About the University
The National Moot Court Competition hosted by MANUU Law School is organized by the School of Law, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad—a premier institution known for academic excellence, research orientation, and professional legal training. Established with the vision of promoting high-quality legal studies, MANUU Law School offers comprehensive programs including B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), LL.B, LL.M, Ph.D. in Law, and M.A. Legal Studies. With distinguished faculty members, experienced practitioners, and robust academic infrastructure, the university aims to equip future legal professionals with practical knowledge and strong ethical grounding.
The institution has made significant strides in experiential legal education. A milestone achievement is its state-of-the-art Moot Court Hall, inaugurated by the Hon’ble Attorney General for India, Shri R. Venkataramani. This reinforces the university’s commitment to nurturing courtroom advocacy, litigation readiness, and research excellence. The National Moot Court Competition 2026 is a flagship event of MANUU Law School, designed to cultivate legal reasoning, structured argumentation, oral advocacy, and holistic skill development.
The event builds upon the remarkable success of its inaugural edition in 2025, which saw enthusiastic participation from leading law schools across India. The 2026 edition promises a larger platform, intellectually stimulating challenges, and greater opportunities for interaction with judges, academicians, and members of the legal fraternity. It is an event ideal for participants aspiring to enhance their understanding of the legal profession and gain real-time courtroom experience.
About the Competition
The National Moot Court Competition 2026 is structured to simulate an authentic courtroom environment, allowing participants to engage with complex legal issues through rigorous rounds of argumentation. The competition features both online and offline segments, ensuring accessibility while preserving the intensity of in-person advocacy for advanced rounds.
The preliminary and quarterfinal rounds will be conducted online on 10–11 January 2026, while the semi-finals and final round will be held offline on 24 January 2026 at the MANUU Law School campus in Hyderabad. Participants will argue a legally intricate proposition involving questions of authorship, AI-generated works, jurisdiction, intellectual property conflicts, and commercial infringement—making the event exceptionally relevant in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.
Participants are required to represent both sides of the dispute—Aurelia Dynamics Pvt. Ltd. and Stratos AeroDesign Ltd.—within a single suit. The competition tests legal research, drafting of memorials, articulation, courtroom etiquette, issue framing, and command of procedural and substantive law. The learning outcomes include enhanced advocacy skills, improved analytical reasoning, exposure to national-level competition, and the ability to interpret complex legal matrices under pressure.
Event Timeline
Event Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | 1 December 2025 |
| Registration Deadline | 24 December 2025 |
| Clarification Deadline | 29 December 2025, 11:59 PM |
| Memorial Submission (Soft Copy) | 31 December 2025 |
| Memorial Submission (Hard Copy) | 4 January 2026 |
| Researcher Test | 5 January 2026 |
| Preliminary & Quarter Rounds (Online) | 10–11 January 2026 |
| Semi-Finals & Final Round (Offline) | 24 January 2026 |
Location and Mode
Mode: Hybrid
– Preliminary & Quarter Rounds: Online
– Semi-Finals & Final: Offline
Location / Address:
Maulana Azad National Urdu University,
Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500032
Format and Structure
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | Based on event schedule (January 2026) |
| Rounds | Preliminary → Quarterfinals → Semifinals → Final |
| Memorials | Soft & Hard Copy Submission Required |
| Jury | Judges from the judiciary, academia, and legal fraternity |
| Team Composition | 2–3 members per team |
| Registration Fee | INR 2,500 |
Eligibility & Requirements
Participation in the National Moot Court Competition is open to students currently enrolled in a recognized law program across India. Eligible participants include those pursuing a three-year LL.B., five-year integrated law degree, or LL.M. program from any accredited institution. However, students pursuing Ph.D. or diploma-level legal programs are not eligible for this competition. Each college or university may send only one team, reinforcing a high-quality and competitive selection process.
Each team must consist of two to three members, which may include two speakers and one researcher or two speakers only. Participants must refrain from disclosing the identity of their institution to the judges to maintain fairness and integrity throughout the competition. Names of speakers may only be disclosed orally before the bench during the argument rounds. Teams are expected to adhere strictly to formatting rules, submission deadlines, and procedural guidelines provided in the competition brochure.
Additional Highlights
- Cash prizes and certificates for winners and runners-up
- Certificate of Merit for teams qualifying for advanced rounds
- E-certificates for all participating teams
- Opportunity to argue before distinguished jurists and academicians
- Intellectually challenging moot proposition involving AI, IP, and jurisdictional issues
- Exposure to hybrid-format competitions
- National-level recognition and professional networking
FAQs about National Moot Court Competition
1. Who can apply for this National Moot Court Competition?
Students enrolled in recognized Indian law schools pursuing LL.B. (3-year or 5-year) or LL.M. programs are eligible to apply. Each participating institution may nominate only one team. Students pursuing Ph.D. or diploma courses, however, are not eligible for participation.
2. Is this National Moot Court Competition paid or unpaid?
This event requires a registration fee of INR 2,500 per team. There is no additional fee beyond this registration amount. Participants receive certificates, and eligible teams may compete for cash prizes and awards.
3. What is the last date to apply?
The last date to register for the competition is 24 December 2025. Teams are encouraged to register early to avoid last-minute rush and to ensure timely preparation of memorials.
4. What is the selection process?
Selection is based solely on eligibility criteria and successful registration. Once registered, teams must submit memorials (soft and hard copies), comply with formatting rules, and participate in the scheduled rounds. Performance in the preliminary rounds determines progression to quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final round.
5. Will I receive a certificate after completion?
Yes. All participating teams receive e-certificates. Teams qualifying for online quarterfinals and offline rounds receive Certificates of Merit, and winners receive Certificates of Excellence along with cash prizes.
Important Links
Contact Information
Email: mootcourt@manuu.edu.in
Phone: +91-7289933715
Address: Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500032