Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur invites submissions for its National Book Review Competition, to be submitted by September 25, 2025.
The competition encourages students, research scholars, academicians, and legal practitioners from the field of law and allied disciplines to engage deeply with significant legal literature. By critically reviewing influential books, participants will not only sharpen their analytical and academic writing skills but also contribute meaningfully to the evolving discourse in legal education, research, and professional practice.
Indian Constitution
Human Rights
Social Justice
Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
Environmental and Climate Law
Law and Technology (including AI, Data Privacy, Cyber Law)
Legal Theory and Jurisprudence
Law of Evidence
Intellectual Property Law
International Trade Law
Legal Biography/Memoir
The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, research scholars, practitioners, and academicians.
All received book reviews will be screened by a selection committee. The top 10 reviews will be shortlisted for an online presentation round. Final selection of winners will be based on the quality of both the paper and the presentation.
Selected review chapters will be published in an edited book with an ISBN number.
Submissions are expected to be original and insightful reviews of a scholarly book relevant to one of the prescribed themes. The review should be well-structured, academic in tone, and reflect critical engagement with the book.
Title of the Book
Mention the full title of the book being reviewed, along with the author’s name.
Brief Overview (250–400 words)
Provide a summary of the book’s key content, argument, and objectives.
Outline the main themes, structure (e.g. chapters/sections), and methodology used by the author.
Avoid detailed narration—focus on clarity and scope of the book.
Critical Evaluation (600–800 words)
Evaluate:
Depth of research and originality Theoretical framework and legal reasoning
Relevance and timeliness of the issues discussed
Strengths and weaknesses
Compare with other major works (if relevant).
Legal Significance (200–300 words)
Explain how the book contributes.
Assess its relevance in law education, research, policy, or society.
Highlight the importance of the book in the selected legal theme (e.g., Human Rights, AI Law, Environmental Law, etc.).
Personal Reflection (200–300 words)
Offer your personal insights and interpretation of the text.
Discuss what you found thought-provoking, controversial, or valuable.
Reflect on how the book influenced your understanding of the subject.
Conclusion (150–200 words)
Provide a clear summary of your evaluation.
State whether you would recommend the book, and to whom (students, practitioners, researchers, etc.).
Include any final remarks or broader implications.
Formatting and Presentation
Word Limit: 1500 to 2000 words (excluding bibliography)
Font: Times New Roman
Font Size: 12 pt
Spacing: 1.5 line spacing
Alignment: Justified
Margins: Standard (1 inch all sides)
Referencing and Citations
Use proper citation for all references, including quotes or paraphrased ideas.
Choose one standard citation style (Bluebook / APA / MLA).
Inconsistent or missing citations will lead to disqualification.
Originality and Plagiarism
Reviews must be original and unpublished.
Submissions will be checked by using plagiarism detection software.
Registration Fee
₹250 - Single authorship
₹400 - Co-authorship
Co-Authorship is permitted for upto two authors
Account Details
Account Name- Dharamashastra National Law University
Account Number- 50100532304180
IFSC Code- HDFC0000224
First Prize: ₹4000
Second Prize: ₹2500
Third Prize: ₹1500
• Winning certificates will be awarded to winners
Participation certificates will be given to all participants.
All the selected review chapters will be published in an edited book with an ISBN number.
Deadline to submit paper: September 25, 2025
For further queries please write to bookreviewcompetition@mpdnlu.ac.in
Programme coordinator: Assistant Librarian, Dr Sheel Bhadra Yadav
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