a financial burden in the beginning. Corporate Law Firm Job: Pros Highly rewarding financially Because corporate law is the highest-paying field of law, one may expect to earn significantly more than litigation lawyers with comparable expertise, in the initial phase. No physical hustle As opposed to the profession of a litigation lawyer who has to run around courts to argue, wait for the proceedings, etc, one does not have to travel around much in corporate law practise, and one can get things done while sitting in the office. High Growth Possibility As a corporate lawyer, one can expect to have swift promotions in their journey, if they commit time, energy, and dedication to their work. Tier 1 and Tier 2 law firms in India have a very robust policy of bonus payments and have in the past promoted associates to the positions of partners in a span of fewer than 10 years. Opportunity to interact with Experts Top Corporate law firms in India, are the hub of legal expertise in our country. Lawyers with the best knowledge in niche areas of law serve as partners at higher positions in these firms. Getting an opportunity to interact with and work with these bright legal minds closely on legal issues, greatly assists the process of learning and professional development. Fixed Salary As opposed to litigation, where your income varies from phase to phase, here, a fixed salary is ensured and that brings a sense of financial stability, security, and balance to life. Corporate Law Firm Job: Cons Long Hours of Work The job in a corporate law firm requires long hours of hard work. There are short deadlines, and the official working hours are often exceeded by the firms. In the initial phase, one may not find any time for socializing or any other personal obligation. Lack of Independence and Autonomy As opposed to the profession of a litigation lawyer, there is no independence to choose the work or the client that an associate in a corporate law firm wants to engage with. One is strictly bound by the work regimen of the firm and the requirements of the seniors in the firm. Desk Job The job of a corporate lawyer is a complete desk job, which may lead to a monotonous work style and a lack of a general sense of adventure, and challenge in work. The sense of professional thrill and adventure is observed to be rarely felt among young professionals in this field. Mechanical Work In the initial phase of joining a corporate law firm, freshers are often not always given core legal assignments i.e. to frame legal arguments, rather they might at times be asked to make spreadsheets, excel files, or do some due diligence work. This might be draining and uninteresting. Strict hierarchy As opposed to a litigation lawyer, who works as his own boss, in the case of corporate law firms, there is a long hierarchy of professionals. For students who are averse to this sort of structure, it might be a huge problem. Limited to metro cities Big law firms in India have their branches only in metro cities, subject to some rare exceptions. This requires one to mandatorily move out of his/her hometown [if that is not a metro-city], and settle there. This may be quite problematic for students from non-metro cities, who might have certain routine familial obligations to take care of. Conclusion It can be seen that both career options have certain pros and cons. However, none of these are fully applicable to every law student, in their entirety. It is for the law students to meticulously examine and introspect about their core interests, their aptitude and then make the decision of choosing a career path that is suitable for them and their growth. We sincerely hope that all the students reading this found this analysis helpful and are able to figure out what suits you the best.

Gaurav

Jun 10, 2022

Prerana Vidyalaya Teaching Fellowship 2022

Prerana Vidyalaya in Chattisgarh is inviting applications from talented and passionate youth for a teaching & learning experience at Prerana Vidyalaya for Teaching Fellowship 2022, spanning for 2-months. About Prerana Vidyalaya Prerana Vidyalaya, located on a 44-acre scenic and peaceful campus in Village Kathiya (Chhattisgarh), began in March 2017 by people inspired by the co-existential philosophy of Madhyasth Darshan (Propounded by Late Shri A Nagraj Ji). This school is an initiative toward the humanization of education. Gandhi Vidya Mandir, Sardarshahar, Churu, Rajasthan has played a pioneering role in helping transform this initiative into reality This school is a Higher Secondary English Medium School affiliated with the Chhattisgarh Board. The primary responsibility for the functioning of Prerana Vidyalaya is shouldered by the families of Manav Teerth – a center for the study and practice of Madhyasth Darshan. The school focuses on the holistic development of its children and aims for excellence in all fields. Our team has qualified, competent and highly motivated individuals. The school endeavors to shape its teaching to impart values and academic excellence. About Manav Teerth Manav Teerth is located 3.5 kms from the school in Village Kiritpur. It is nearly a 100-acre campus, with 7 families and 20 graduate/post-graduate students, and 40 school hostel students living on campus. This campus runs a 3-year residential program for youth studying and practicing Madhyasth Darshan. The Vidyalaya’s hostel is also located in and run by Manav Teerth residents. About the Fellowship Prerana Teaching Fellowship is a minimum 2-month fellowship to assist Prerana Vidyalaya in all its activities. One of the main aims would be to help students speak in English and also build a strong online presence of the Vidyalaya. Duration 2 months (minimum) One can join anytime starting June 2022 Nature of Work & Responsibilities In-School – help with all the school-related activities (scholastic and non-scholastic) especially teaching the English language. Also, help with strengthening the school’s social media presence. At Manav Teerth – participate in its daily activities such as shram (physical work in the gaushala/vegetable farming/kitchen, etc.), exercise, and maintaining the campus culture. Benefit to the Fellows Experience living a self-regulated routine amid nature with like-minded young individuals and families. Learn to live with a diverse group of people, multi-task, become physically fit, build a broad vision of education, and learn simple yet effective learning techniques. Eligibility Fluency in English Good with technical skills and social media Open-minded, self-motivated, and willing to learn Boarding, Lodging, Stipend Fellows will reside at Manav Teerth. Their boarding and lodging will be taken care of by the Vidyalaya. The fellow will also be offered a monthly stipend. Mentors Families at Manav Teerth and the Teaching Faculty of Prerana Vidyalaya will guide the fellows through their tenure here. Manav Teerth residents are from across India with expertise in education, filmmaking, farming, dairy farming, Ayurved and health, tailoring, cooking, etc. Selection Process Step 1: Fill up the form Step 2: Telephonic Interview 1: Shortlisted applicants will be given a call within 7 days Step 3: Interview 2: Further shortlisted candidates will have a final interview call with members of Prerana Vidyalaya and Manav Teerth Last Date to Apply 1 or 2 volunteers to join us as soon as possible (starting June 2022). Contact Information For more information, contact: 9131752661, 9811050116 For more information and to apply online, click here.

Gaurav

Jun 09, 2022

Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program 2023-24 [Post-Doctoral Fellowships]

