Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur, has recently strengthened its academic standing through a collaboration. After signing a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with institutions, DNLU has now entered into an MoU with National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi (NUSLR), to enhance research-oriented courses, including Master's and Ph.D. programs.
Established in 2018 under the Madhya Pradesh Dharmashastra National Law University Act, 2018, DNLU strives to advance legal education and uphold the rule of law in accordance with the Constitution of India. The University is guided by Justice J.K. Maheshwari, Judge, Supreme Court of India, as its Visitor; Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Chief Justice of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, as its Chancellor; with Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha serving as Vice-Chancellor, and Dr. Praveen Tripathi as Registrar. The University presently offers B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., and Ph.D. programs.
National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi, was established by an Act of the State Legislature, inspired by the vision of India's constitutional framers that the law, legal system, and legal institutions play a role in the nation's human, social, political, and economic development. Prof. (Dr.) Ashok R. Patil currently serves as its Vice-Chancellor.
Prof. (Dr.) Patil holds an academic and professional record. He completed his B.Sc. in Criminology & Forensic Science (1993), LL.B. (1996), LL.M. (Mercantile Law) with First Rank (1998), and Ph.D. in Consumer Law (2006) under UGC Fellowship from Karnataka University. He also qualified UGC-NET (2000), and holds an NCC “C” Certificate (1992), NSS Certificate (1993), and a Diploma in Cyber Law. He is also an Accredited Mediator.
He practiced before the High Court of Karnataka until 1999 and carries over 25 years of teaching experience. From 1999 to 2008, he served as Lecturer and Principal at KLE's Bellad Law College, Belgaum. In 2008, he joined NLSIU, Bengaluru, as an Associate Professor and administered the Chair on Consumer Law & Practice, established by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India. He was promoted as Professor in 2011 and became the Founder Director of the Online Consumer Mediation Centre (OCMC) at NLSIU. Later, in June 2023, he assumed charge as Vice-Chancellor of National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi. He has presented research papers in international conferences across more than 15 countries, conducted training programs for Consumer Commission Members, Government Officers, Consumer Club Teachers, NGOs, students, and mediators. His areas of specialization include Consumer Welfare Laws, Law of Torts, Mediation, and Insurance Law.
The MoU between DNLU and NUSLR was signed by Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha and Prof. (Dr.) Ashok R. Patil on 21st August 2025. It seeks to facilitate student and faculty exchange programs, promote collaborative research initiatives, and enable joint academic events such as seminars, conferences, and moot court competitions.