National Policy Discussion Competition 2026 | DSNLU Visakhapatnam
VIVIDH 5.0 – National Policy Discussion Competition 2026
Organised by Drishtikon, DSNLU Visakhapatnam
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam, through its student-led forum Drishtikon, is hosting VIVIDH 5.0, the fifth edition of its National Policy Discussion Competition, to be held on 7 and 8 February 2026. The event provides a national platform for law students to engage with draft legislation, suggest reforms, and participate in structured public policy debates.
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About DSNLU
Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University was established in 2008 under an Act of the Andhra Pradesh State Legislature. The University is named after Damodaram Sanjivayya, the second Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, a distinguished lawyer and social reformer known for his commitment to justice and inclusive development. DSNLU is dedicated to high-quality legal education and research.
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About Drishtikon
Drishtikon is a student-run academic body at DSNLU that organises regular discussions on socio-legal, political, and historical issues. It encourages open dialogue, critical thinking, and respectful debate. In addition to weekly sessions, Drishtikon conducts panel discussions and national competitions aimed at developing analytical, interpretative, and advocacy skills.
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About VIVIDH
VIVIDH is Drishtikon’s annual Policy Discussion Competition, designed to promote diversity of thought and informed legal debate. Participants are given a draft law prepared by Drishtikon and are required to analyse its provisions, propose amendments, and defend their suggestions through persuasive discussion. Performance is evaluated based on statutory interpretation, the practicality of amendments, and the ability to convince other participants.
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Structure of the Competition
The competition will be conducted in two stages:
Preliminary Rounds
Four independent preliminary rounds will be held, from which a fixed number of participants will qualify for the finals.
Final Round
Qualified participants will compete in the final round to determine the winners.
Each participant in the preliminary stage will be assigned one of the following draft legislations:
Geo-Heritage Bill
Right to Disconnect Bill
Press and Registration Bill
Citizen’s Charter Bill
The discussions will be conducted in a moderator-led format with the presence of judges, a timekeeper, a fact-checker, and a scribe to ensure accuracy, fairness, and transparency.
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Important Dates
18 December 2025 – Registration Opens
15 January 2026 – Last Date for Registration
16 January 2026 – Allotment of Draft Bills
18 January 2026 – Online Orientation Session
01 February 2026 – Submission of Prelims Amendments
01 February 2026 – Release of Final Bill
05 February 2026 – Circulation of Prelims Amendments
07 February 2026 – Inaugural Session (12:30 PM)
07 February 2026 – Preliminary Rounds
07 February 2026 – Announcement of Finalists (by 6 PM)
08 February 2026 – Final Round Amendment Submission (by 7 AM)
08 February 2026 – Final Round
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Registration
Participants must register by 15 January 2026 (12:00 AM) through the official Google Form. During registration, each participant must rank the four available draft bills in order of preference. Allotment of bills will be on a first-come-first-served basis, subject to availability.
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Registration Fee
₹500 – Including accommodation
₹300 – For DSNLU students
(The accommodation package includes lodging and meals for the full duration of the competition.)
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Accommodation and Travel
Participants opting for accommodation will be provided lodging within the DSNLU campus. Travel arrangements to and from the University must be made by the participants themselves. The organising team will assist participants during their arrival and stay.
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Awards and Recognition
Winner – Trophy, Certificate, and ₹5,000
Best Speaker – Trophy, Certificate, and ₹3,000
Best Amendment – Trophy, Certificate, and ₹2,000
All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation, and finalists will be awarded a Certificate of Excellence.
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Contact Details
For queries or clarifications, contact:
Shashwat Sinha – +91 88241 47278
Sumana Krovvidi – +91 83412 97642
Email:
drishtikon@dsnlu.ac.in
vividh@dsnlu.ac.in