Applications are now open for the Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program (Post-Doctoral Fellowship) 2023-24, for those who have obtained a PhD in the last 2 years. About the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship The Radcliffe Institute is based at Harvard University. The Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program (Post-Doctoral Fellowship) 2023-24 is a uniquely interdisciplinary and creative community. This fellowship at Radcliffe is an opportunity to step away from usual routines and dive deeply into a project. With access to Harvard’s unparalleled resources, Radcliffe fellows develop new tools and methods, challenge artistic and scholarly conventions, and illuminate our past and our present. Throughout the year, fellows regularly convene to share their work in progress. Coming from diverse disciplines and perspectives, they challenge each other’s ideas and support each other’s ambitions. Duration of the Fellowship 9 Months (September 2023 – May 2024). Stipend Fellows receive a stipend of $78,000 (Rs. 58.3 Lacs) plus an additional $5,000 (Rs. 3.7 Lacs) to cover project expenses. Please note that if you are a US citizen or permanent resident coming from a home institution based in the US, you can opt to have your stipend paid through your home institution or to you directly. Funding Harvard Radcliffe Fellows may also be eligible to receive relocation, housing, and childcare funds to aid them in making a smooth transition to Radcliffe. Health care support is made available as needed. Eligibility Applicants in the humanities and social sciences must: Have received their doctorate (or appropriate terminal degree) in the area of their proposed project at least two years prior to their appointment as a fellow (December 2021 for the 2023-24 fellowship year). Have published a monograph or at least two articles in refereed journals or edited collections. Applicants in the creative arts must meet discipline-specific eligibility requirements, as outlined below: Film and Video: Applicants in this discipline must have a body of independent work of significant achievement. Such work will typically have been exhibited in galleries or museums, shown in film or video festivals, or broadcast on television. Visual Arts: Applicants in this discipline must show strong evidence of achievement, with a record of at least five years of work as a professional artist, including participation in several curated group shows and at least two professional solo exhibitions. Fiction and Nonfiction: Applicants in these disciplines must have one of the following: one or more published books; a contract for the publication of a book-length manuscript; or at least three shorter works (longer than newspaper articles) published. Poetry: Applicants in this discipline must have had published at least 20 poems in the last five years or published a book of poetry, and must be in the process of completing a manuscript. Journalism: Applicants in this discipline are required to have worked professionally as a journalist for at least five years. Playwriting: Applicants in this discipline must have a significant body of independent work in the form. This will include, most typically, plays produced or under option. Music Composition: It is desirable, but not required, for applicants in music composition to have a PhD or DMA. Most importantly, the applicant must show strong evidence of achievement as a professional artist, with a record of recent performances. Important Notes Individuals who are applying as practitioners must have held senior leadership positions in non-profits, government, or the private sector. Practitioners should have at least ten years of relevant professional experience and be acknowledged as leaders in their fields. Former Harvard Radcliffe fellows (1999-present) are ineligible to apply. Non-US Citizens: Applicants from throughout the world are encouraged to apply. Harvard University typically sponsors J-1 scholar visas for Harvard Radcliffe Fellows. Applicants cannot be students in doctoral or master’s programs at the time of application submission unless the dissertation has been accepted and degree is forthcoming (and field-specific eligibility requirements have been met). Applicants must demonstrate a strong body of independent work that has been published, exhibited, or performed. Number of Fellowships This program awards 50 fellowships each academic year. Applicants may apply as individuals or in a group of two to three people working on the same project. Focus Areas Law, education, and justice Climate change and its human impacts, especially projects that address the disproportionate impacts of the climate crisis on marginalized or under-resourced communities Legacies of slavery Reflecting Radcliffe’s unique history and institutional legacy, we welcome proposals that focus on women, gender, and society or draw on the Schlesinger Library’s rich collections. How to Apply? The application consists of the following: An application form, Curriculum Vitae (CV), Project proposal (with bibliography when appropriate), A writing or work sample, and The contact information of three references who will be prompted, via email, to upload letters of recommendation in support of your application. All materials must be submitted via the online application portal. Application Process Register as a new user by entering your name, email address, and password responses on the New User Registration page of the online application. Once you have registered, you may login to the portal and select an application area: Humanities and Social Sciences, Creative Arts (including Journalists and Nonfiction writers), or Science, Engineering, and Mathematics. If you would like to apply as a practitioner, please select the Humanities and Social Sciences application and follow the instructions for practitioners given in the FAQs. Important Deadlines The deadline for applications in humanities, social sciences, and creative arts is September 8, 2022. The deadline for applications in science, engineering, and mathematics is September 29, 2022. Contact Information & Links e-Mail ID: [email protected] Official Website FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) For more information, click here.

Gaurav

Jun 09, 2022

The TED Fellowship Program 2023

The TED Fellowship Program 2023 is inviting applications for a new group of extraordinary, multidisciplinary innovators on the rise in their respective fields who are doing bold, original work. About the Organization TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment, and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events to help share ideas in communities around the world. About TED Fellowship Program 2023 The TED Fellowship Program recognizes people at work on future-shaping ideas, offering them tools to amplify the power of their vision. Each year, a new group of TED Fellows from around the world, and from every discipline, are welcomed into this international community of remarkable thinkers and doers who have shown unusual accomplishment, exceptional courage, the strength of character, and the potential to create positive change in their respective fields. Find the answers to your questions, here. Fellowship Location Given the global pandemic this conference may be canceled and the TED Fellowship may become entirely virtual, depending on expert advice and local health safety protocols. Benefits The TED Fellowship program has the potential to catapult your career forward. The program offers TED’s power to articulate and amplify the vision of TED Fellows. They support the individual capacity-building required to take the global stage. They equip TED Fellows with public speaking and media training, professional coaching, educational programming, and peer support. They connect TED Fellows to a global network of peers and industry leaders because the only way to succeed is together. Eligibility The TED Fellows Program recognizes the folks working on-the-ground on world-changing ideas — the doers, makers, inventors, advocates, filmmakers and photographers, musicians and artists, educators, scientists, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and human rights activists. If you’re at work on a future-shaping idea and over the age of 18, you should apply. The TED Fellows program is not an academic fellowship and non-traditional educations are welcome. In addition to impressive accomplishment, fine character and a good heart are also important traits they look for in TED Fellows. How to Apply for the TED Fellowship? To apply, you’ll submit an application online during TED’s open application cycle. Your written application is the primary means for showcasing your work — tell TED what makes your work unique and impactful. Please write clearly for a general audience and assume the selection panel knows nothing about your field. Only applications written in English are accepted. Late submissions will not be entertained. Once your application has been received, TED starts reading. They read every application, and therefore the selection process takes time. You can expect to hear back 8 months after the application closes. All applicants are notified whether or not they have been selected to join the TED Fellows program. Deadline The deadline to submit your application is June 30, 2022 at 11:59 PM UTC. For more information, click here.

