RPNLU Prayagraj Concludes Para Legal Volunteers' Basic Training Programme

Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj (RPNLU), in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (UPSLSA) and the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), successfully concluded a three-day Para Legal Volunteers' (PLVs) Basic Training Programme for the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) students of the 2025 batch. Held from October 6th to 8th, 2025, the initiative aimed to impart foundational knowledge of India's legal aid framework and cultivate a cohort of socially conscious legal professionals committed to advancing access to justice.

The inaugural session was graced by Vice Chancellor, Sr. Prof. (Dr.) Usha Tandon, who underscored the transformative potential of legal aid in democratizing justice. She urged students to embrace community engagement as an extension of their academic journey, emphasizing that programmes like PLV training bridge theoretical learning with lived legal realities and foster empathy-driven leadership in law. Through a series of lectures and interactive sessions, students were introduced to critical dimensions of legal aid, including victim compensation schemes, child protection laws, prison reform, mediation practices, and constitutional mandates under Article 39-A. The pedagogical approach emphasized experiential learning, enabling students to engage with real-world legal challenges and institutional frameworks.

A key highlight of the training was the simulation-based dispute resolution exercise, wherein students assumed roles such as complainants, defendants, mediators, and judges. These enactments deepened their understanding of procedural ethics, negotiation techniques, and the human dimensions of justice delivery. The sessions were particularly impactful in sensitizing students to the plight of marginalized communities, with discussions on missing children, prisoner rehabilitation, and welfare schemes for crime victims reinforcing the imperative of empathy in legal practice.

The educational visits to Naini Central Jail, District Jail, and the District Court, Prayagraj, provided students with firsthand exposure to the functioning of correctional institutions and judicial proceedings. These immersive experiences enriched their comprehension of institutional dynamics and underscored the importance of reformative justice. The valedictory session concluded with a thought-provoking reflection on the evolving nature of law, encapsulated in the theme “law changes with perspectives.” Drawing analogies between legal reasoning and cinematic narratives, the session encouraged students to approach legal aid with creativity, patience, and a balanced outlook. The programme featured a distinguished panel of legal experts and public officials, including Sh. Surjan Singh (O.S.D., UPSLSA), Sh. Dinesh Gautam (Secretary, DLSA, Prayagraj), Smt. Ritandhra Mishra (Mediator, DLSA), Sushri Shikha Chaudhery (Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board), Shri. Sarvajit Singh (District Probation Officer, Prayagraj), Smt. Mahima Maurya (Senior Advocate, Allahabad High Court), Smt. Nancy Shukla (Naib Tehsildaar), Sh. Lavlesh Tripathi (Superintendent, Central & District Jail, Naini), Sh. Vikas Gupta (Chief, Legal Aid Defence Counsel), Sh. Gaurav Singh (Deputy Chief, LADC). Dr. Deepak Sharma, Convener of the Legal Aid Society and Head of the Department of Law, delivered the vote of thanks, lauding the programme as a landmark in RPNLU's ongoing commitment to integrating academic excellence with societal responsibility. The successful completion of the PLV training reaffirms RPNLU Prayagraj's dedication to nurturing ethically grounded, socially responsive lawyers who embody the constitutional values of justice, equality, and service.