About the University
Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur (M.P.) was established in the year 2018, by Madhya Pradesh Dharmashastra National Law University Act 24 of 2018, with the object of advancing the cause of legal education and achieving excellence at imparting value-based legal education to undergraduate as well as postgraduate students. The University was unveiled by the noted legal luminaries, leaders and educationists in 2018 with a vision to be the center of excellence in legal education and research by disseminating quality education and training; nurturing vibrant legal culture through judicious practices and ethically responsible pursuits. The University aims to emerge as a unique institution for imparting legal education which is socially relevant and professionally competent. The University seeks to impart and disseminate the knowledge of law and to promote the culture of research for the development and advancement of legal education. It also orients towards imparting specialized and systematic instructions and training to the law students, research scholars and officers performing administrative, quasiadministrative functions. The University aims not only to be knowledge driven institution but also a creativity and wisdom driven Institution, as a result of which, the University has etched its mark across the nation, and even beyond the national boundaries.
About the Competition
Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur is pleased to announce the National Book Review Competition, a unique initiative aimed at fostering a culture of reading, critical inquiry, and scholarly writing. This competition seeks to encourage students, research scholars, academicians, and legal practitioners from the field of law and allied disciplines to engage deeply with significant legal literature. By critically reviewing influential books, participants will not only sharpen their analytical and academic writing skills but also contribute meaningfully to the evolving discourse in legal education, research, and professional practice.
Themes (Core Subject Areas)
- · Indian Constitution
- Human Rights
- Social Justice
- Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
- Environmental and Climate Law
- Law and Technology (including AI, Data Privacy, Cyber Law)
- Legal Theory and Jurisprudence
- Law of Evidence
- Intellectual Property Law International Trade Law
- Legal Biography/Memoir
Participation and Selection Process
• Open to UG/PG students, research scholars, practitioners, academicians
• All received book reviews will be screened by a selection committee
• Top 10 reviews will be shortlisted for an online presentation round
• Final selection of winners will be based on the quality of both the paper and the presentation
All the selected review chapters will be published in an edited book with an ISBN number.
Guidelines for Writing the Book Review
Participants are expected to submit an original and insightful review of a scholarly book relevant to one of the prescribed themes. The review should be well-structured, academic in tone, and reflect critical engagement with the book.
1. Title of the Book
- Mention the full title of the book being reviewed, along with the author’s name.
2. Brief Overview (250–400 words)
- Provide a summary of the book’s key content, argument, and objectives.
- Outline the main themes, structure (chapters/sections), and methodology used by the author.
- Avoid detailed narration—focus on clarity and scope of the book.
3. Critical Evaluation (600–800 words)
Evaluate:
- Depth of research and originality Theoretical framework and legal reasoning
- Relevance and timeliness of the issues discussed
- Strengths and weaknesses
- Compare with other major works (if relevant).
4. Legal Significance (200–300 words)
- Explain how the book contributes.
- Assess its relevance in law education, research, policy, or society.
- Highlight the importance of the book in the selected legal theme (e.g., Human Rights, AI Law, Environmental Law, etc.).
5. Personal Reflection (200–300 words)
- Offer your personal insights and interpretation of the text.
- Discuss what you found thought-provoking, controversial, or valuable.
- Reflect on how the book influenced your understanding of the subject.
6. Conclusion (150–200 words)
- Provide a clear summary of your evaluation.
- State whether you would recommend the book, and to whom (students, practitioners, researchers, etc.).
- Include any final remarks or broader implications.
7. Formatting and Presentation
- Word Limit: 1500 to 2000 words (excluding bibliography)
- Font: Times New Roman
- Font Size: 12 pt
- Spacing: 1.5 line spacing
- Alignment: Justified
- Margins: Standard (1 inch all sides)
8. Referencing and Citations
- Use proper citation for all references, including quotes or paraphrased ideas.
- Choose one standard citation style (Bluebook / APA / MLA).
- Inconsistent or missing citations will lead to disqualification.
9. Originality and Plagiarism
- Reviews must be original and unpublished.
- Submissions will be checked by using plagiarism detection software.
Registration Details
Registration Fee: ₹250/- Single Authorship,
₹400/- Co-Authorship is allowed by the maximum of two author
Account Details:
Account Name- Dharamashastra National Law University
Account Number- 50100532304180
IFSC Code- HDFC0000224
Brochure Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Swc2EGp4x9dauUR5v1Dw-KDKnKZqUki2/view?usp=drive_link
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/couRn78cpa1ncdsi8
Prizes
• First Prize: ₹4000/-
• Second Prize: ₹2500/-
• Third Prize: ₹1500/-
• Winning certificates will be awarded to winners
Participation certificates will be given to all participants.
All the selected review chapters will be published in an edited book with an ISBN number.
Submission Details
• Last Date to Submit Paper: 25th Sept. 2025
Contact Information
Program Coordinator: Dr. Sheel Bhadra Yadav, Assistant Librarian
For any queries, please write to: bookreviewcompetition@mpdnlu.ac.in