Gaurav

Jun 06, 2022

What is UGC NET (Law) and How to crack it?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the UGC NET (Law) twice a year for the students in their final year pursuing LLM and LLM graduates or a related stream who wish to explore their career options in law. Qualifying the exam makes one eligible for the post of Assistant Professor, Junior Research Fellow (JRF), and various other jobs relating to the academic profession in the reputed organisations. The article aims to provide detailed information on the UGC NET (Law) exam, career opportunities after clearing the exam, and study tips towards the end. Read on! Career opportunities after clearing the exam Candidates can pursue research in their respective postgraduate disciplines after passing the exam. They can enroll in Ph.D. programmes at various universities and IIMs by selecting universities from the NET Coordinating Institutes. They are also awarded a five-year fellowship after registering for a Ph.D.: Rs. 31,000/month+HRA (HRA availability varies by the institute) for the first two years, and Rs. 35,000/month+HRA for the next three years. Qualified candidates can also work as researchers in a variety of organizations. Alternatively, such candidates can set up their own research laboratories. Candidates who pass the UGC-NET exam are also eligible for lucrative positions offered by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Eligibility Criteria Education Qualification Masters in Law or related subjects with a minimum of 55% (For General) and 50% (For OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Transgender). If you are in the qualifying year of your master’s or have passed the exams but are in the result awaited category, you can also apply for UGC NET. But, as per the NET Exam eligibility, the PG results must be declared within 2 years from the release date of the UGC NET Result declaration. Age limit For Assistant Professor, there are no?age limit criteria. For NET JRF, the age limit is 31 years (For General) and 36 years (for OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Female/Transgender). Note: Candidates who are pursuing an L.L.M. Degree get 3 years of relaxation in age. Months in which the exam is usually conducted The NTA conducts the UGC NET twice in a rolling year. Usually, the examinations are conducted in the months of June and December for the eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges. However, due to the pandemic, December 2020 and June 2021 cycles were merged and now the December 2021 and June 2022 have been merged. Paper Pattern, usual timings, and marking scheme UGC NET Law has two papers - Paper I and Paper-II. Paper I is common for all UGC NET applicants and Paper-II of UGC NET law is subject-specific. The paper pattern and marking scheme have been discussed below in detail: Exam Pattern Paper I Paper II Total Marks 100 200 Number of Questions 50 100 Syllabus Teaching & Research Aptitude, Communication, Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude, Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), People, Development & Environment, Data Interpretation, Higher Education System Jurisprudence, Constitutional and Administrative Laws, International Laws, Law of Crimes, Law of Torts and Consumer Protection, Commercial Law, Family Law (Hindu and Muslim law), Environmental and Human Rights Law, Intellectual Property Rights (Each unit contains 10 topics) Duration (no break between paper I and II) 1 hour 2 hours Marking pattern 2 marks for each correct answer (no negative marking) Language English and Hindi Mode of examination Online mode- Computer-based test (CBT) Usual Examination timings First Shift: 09.00 AM to 12.00 PM Second Shift: 03.00 PM to 06.00 PM Minimum marks needed to clear the exam General: 40% aggregate marks in both the papers taken together Other Backward Class-Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL)/Persons with Disability (PwD)/Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST): 35% aggregate marks in both the papers taken together Validity of the exam score Once you clear NET and JRF, you have 2 years of validity of the score for applying to colleges for research fellowship. The score has lifelong validity if you want to apply as an assistant professor. Types of questions asked Questions in the exam are usually asked in the following forms: Article/Section numbers Questions based on illustrations Situation based questions Definitions Judgments List of important documents Apart from basic information like email ID, personal phone number for registration, and permanent address with PIN code, candidates should also keep the other necessary documents and details to make the application procedure convenient, such as: Certificate from the University/board Identity proof issued by the government such as Aadhar Card, Ration Card, Voter Id, PAN Id Masters Degree Certificate (If your master’s degree result is not declared at the time of applying for the exam, it can be mentioned in the form itself.) Category/EWS/PWD Certificate (If Applicable) Scanned Photograph and Signature Exam information brochure for Code of UGC NET exam (For law, the code is 58) Code of post-graduation course (available in information brochure) Procedure to apply for the exam The application form can be filled only through online mode, as per the following procedure: Visit the NTA Official Website and click on the “Registration of Online Application Form for UGC-NET ” Login via application number and password or register your email id if not already registered. Fill out the application form (personal details, contact details, address, etc.). Note that the details must be appropriately filled otherwise the application form may get rejected. Upload scanned photographs & signature. It must be noted that: Both the files must be in JPG/JPEG format only. The size of the photograph must range from 10 KB to 200 KB and it must have the candidate's name and the date of the day when the picture was clicked. The size of the signature must range from 4 KB to 30 KB and it should be in running handwriting on white paper with a black pen. Pay the Examination Fee: The fee payment procedure under the UGC NET application is completely online. One can pay through Debit or Credit Card or through Net Banking or Paytm. If the confirmation page is not generated after the payment, it means that the transaction has been cancelled. In such cases, the amount will be refunded to the candidate’s account. However, the candidate will have to make another transaction for the UGC NET online payment. Print Confirmation Page: Once your form is successfully submitted, you can download the application form and take the printout for future reference. It is important to keep the print/softcopy of the online submitted UGC NET application as it is required at the time of downloading the UGC NET Admit Card. List of important books for Paper II UGC NET/SLET Law by Pankaj Jaiswal CBSE UGC NET Law by R Gupta (Contains all previous year questions) Trueman’s UGC NET Law by Suman Chauhan PSA Pillai for IPC Avtar Singh and R.K. Bangia for Law of Contracts R.K. Bangia’s Law of Torts IP Massey on Administrative Law Constitutional Law of India by Narendra Kumar For Company Law, MCA website can be referred as it provides all the latest amendments K. Jain for Public International Law or commentaries upon international law by Phillimore Paras Diwan’s Family Law (for Hindu Law) and Syed Khalid Rashid’s Muslim Law For other laws like Refugee Law, Human Rights, Arbitration, Labour, IBC, Tax, IPR, Environment, etc. bare acts can be referred and a simple google search can be conducted for latest judgments and notes. Study tips to crack the exam Examine the syllabus of UGC NET (Law) properly and mark separately all the topics/subjects which you know well and which need practice. Start your preparation by studying the subjects you know well. Prepare a systematic timetable. Make your own short notes so that you can revise them at the last minute. Solve previous years’ papers to learn the exact paper pattern, types of questions asked, and difficulty level, and identify the areas where you need improvement. One can also solve judicial service exam question papers. Practice the papers rigorously! Revise on a daily basis. Focus on the most important subjects first like Constitution, Jurisprudence, IPC, and international law. Allot most of your revision time to the subjects, which contain more weightage. Time management is very important for clearing the exam. Practice mock tests and review them properly to increase your speed and accuracy. Have a balanced approach regarding preparation for Paper I and II. Make a list of landmark and important case laws along with the judgment year and final decision. Devote at least 5-7 hours/day for preparation. Focus on bare acts. Then, refer to books. Prepare minimum 6 law subjects thoroughly for Paper II. Read the newspaper daily. Start learning from practicing i.e. start by solving MCQs. Start preparing 3 to 6 months before the exam. In case of any doubts or difficulties, seek help from teachers or seniors. Have faith and don’t lose your confidence. All the best!

