CITIL, DNLU Jabalpur And Vidhi Centre For Legal Policy Sign MoU To Set Up Kautilya Society

The details are as follows:

About DNLU Jabalpur

Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur (M.P.) was established in 2018 by the Madhya Pradesh Dharmashastra National Law University Act 24 of 2018, with the objective of advancing the cause of legal education and promoting excellence for imparting value-based legal learning to undergraduate and postgraduate students. The University's motto, “Satyam Vada Dharmam Char” (Speak the truth and follow Dharma), reflects its enduring commitment to justice, ethics, and social responsibility. DNLU strives to prepare competent legal professionals and scholars who can contribute to the evolving landscape of law, policy, and governance.

About the Centre for Studies in International Trade and Investment Laws (CITIL)

The Centre for Studies in International Trade and Investment Laws (CITIL) at DNLU, Jabalpur, is a specialized research Centre dedicated to fostering academic and policy discourse in international trade, investment, and economic law. CITIL has consistently engaged in interdisciplinary research, collaborations, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing understanding of global trade and investment frameworks. The Centre's work extends to issues of law, economics, and public policy, positioning it as a dynamic platform for students and scholars alike.

About Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy

The Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, headquartered in New Delhi, is one of India's leading independent think tanks working at the intersection of law and public policy. Vidhi partners with governments, academic institutions, and civil society to produce high-quality research and actionable policy recommendations across diverse legal and policy domains, including economic reforms, technology law, and social justice. Through initiatives such as the Kautilya Societies, Vidhi encourages university-based student engagement in public policy, research, and legal reform.

Kautilya Societies, Vidhi Centre

Kautilya Societies are student initiatives in universities across the country aimed at widening access to legislative drafting and analysis and empowering young minds to explore public policy as a career path. They have been conceptualized by Vidhi and are run by partner universities. Kautilya Society students actively conduct research to identify gaps in law, policy, governance or regulation in the form of research reports or parliamentary submissions. They contribute to public policy discourse by hosting discussions and events on recent legal policy developments. Students in Kautilya Societies interact closely with public policy professionals to develop a robust network and work experience in the sector, while also helping draft law and policy that contributes to the socio-economic progress of the country. For more information, see: Kautilya Societies Archives - Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy

About the MoU and the Kautilya Society at DNLU

With effect from 30th October 2025, CITIL, DNLU Jabalpur, and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a period of three years. This collaboration seeks to strengthen academic linkages between the two institutions, promote research in economic and public policy laws, and create meaningful opportunities for students to contribute to real-world policy discourse. As part of this initiative, CITIL will establish the Kautilya Society under its aegis, which will serve as a student-led body implementing public policy–based research projects and activities in the field of economic laws, including but not limited to trade and investment laws.

The Kautilya Society will act as a bridge between academic inquiry and policy practice, encouraging DNLU students to participate in research, workshops, internships, and collaborative projects with Vidhi and other policy institutions.

Significance of the Collaboration

This partnership will:

1. Create structured opportunities for student internships and policy research with Vidhi.

2. Facilitate academic events, capacity-building programs, and collaborative publications;

3. Enhance the visibility of DNLU students in the national policy-making space;

4. Contribute to the development of evidence-based legal and economic policy frameworks in India.

5. The call for applications for student positions in the Kautilya Society will be announced soon by CITIL, DNLU.

Contact

Dr. Utkarsh K. Mishra
Director, Centre for Studies in International Trade and Investment Laws (CITIL)
Assistant Professor, Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur

📧 utkarsh@mpdnlu.ac.in | 📞 +91 7905017038