JusticeBlox 2026 is a national competition aimed at reimagining the future of legal aid in India. It is organized by the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad.
Competition Overview
Organizers: NALSAR Hyderabad and Migration and Asylum Project (MAP).
Target Participants: Undergraduate and post-graduate law students from UGC and BCI-recognized law schools.
Core Objective: To move beyond traditional formats like moot courts and develop actionable, community-centered legal aid solutions that institutional actors can adopt.
Important Dates (2026)
January 27: Deadline for registration (23:00 IST).
February 9: Deadline for submitting the written proposal and video pitch (23:00 IST).
February 15: Announcement of Round 1 results.
February 21–22: Online live pitches for the top 8 teams.
February 26 – March 6: Mentorship period for the top 3 finalist teams.
March 15: Final Rounds held in-person at Nyaay Sabha 2026, New Delhi.
Competition Format
Team Composition: Teams must consist of 2 to 3 members from the same institution.
Round 1: Submission of a 7-page written proposal and a 2-to-3-minute video pitch.
Round 2: Online live pitch and Q&A before a judging panel for the top 8 teams.
Final Rounds: In-person pitch at the "Nyaay Sabha 2026" event in Delhi for the top 3 teams.
Awards and Opportunities
Winning Team: INR 25,000, winners' trophy, and certificates.
Runners-up: INR 15,000 and certificates.
Second Runners-up: INR 10,000 and certificates.
Additional Perks: The winning team receives an internship opportunity with relevant legal aid institutions and the chance to develop a working paper under expert mentorship.
Problem Context
India's legal aid system faces significant hurdles. While nearly 80% of the population is eligible for free legal aid, only about 5% of those eligible have been reached over the last 30 years. Key challenges include a low per-capita spend (approximately ₹1.3), limited public awareness, and a shortage of trained manpowern