Priyanka

Jun 03, 2022

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Defamation Trial

On Wednesday, June 1, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor, Johnny Depp won his defamation trial against his former wife Amber Heard. The explosive celebrity defamation trial has become a media sensation. Depp was awarded $15 million in damages, including $5 million in punitive damages, which the judge capped to $350,000, the legal limit in Virginia. In total, he is entitled to $10.35 million. The jury awarded Heard $2 million, with the finding that a former Depp attorney, Adam Waldman, had defamed her. Let us read how this multi-million dollar defamation case unfolded. The London Trial In 2020, Johnny Depp lost his U.K court case after a judge, in the absence of a jury, concluded that Depp assaulted his ex-wife Amber Heard on a dozen occasions. The libel case at London court began in 2018, centred around an article in one of U.K’s biggest tabloids, “The Sun”, which claimed Johnny Depp was a “wife beater”. Depp sued both the Publisher and The Sun’s executive director Dan Wotton for libel. After a three-week trial, Justice Andrew Nicol ruled against Depp in 2020, saying that the British newspaper had presented substantial evidence to show that Depp had been violent against Heard. Depp and his legal team tried to get the ruling overturned with an appeal but Judge Nicol refused to grant Depp the permission to appeal against his judgement stating that proposed grounds do not have a reasonable prospect of success. The judge also ordered Depp to make an initial payment of $841,733 to The Sun, to cover its legal fees. The Virginia Trial The trial in Virginia has covered the same ground. Depp and Heard’s defamation lawsuit began on 11 April 2022. Depp’s suit against Heard alleges that she defamed him, in December 2018, by writing an op-ed in The Washington Post claiming to be a survivor of domestic sexual violence. The trial took place in Fairfax County courthouse which is located in Virginia, US. Depp sued her in that area as the online edition of The Washington Post is published via servers in the County. However, Heard’s attorneys tried to move the trial to California but the major reason for Depp’s attorney to sue in Virginia was because of the State’s anti-SLAPP legislation, which is not as wide-ranging as in California. SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. Anti-SLAPP laws are intended to prevent people from using courts and the potential threat of a lawsuit, to intimidate people who are exercising their first amendment rights. Also, the presence of a jury which was absent in the U.K. is a strong reason for Depp suing his ex-wife in the US. While Johnny Depp wasn’t directly named in the newspaper article, the jury found that it contains clear implication by Amber Heard that he is a domestic abuser. He sued Heard seeking damages not less than $50 million for the false allegation, on the other hand Heard filed a counterclaim against Depp of $100 million for nuisance and immunity from his allegations. Contentions of the Parties Heard’s lawyer, J. Benjamin Rottenborn claimed that this lawsuit is centred around the question of whether Heard was exercising her First Amendment right to free speech by writing a statement for The Washington Post about her experience with domestic violence. On the other hand, Depp’s lawyer Benjamin Chew accused Heard of ruining Depp’s career, resulting in him being alienated from producers who once favoured the movie star. On 20 April 2022, Depp on his first stand testified that the real abuser in their relationship was his ex-wife Amber Heard, stating that her verbal attacks would turn into violence. Attorneys for Depp laid out evidence of Heard’s alleged abuse while Heard’s lawyers focused on Depp’s past drug and alcohol use. Depp stated that while he was filming his movie franchise “Pirates of the Caribbean” in Australia in 2015, he would lock himself up in the bathroom to avoid having a physical altercation over instigated verbal attacks by Heard. During that argument Depp said a large bottle of vodka was thrown at him by Heard, which made contact with his hand, slicing off his middle finger. Depp also testified that in a fight in 2016, Heard was responsible for faecal matter found on their shared bed after Depp threatened to end their marriage. When Depp and Heard reached a divorce settlement in 2016, Heard announced that she would donate her entire $7 million settlement money to two charity organisations, i.e, American Civil Liberties Union and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. However, the organisation testified that only one instalment was transferred by Amber Heard directly. It was also alleged that an amount was also transferred from the bank account of Elon Musk in the name of Heard. Amber Heard took her first stand on 4 May 2022, when she stated that to her surprise, Depp slapped her three times during a conversation about his tattoo. This was the first time she got hit by him to which the actress was in shock and did not know how to respond. Heard testified that in March 2013, after consuming a large amount of cocaine and hard liquor, Depp grabbed one of her pet dogs and held it out of a moving car window which created discomfort and showed cruelty towards the animal. She also alleged that in the same year, Depp did a cavity search on her while looking for his cocaine. According to her, Depp was harming himself by cutting his arms during fights by the end of 2016. Heard on her stand painted a picture of a man who oscillated between active addiction and sobriety, which made it hard for her to continue the relationship. Depp’s team leaned on the difference between Depp’s and Heard’s history. While previously, Depp had been accused of property damage and verbal threats, he had never been accused of the kind of violence that is claimed by Heard. However, Heard has some minor accusations of violence to account for, focusing on a 2009 incident where Heard had a verbal fight with Depp’s then-girlfriend, that turned into violence from the side of Heard. Laurel Anderson, a marriage counsellor who counselled Depp and Heard during their marriage, also testified at the Fairfax trial. She considered their marriage as a dynamic one because of ‘mutual abuse’. Anderson testified that she saw Heard bruised after altercations with Depp, and that Heard told her she had initiated physical fights with Depp on multiple occasions. She said she believed, but was not certain, that Depp had also initiated physical fights with Heard. Both Depp and Heard have said that they experienced physical abuse as children, and Anderson’s theory is that their relationship pushed them back into toxic childhood patterns, with each abusing the other and neither one ultimately more responsible than the other. On 24 May 2022 Heard’s team rested its case, while Depp’s team requested the Circuit Court Judge Penny Azcarate to dismiss Heard’s countersuit, which was held rejected. On 25 and 26 May both Depp and Heard returned to the stand respectively, before closing arguments, expressing their disappointment and grief against one another’s acquisitions. On 27 May the jury heard closing arguments and started deliberating. The Verdict The jury comprised of seven members and two alternates reached a verdict on 1 June 2022. Unanimously the jury favoured Depp and found that Heard had defamed him. The jury awarded $5 million to Depp in punitive damages and $10 million in compensatory damages. Jurors also concluded that part of Heard’s counterclaim had merits. They rejected two of Heard’s three counts but found she was defamed by Depp's lawyer who had used foul language against her, and hence the jury awarded her $2 million. The jurors’ first count was against Heard considering that she made or published the article in The Washington Post against Depp, knowing that it would be defamatory for him. The jurors’ second count against Heard was based on the defamatory statement in The Post: “Then two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out”, which clearly indicated Depp being an abuser without any evidence. As with the other two counts, in the third count against Heard, the jurors found Heard had defamed Depp with “actual malice” as there was clear and convincing evidence that Heard either knew the article she made in The Washington Post in 2018 was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. Heard levied three counts of defamation against Depp, saying she’d been repeatedly defamed by his former attorney Adam Waldman, who called Heard’s abuse allegations a hoax. Jurors considered a statement from Waldman that appeared on The Daily Mail’s website on 8 April 2020, in which Adam Waldman stated that Amber Heard and her friends in the media use fake sexual-violence allegations against Depp to ruin his public image. However, in the first count against Depp, the jurors concluded that Heard’s attorney has not proven all the elements of defamation. Heard scored her only victory over a statement Waldman gave to The Daily Mail in the same 2020 article. He accused Heard and her friends of fabricating abuse allegations. Hence for the second count against Depp, the jurors agreed with Heard’s attorneys that Waldman’s statement was false and defamatory and that he’d acted with actual malice. The final count against Waldman involved a statement from the same article: “We have reached the beginning of the end of Ms. Heard’s abuse hoax against Johnny Depp.” Jurors concluded Heard’s lawyers had not proven the statement to be defamatory.

Priyanka Mangaraj

May 31, 2022

Study tips for cracking CLAT UG/PG exam

What is CLAT UG? Law is now considered a suitable career option by many students. Students wishing to study law are now looking for interesting opportunities in the legal world after their high secondary education is complete. There are many universities and colleges that offer law degrees. Thanks to integrated courses, students now can start studying law without needing a graduation degree as eligibility. This makes legal education more accessible for students. This boom in demand for legal education has led to top-quality law colleges across the country where students can secure admission. This can be done through entrance exams. Many universities have their own entrance exams or admission pattern, however, if one wants to secure a seat in the National Law Universities, they have to appear for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). The Common Law Admission Test or CLAT is a National Level Entrance Exam. It forms the admission criteria for students who wish to pursue their legal education in the 22 National Law Universities situated across India. The CLAT UG exam allows students to pursue an undergraduate degree in these national law universities. This exam The CLAT UG exam was earlier initiated in 2008 to lay down a uniform system of admission for people who wish to pursue legal studies right after their secondary education. There are many integrated degrees available at the national law universities such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, BSc LLB, BSW LLB, etc. This also allows the students to choose their major according to their liking. It also implies that students from varied backgrounds can pursue legal studies through CLAT. The main body that conducts the CLAT examination is the Consortium of NLUs. The Consortium of NLUs is a body that was formed in 2019 that comprises all the vice-chancellors of the various NLUs situated in India. The consortium takes up the responsibility for the dates, methods, and other important aspects of the examination. So far, the CLAT examination has seen several changes when it comes to the paper pattern and the eligibility, however, as of today the necessary criteria and paper pattern of the CLAT UG examination is given below: Eligibility There will be no upper age limit for UG Programme in CLAT 2022. As regards the minimum percentage of marks in the qualifying examination (i.e., 10+2 or an equivalent examination), the candidates must have secured: Forty-five percent (45%) marks or its equivalent grade in case of candidates belonging to General / OBC / PWD / NRI / PIO / OCI categories Forty Percent (40%) marks or equivalent in case of candidates belonging to SC/ST categories. Candidates who are appearing in the qualifying examination in March/April 2022 are also eligible to appear in CLAT 2022 examination. However, they shall be required to produce evidence of their passing the qualifying examination at the time of admission, failing which they shall lose their right to be considered for admission. The result of the qualifying examination (i.e., 10+2) shall be submitted by the candidate at the time of admission failing which the candidate shall be ineligible for admission to the Course. In case of equal marks, the break of tie shall be by the following procedure and order: Higher marks in the component/section on legal aptitude in the CLAT 2022 exam; Higher age; Computerised draw of lots Please refer to the Eligibility Criteria for CLAT Examination Style The CLAT UG examination has a standard syllabus and pattern that has not seen much change since the examination was earlier started. The examination paper is curated to test the aptitude, reasoning skills and other basic knowledge that is required to pursue legal studies. The paper style is in a Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) format consisting of 150 questions carrying the weightage of 1 mark each. There is also a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. The exam will be taken within the span of 2 hours. As per the examination style, the paper will be divided into 5 main subjects namely, – English Language Current Affairs, including General Knowledge Legal Reasoning Logical Reasoning Quantitative Techniques With clarity regarding the examination and the examination style, let us now discuss the method of preparing for the CLAT examination. Study tips to crack the CLAT UG Exam As the CLAT exam is highly competitive, there can be instances where candidates find it difficult to cope up with the syllabus. A pattern is also observed that the number of applicants appearing for CLAT is increasing. With limited seats, it is necessary for the candidates to prepare smartly to secure a seat in the prestigious law colleges located in India. Joining a Coaching Institute A coaching institute that specialises in teaching the CLAT syllabus is a meaningful start. There are many institutes that have an expert faculty that is familiar with the paper pattern and the syllabus. This will be a suitable and competitive environment as well as much-needed exposure for a student who wishes to appear for the CLAT exam. Staying Updated with Current Affairs and General Knowledge This is a tricky section in the CLAT examination as it does not limit the scope of general knowledge and current affairs. There is a vast ocean of information that may or may not appear in the exam. This is why the candidate needs to be familiar with the most recent facts and current topics that took place in the last year leading up to the examination. This is necessary as current affairs and general knowledge hold 25% of the weightage in the examination. Practising Reading English Comprehension The English section has a 20% weightage in the examination. Strong command over grammar and the English language can be fruitful. This can be done by improving your comprehension skills through practice. One can practise by reading the newspaper and magazines that discuss current affairs, this can help build your vocabulary and also update you on current affairs. Practising Mock Tests Mock tests are extremely important for a candidate appearing for CLAT. No amount of preparation will be useful if the candidate finds it difficult to appear for the examination. A mock test helps the candidate strategise and helps in time management. This makes the candidate prioritise certain sections that will help score more marks. Refer to Preparatory Material by CLAT Consortium The Consortium of NLUs also publishes important practice material for the examination. It includes guides to the question paper and sample questions; model question papers; and instructional materials and exercises for each of the subjects that the UG-CLAT 2022 comprises. Preparing for CLAT PG The CLAT PG examination is for those candidates who have completed their UG in legal studies and wish to pursue higher education in their legal studies. This exam can be only appeared by students who have finished a 5-year integrated or 3-year LLB degree from any recognised law college. The CLAT PG exam is not only useful for securing admissions in the 22 recognised NLUs, but also for securing jobs in public sectors that recognise CLAT PG marks. The paper is divided into these relevant sections: Constitutional Law Jurisprudence Contract Law Family Law Criminal Law Environmental Law International Law Companies Act Candidates should have a clear and basic understanding of these subjects. The examination pattern includes 120 objective-type questions that carry 1 mark each. It also has negative markings. The following table may bring some clarity to the question pattern. Topic No. of Questions asked in 2020 No. of Questions asked in 2021 Constitutional Law 50 36 Jurisprudence 20 6 Administrative Law 10 0 Family Law 10 12 Law of Contracts 0 18 International Law 10 18 Criminal Law 10 24 Labour Law 10 0 Environmental Law 0 18 Understanding the Syllabus The candidate should dissect and understand the various subjects that are included in the CLAT PG syllabus according to weightage. This allows the candidate to make a decision on which subject to prioritise on the basis of weightage. As of now, Constitutional law has the maximum weightage. Referring Past Papers The CLAT PG exam was recently introduced, prior to this the examination conducted was CLAT LLM. The candidates should however be thorough with the questions asked in the previous exams to gain more clarity on the kind of questions that can be expected from the examination. Current Affairs The candidate should be aware of all the legal developments. It is necessary to be aware of judgements and court cases that involve the question of constitutional law. This is necessary knowledge as questions related to such cases can appear in the examination. Mock Tests Mock tests are extremely important as they help strategise. The candidate learns time management and can prioritise different sections according to weightage. This gives a realistic approach to preparing for the examination. Be Clear with the Basics The candidate should be well versed in the basics of the law. There are many important topics that are included in the paper pattern. Being aware of the basics of each subject will be fruitful when it comes to answering questions related to such topics. Books for CLAT UG: For English: Objective General English 2022 by RS Aggarwal, Objective General English by N. Khurmi and George For Legal Reasoning: Legal Aptitude and Legal Reasoning by AP Bhardwaj For Logical Reasoning: Logical Reasoning by Jain Prateek General knowledge and Current Affairs: Legal General Knowledge by RK Gupta, Manorama Year Book, Current Affairs Yearly by Arihant Publications Books for CLAT PG The CLAT syllabus is vast and covers varied subjects. For this, we have narrowed it down to a few books that cover multiple subjects specially prepared for CLAT PG preparation: Singhal's S. S. Hand Books for LLM Entrance Exam Ashok Jain Guide for LLM Entrance Exam Constitutional Law: Dr. Ashok Jain Constitution of India Part I & II, JN Pandey Constitutional Law Jurisprudence: Dr. Ashok K Jain, Jurisprudence Contract Law: RK Bangja, Contract Law Tort Law: RK Bangia, Law of Torts Administrative Law: P Massey Family Law and Property: Poonam Pradhan For IPC: Ratanlal and Dhirajlals Indian Penal Code Environmental Law: P Leelakrishnan, Environmental Law International Law: Dr Ashok K Jain, Public International Law Companies Act: Dr Ashok Jain, Company Law The CLAT UG and PG examinations are set to take place on 19th June 2022. It will be taken offline mode. We hope you keep those tips in mind and wish all candidates the hearty best of luck! Even if you couldn’t crack the exam, don’t take stress as there are many more options to consider. Please refer to What if you don’t qualify for CLAT? CLAT PG Papers: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qx2W-G5ozt_RlmDNfJtEXPPCWEa_MZ0b?usp=sharing CLAT UG Papers: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tMutyQog32QpOui24z2eT1S_eQNCMikQ?usp=sharing

Gaurav

May 30, 2022

Donoghue v. Stevenson - Case Brief

Citation - [1932] A.C. 562, [1932] UKHL 100, 1932 S.C. (H.L.) 31, 1932 S.L.T. 317, [1932] W.N. 139 Donoghue v. Stevenson, a Scottish dispute, is a famous case in English law that was instrumental in shaping the law of tort and introduced the doctrine of negligence. It is a landmark case in tort law. The wider importance of the case is that it established the general principle of the duty of care concept in law. The test was formulated by Lord Atkin and it is generally referred to as the “neighbour test” or “neighbour principle”. Donoghue v. Stevenson, also known as the "Paisley snail case," is a landmark legal case that was heard in the House of Lords in 1932 and is considered a key case in the development of the law of negligence in the United Kingdom. Facts On August 26, 1928, Mrs. Donoghue’s (Plaintiff) friend bought her a ginger beer. She consumed about half of the bottle, which was made of dark opaque glass when the remainder of the contents was poured into a tumbler. At this point, the decomposed remains of a snail floated out causing her alleged shock and severe gastroenteritis. Mrs. Donoghue was not able to claim through breach of warranty of a contract as she was not a party to any contract. Therefore, she issued proceedings against Stevenson, the manufacturer (Defendant) which snaked its way up to the House of Lords. Issue Does a manufacturer of ginger beer bottles owe a duty of care to the end consumer while he didn’t directly sell it to him, but only via a distributor? Judgement Donoghue argued that Stevenson owed a duty of care to his customers who were to consume his ginger beer, to have an effective system to clean his bottle and keep it away from snails. Stevenson denied having snails in any of his bottles, arguing that Donoghue’s health problems had been caused by her own bad health conditions. He stated that the facts were not proved, he did not cause Donoghue any harm, and that the damages claimed were excessive. The matter was first heard in the Outer House of the Court of Sessions before Lord Moncrieff. Here, the owner of the café was added as a defendant but later dropped him because of his lack of contractual relationship with Donoghue, as the ginger beer was purchased by her friend and the fact that the owner of the cafe could not have possibly examined the content of the bottle. Lord Moncrieff, dismissed the argument and case law that required that there must be a contractual relationship between the parties before liability can be incurred for negligence in preparing goods for consumption. He described the principle as narrow. Stevenson appealed to the Inner House of the Court of Sessions which was presided over by four judges who had heard the case of Mullen v AG Barr & Co Ltd where it was held that no duty of care could arise in the absence of a contractual relationship. Thus, the appeal was allowed by the majority of the judges while Lord Hunter dissented again. Donoghue appealed to the House of Lords. The judges who heard her appeal were Lord Atkin, Lord Thankerton, Lord Tomlin, Lord Buckmaster, and Lord MacMillan. Donoghue’s Counsel argued that Stevenson owed a duty of care that was independent of contract because the bottles in which the ginger beers come in could not be examined and also because it was meant for human consumption. Stevenson’s Counsel argued that it was an established law in England and Scotland that no duty was owed by manufacturers to anybody with whom they had no direct contract. They argued that the exceptions which were created in English and Scottish laws were not present in this case; that is, that the ginger beer was not intrinsically dangerous and that the defendant, Stevenson, was not aware that the product was dangerous. The House of Lords held in favour of Donoghue, albeit, not unanimously. According to Lord Atkin, the case was an important one because of the bearing the decision on it would have on public health. To him, the moral rule that requires one to love their neighbour, or in-law, manifests as the rule that one has to take care not to injure his neighbour. He says that care must be taken, and such care must be reasonable, in order not to put one’s neighbour in danger or cause one’s neighbour an injury that is foreseeable. He defined a neighbour as one who will be directly affected by one’s action or omission so much so that one has to put such a person in his contemplation while he does such action or makes such omission. Impact: The case of Donoghue v. Stevenson has had a significant impact on the law of negligence in the UK and other common law jurisdictions. The case established the duty of care that manufacturers owe to consumers and set a standard for the level of care that a manufacturer must take to ensure the safety of his products. The case also confirmed the principle that a manufacturer could be held liable for harm caused by a defect in his product, even if the defect was not known to him at the time of manufacture. In conclusion, Donoghue v. Stevenson is a landmark case in the development of the law of negligence in the UK, and its impact has been felt in the UK and other common law jurisdictions. The case has established the principle that a manufacturer must take reasonable care to ensure that his products are safe for consumers to use, and has set a standard for the level of care that a manufacturer must take to fulfill that duty.

Gaurav

May 26, 2022

How to file a RTI?

The Right to Information Act, simply known as RTI, is a revolutionary act that aims to promote transparency in government institutions in India. The Act came into existence in 2005, after sustained efforts of anti-corruption activists. RTI Act was made by the legislation of Parliament of India on 15 June 2005. Until the RTI Act empowered the common man to demand information from the government, only the members of Parliament had the privilege of seeking this information. The Act came into effect on 12 October 2005 and has been implemented ever since to provide information to crores of Indian citizens. All the constitutional authorities come under this Act, making it one of the most powerful laws in the country. It is termed revolutionary because it opens government organisations up for scrutiny. Equipped with knowledge about RTI, a common man can demand any government agency to furnish information. Steps to file an RTI (offline mode) STEP 1 - Identify the department in which you want to file an RTI plea. The department shall come under a local authority, State, or Central government. STEP 2 - Write/type an application in the official language of the State or in English/Hindi, and address it to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned department. For example, if the RTI is related to tax then address it to the PIO of the Income Tax department, or if it is related to defense then address it to the PIO of the Ministry of Defense. STEP 3 - Ask clear and specific questions in the RTI application, related to the concerned department. While addressing it to the concerned department, mention “seeking information under the RTI Act -2005” in the subject line. Mention your address and contact details correctly. STEP 4 - To file the application, pay the fees of Rs 10 in cash or through a bank draft/money order. One can also seek a particular document or its excerpt which will be charged at a nominal fee of Rs 2 per page. STEP 5 - The RTI application can be sent by mail or handed over personally. The applicant also needs to keep a photocopy of the RTI application and an acknowledgment from the office upon receiving the application. Note: If a person is illiterate then he/she can approach the PIO, tell their requirements to file an RTI, and the PIO is obligated to write an application on their behalf as well as read it to them before processing it, under the RTI Act 2005. If the applicant is below the poverty line then the applicant need not pay any fee to file an RTI applicant, however, proof shall be provided by the applicant of his financial status as per RTI Rules 2012. The application can also be sent to the assistant PIO via the post office. The postal department has appointed many assistant PIOs whose job is to receive RTI applications and forward them to PIO or appellate authority concerned. Steps to file an RTI (online mode) STEP 1 - Visit the official website of the RTI portal. STEP 2 - In order to submit an application, click on the “Submit Request” option. STEP 3 - On clicking the submit request, “Guidelines for use of RTI online portal” will display on the screen. Read the guidelines carefully and click on the submit checkbox response to proceed further. STEP 4 - Then the applicant will be directed to the Online RTI Request Form on the screen. Select the department for which the applicant wants to file the RTI application. All the mandatory sections need to be filled and the applicant will get SMS alerts on the mobile number provided. If the applicant is below the poverty line then a BPL card certificate has to be filed in the form to get an exemption from paying the application fee (Rs 10/- per application). STEP 5 - Upon submission of the application form, a unique registration number will be issued for any future reference regarding that particular RTI application. STEP 6 - After filling all the details in the application form, the applicant shall proceed toward the payment option. Payment can be done through net banking or credit/debit card. STEP 7 - Finally, after the payment is done the applicant will receive an email and SMS alert on the provided email address and phone number respectively. How many days does it take to get RTI response? The RTI information should be provided within 30 days from the date of submission of the application to the PIO. However, if the documents are displaced or difficult to find then the PIO shall send the applicant a written intimation about the possible delay and reason. If the PIO fails to do so and the information is not received within 30 days by the applicant then a penalty can be levied on the PIO if the matter is taken up by the appellate authorities. Which Government Departments are exempted from the RTI Act, 2005? Twenty-odd organisations are exempted from RTI, which are related to the country’s defence and intelligence such as RAW, BSF, CRPF, CISF National Security Guard, Intelligence Bureau, etc. Further, there are some specific circumstances when an RTI cannot be filed, such as: Would affect national security, sovereignty, and economic or scientific interest Have been disallowed by the court Related to trade secrets of a competitive third party which might harm country’s international relations Information under fiduciary relationship Foreign government information Information related to any process of investigation Information that might affect the life/physical safety of a person

Priyanka Mangaraj

May 25, 2022

Routledge/Roundtable Commonwealth Studentship 2022-23

Applications are invited for Routledge/Roundtable Commonwealth Studentships 2022-23 for research projects on Commonwealth related themes. About the Studentships The Routledge/Roundtable Commonwealth Studentships is a PhD studentships that provide support for research projects on Commonwealth related themes. Two studentships are available each year, one for UK-registered students and one for Commonwealth students in other countries. The studentships are funded by The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs and the journal’s publisher, Routledge, in association with the ACU. What is a Studentship? A studentship is a grant or payment made to support a student’s education, awarded on the basis of academic or other achievements. How Does it Work? The studentships have a maximum value of GBP 5,500 (5,63,926.55 INR) each. Due to the pandemic, the studentship will not fund travel. The research must be conducted in the applicants’ country of residence. Proposed research must fulfil at least one of the below criteria: Relate to the Commonwealth as a whole or to any Commonwealth-wide institution or organisation Have a strong Commonwealth comparative aspect Be of relevance to a Commonwealth country other than the UK. For example, a research project comparing LGBT rights in South Africa and Uganda would be eligible, as would a project on the reform of colonial-era anti-LGBT legislation in India, but a project on the role of Stonewall in advocating for LGBT rights in the UK would not. Post-studentship Requirements Successful applicants will be required to submit, no more than twelve months after the take-up of the award, an article of between 4000 and 6000 words based on their research, for consideration for publication in the Round Table journal. Successful applicants will also be required to make a podcast on their research, for publication on the journal’s website. Eligibility for the Roundtable Commonwealth Studentship Applications are welcomed from a broad range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, but preference may be given to disciplines usually covered by the Round Table journal, including (but not exclusively) politics, international relations, economics, international history, geography, law, development studies, and area studies. The 1st studentship is open to registered PhD students from UK universities, although not necessarily UK citizens. The 2nd studentship is open to registered PhD students from ACU member universities in Commonwealth counties other than the UK, and to Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarship alumni who are PhD students at any Commonwealth university outside the UK. Click here for the list of ACU member universities. Mentorship The applicants are required to identify and work with a mentor at an ACU member university in a country other than their own, as part of the studentship. The mentor should be an expert in a subject linked to the applicant’s subject of research, who will be able to provide support and advice during the studentship. Before applying, applicants are encouraged to informally approach at least one potential mentor and, if their application is successful, will then be required to obtain a letter of support from their mentor to agree to the mentorship before their studentship is confirmed. Role of The Mentor The mentor will be expected to hold a minimum of 2 virtual meetings with the student during the period of the studentship. They will be expected to be in contact with the student by email to share their experiences in their relevant field, provide advice around publishing, events and trends in their field, and to challenge and empower the student to consider new ways of thinking. The mentor will also be expected to contribute to either the podcast or the article submitted by the student (see post-studentship requirements section below for more information) and will be paid an honorarium of GBP 500 (51,270.76 INR), payable at the end of the studentship. Mentors must read and abide by the mentor code of conduct guidelines. Mentor Code of Conduct Guidelines The relationship between mentor and mentee should not be exploitative in any way, nor open to misinterpretation Mentors are responsible for setting and keeping appropriate boundaries that govern interactions with mentees Mentors should maintain a clear mentoring relationship with mentees and not allow personal bias to influence their actions Mentors should maintain confidentiality, objectivity and equal partnership The mentor’s role is to respond to the mentee’s needs and agenda rather than imposing their own agenda Mentors will share the responsibility for creating a smooth end to the relationship with the mentee, once it has achieved its purpose Any personal data relating to the mentee held by the mentor should be deleted as soon as it is no longer needed. Important Dates Deadline for applications: 23:59 UTC on Sunday [July 31, 2022] (5:29 AM IST, Monday): August 1, 2022 Announcement of winners: September 2022 Take-up of awards: November 1st, 2022 to July 2023 How to Apply? Applications should be submitted by 23:59 UTC on Sunday July 31, via the online application form. As part of the application, applicants should submit: A CV A studentship plan, outlining: The work you plan to carry out during the studentship, in non-technical language The likely impact of your studentship work, and how it will advance knowledge in your field and contribute to greater understanding of the Commonwealth The planned outcomes and outputs of the studentship Letters of support from referees, one academic (preferably your PhD/DPhil supervisor) and one personal An outline of the intended use of the funds. For the official website of Roundtable Commonwealth Studentships 2022-23, click here.

Gaurav

May 24, 2022

Building a Career in Corporate Law and Making it a Success - An Interview with Harsh Khemka

Working as a corporate lawyer can be a very rewarding and lucrative career path. Despite the continued challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, last year has seen significant activity in the corporate sector, specifically in private M&A deals. With the easing of listing norms and a record number of entities choosing to go public in 2021, the year witnessed the listing of major Indian start-ups, with Zomato leading the trend, followed by the likes of Nykaa, PayTM, and Policybazaar. Today, corporate lawyers are in great demand and are employed in several organisations including law firms and companies. We interviewed Harsh Khemka, Principal Associate at Khaitan & Co., Mumbai, who took us through his rollercoaster journey from first becoming interested in corporate law to committing his career to Insurance M&A. After doing multiple internships during his law school, Harsh started his career with Luthra and Luthra law offices, Mumbai, and within 6 years of his professional career, has become a Principal Associate at Khaitan & Co., one of India’s top law firms. Please tell us a bit about yourself. What inspired you to pursue law? How would you describe your law school experience? I grew up in Bangalore and come from a business-oriented family. That said, my late paternal grandfather practised commercial tax and wished for someone in the family to become a lawyer. This is one of my first recollections of wanting to become a lawyer. From there, popular culture took over and by the time I reached class 10 in school, movies and TV shows had convinced me that I was best suited to be a lawyer. At the time, I don’t remember wanting to pursue law to achieve some higher purpose - it was just something I felt I would enjoy doing and might be good at. I went to NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad. They were some of the best years of my life. As is usually the case, it was the first time I experienced living away from home. I realised early on that I enjoy the independence it brings. Apart from gaining a degree and a job, I learned some of my most important life lessons in law school. I gained a lot of perspective by interacting with not just my professors but also my friends and peers, who came from all across India and overseas. I can say that law school opened my eyes to the world and prepared me for everything that lay ahead. How did you begin your career post-undergrad law studies? I had received a pre-placement offer from the Mumbai office of what was back then Luthra & Luthra Law Offices. After multiple internships, I had decided by my third year of law school that I wanted to pursue corporate law. So, I was very happy with the job offer and while I knew I was going to miss Bangalore, I felt working in Mumbai would be a good experience for me. My team in Luthra worked on all kinds of matters – corporate, M&A, debt as well as funds. This helped me get a good grounding in various practice areas. After two years in Luthra, I moved to the Mumbai office of Khaitan & Co to focus on M&A and private equity practice as I wanted my career to grow in that space. How did you come to specialise in ‘Insurance M&A’? I was staffed on a private equity transaction on my very first day in Khaitan and while I didn’t have prior experience in this field, I took the challenge head-on. As a newcomer and outsider to a large but very well-knit team, I was keen on impressing my team members. With the help of some really helpful seniors, I was able to catch up to the very steep learning curve. In my quest to expand my learning and out of my sheer interest, I volunteered for varied kinds of transactions - one such transaction was a large M&A deal involving two insurance companies. The insurance sector in India is heavily regulated and this transaction was very challenging for me – not only did I have to acquaint myself with the multitude of laws applicable to the insurance sector, but we also had very challenging timelines. This often meant sleepless nights and working weekends. At the end of the transaction, the partner on the deal asked me if I would like to focus more on insurance matters. I had just finished the third year of my professional career and initially felt it was a little early to commit to any one practice area. After some deliberation, I decided to give it a try, as the sector genuinely interested me. The insurance regime in India had just been liberalised a short while before that and there was growing interest in the area. However, at the time, there were very few people at Khaitan and across firms who were specialising in insurance M&A. I ended up being at the right place at the right time and with the support of my partner, a lot of opportunities presented themselves. Over the course of a couple of years, I gained a lot of exposure in the sector through deals, advisories, meeting industry folk, and diligently updating myself about the industry and sector. Currently, you’re working as a Principal Associate at Khaitan & Co.; what does an average day at one of India’s biggest law firms look like? That’s the most frustrating as well as the most exciting thing about a law firm - every day is different. While this means that planning ahead becomes a challenge at times, it also means that there is never a dull moment. Borrowing from Newton’s theory of relativity – 12 hours spent drafting a document peacefully (I always listen to some music while doing this) by yourself can seem very different from 12 hours spent on multiple matters jumping from call to call, deliverable to deliverable, and trying to douse the largest fire first. No day is complete without interaction with teammates – both virtual and while in the office. From exchanging weekend plans, failed diet routines, and movie suggestions to also helping brainstorm transaction structures, vexed legal questions, and complaining (don’t know if I am allowed to use the B-word) about clients – your teammates are with you through thick and thin. My team at Khaitan especially engages in a lot of pranks and banter, especially on the office floor. This helps bring a light touch to what can often be a serious and stressful job. How is the work culture in Mumbai different from that in other cities in India? What should one know about working in the corporate law sector in Mumbai? My only internship in Mumbai was enough to convince me that I would like to work in the city. There is something about the city that just makes everyone hustle – maybe it’s the high rents, long travel times, or the large crowds. It seems like everyone is always in a mad rush and running against time. This vibe prevails in the law firms here as well. While the other two corporate hubs, Delhi and Bangalore, have equally talented and professional lawyers, I have felt the culture in Mumbai is to push yourself just a little harder. This may also be driven by the local clients, who may be more demanding than their counterparts in other cities. But the city has a charm about it which makes you fall in love with it. The song “Bombay meri jaan . . . ” beautifully epitomises this feeling. That said, Mumbai definitely isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – but I would recommend that young corporate lawyers experience the taste for themselves before deciding. In 2021, India witnessed an all-time high in the number of mergers and acquisitions. What are your views on these developments in the country? It was a great time to be a corporate lawyer in 2021. After the slowdown caused by the pandemic, the market rebounded very strongly. Teams were busy throughout the year with people having to refuse work because of bandwidth constraints. All our overseas clients were interested in the Indian market. Indian start-ups and founders had never earlier had access to this kind of capital. Valuations went soaring and we saw some of the most successful IPOs the country has ever seen. While the market has corrected itself a little in 2022 and we have seen IPOs being delayed, Indian companies and entrepreneurs have made their mark. This will definitely inspire greater innovation and lead to more start-ups coming up in the future. Government policies and regulations on industry and ease of doing business will have to keep up. What are things that one ought to know about a career in corporate law? (For example: are the hours long and workload high? Is there too much competition?) Law is a jealous mistress – I have come to realise this right from my law school days. It requires us to constantly read and keep updating ourselves -- most of the statutes we study in law school are significantly modified or replaced by the time we start working (long live the Contract Act 1872). Further, corporate lawyers are professionals and part of the services industry and hence there will always be client pressure. Yes, it entails long hours and constant pressure but is equally rewarding in terms of career growth. Some of this pressure comes from the competition – if we don’t deliver the work product within the requested (read demanded) timeline, then the client will go to someone else next time. So yes, everyone is out there to impress and woo the biggest clients and work on the largest deals. But there is also a satisfaction that one gets to see the transaction they worked on getting reported in the news. But the pie is ever-growing and new entrants in the industry will be able to get a piece of the action and establish themselves. The increase in funding and M&A activities in India will definitely lead to more job creation and opportunities. So the future of corporate law professionals should be bright! How would you suggest one go about a career in Corporate Law? What avenues are open to corporate law aspirants in India? Law school these days has started offering a lot of electives and courses on various corporate law subjects. Also, students, these days have access to a lot of online courses, study material, and websites that can help them prepare for a career in corporate law. Taking up some of these courses may help impress during internships and land one a job. But there is nothing that you learn in law school that you can't learn on the job. As long as the fundamentals are strong (basic contract and companies act), any student should be able to manage to crack an interview. Other aspects law students can work on are developing their communication skills and the habit of reading. I have always maintained that corporate law is no rocket science – hard work, sincerity, diligence and regularly updating oneself will see you climb the corporate ladder. Even if one doesn’t land their dream job out of college, there is always a chance in the future to move firms – it's fairly common and there will be a lot of opportunities. In fact, corporate lawyers are increasingly receiving opportunities for in-house roles – this will only increase as we see more companies come up and the corporate compliance culture increase. VC and PE funds are also known to hire a lot of lawyers and some of these roles often also involve some business elements. All in all, experience in a corporate law firm is very helpful for anyone looking to work on the corporate side.

Gaurav

May 19, 2022

ICAI Doctoral Scholarship 2022 by Research Committee, ICAI [Institute of Chartered Accountants of India]

The Research Committee of ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) is inviting applications for the Doctoral Scholarship Scheme 2022. About the Organization The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament, viz. The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 (Act No. XXXVIII of 1949) for regulating the profession of Chartered Accountancy in the country. The Institute, functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. The ICAI is the second largest professional body of Chartered Accountants in the world, with a strong tradition of service to the Indian economy in the public interest. ICAI – Doctoral Scholarship Scheme 2022 The doctoral scholarship will be awarded to a registered Ph.D. Scholars from UGC recognized reputed Indian Universities/ Deemed Universities/ Colleges, IIMs having University/IIMs approved Ph.D. Program to pursue and complete their Doctoral Research in Auditing, Taxation, Commerce, Management, and Accounting. Awarding doctoral scholarship by admitting full-time meritorious Research scholars who want to carry out research in core areas having global relevance, adding value to subject, and research results should aim to develop some theory and/or model which can be replicated universally. To nurture talents in the CA fraternity for technical research. This post is for the ICAI Doctoral Scholarship Scheme of 2022. Suggested Topics for the ICAI Scholarship Human Resource Accounting. Simplification of Human Resource Laws Government Sector Accounting Integrated Reporting International Taxation Laws Water Audit Eligibility Membership of ICAI At least 75% in 10th and 12th Standard Age should be less than 40 years on the date of application Candidate shall be Full-Time Student at the University/College/ Institution while pursuing a Ph.D. for their attendance and Classes Candidates shall not avail of any other scholarship for the same Other Criteria Only the applicants who have applied for a Ph.D. after the introduction of the ICAI Doctoral Scholarship Scheme 2020 (May 7, 2020) are encouraged to apply for the scheme. The application shall be forwarded by the supervisor of the candidate for Ph.D. or any other competent signing authority of the University/College/Institution. Candidates are advised to apply only if they are pursuing a Ph.D. in the relevant and contemporary topic considering the current economic scenario matching with ICAI mandate, intent to add value to the society, scalable, and have global relevance. How to Apply? Following documents must be sent to: Research Committee The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ICAI Bhawan 8th Floor, Administrative Building, A-29, Sector 62, NOIDA-201309, UP. Application Form: Click here for the application form of ICAI Doctoral Scholarship 2022. Research proposal & abstract (3000 and 300 words respectively) Relevant Enclosures: (Details are given in Application Form) Click on the link to download the document for the relevant enclosures. All the documents should be received before July 31, 2022 duly signed and stamped by the Supervisor of the then-candidate for Ph.D. or any other competent signing authority of the University/College/Institution. Scholarship Rs. 50,000 per month Scholarship to be awarded to 5 scholars annually for the maximum period of 36 months. Contingency grant will be admissible at the rate of Rs. 50,000 per annum. For more information, click here.

Gaurav

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 (current)
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

×

Home
About
Jobs
Events
Courses
Exams
Blog
Recruiter
Pricing

Applicant

Login
Register
Forgot Password

* By proceeding you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

*

*

*

*

Password should contain one upper case,one lower case,one number and one special character with 8-30 characters.

* By proceeding you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Advertiser

Login
Register
Forgot your password

* By proceeding you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

*

*

*

*

Password should contain one upper case,one lower case,one number and one special character with 8-30 characters.

* By proceeding you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

about
privacy
terms of use
careers
contact us
sitemap

© 2021 Botmatrix Services Private Limited. All Rights Reserved.