Dreams & Challenges at NLUO: A Candid Conversation with a Law Student

• To begin with could you please briefly introduce yourself and share a bit about your journey so far.

Hi, my name is Aranya Sen, and I am a second-year student at National Law University, Odisha. I am a part of the 2029 batch; I joined this college late in September 2024 through the vacancies. Normally, classes begin in July, so I missed out on most parts of my first semester. I am giving this interview with the experience of the entire second semester and parts of the first semester.

🧑‍🎓 Life at Law School

• How would you describe your daily life at law school ? 

It is not something that can be described in one word or one line, it is a mixture of multiple activities, experiences, and interactions. Class timings are from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, with breaks between each class. Your daily life depends on the way you want to shape it. If a person likes to spend his day studying, reading, and pursuing academic goals, we have a 3-storyed library which facilitates these requirements. If there is someone like me who would rather keep the study hours limited to classes and another additional 2 hours.

🍽️ Food (Mess/Canteen)

• How is the food at your law school in terms of taste, variety, and hygiene?

In terms of taste, the food in our mess can be described as average; it is neither particularly good nor bad. The food provided is hygienic and fresh, and includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. However, the main issue is the lack of variety: the menu remains almost unchanged over four months, which becomes monotonous. Overall, the food is acceptable and is not likely to pose a significant problem.

• Are there good alternatives to mess food nearby (cafes, delivery options)?

The option to order food via food delivery apps is available from morning until around 1:30 a.m.
During the day, there are several on-campus options to satisfy hunger: one canteen, a juice shop, a Nescafé cafeteria, and a fast food joint (with another one currently under construction).
At night, there is an additional canteen that remains open all night, while the fast food joint stays open until 1:00 a.m.

• How do students usually manage food when mess food isn’t good? How is the water availability? 

There are no issues with the water supply: hot water is available year-round, and there is no scarcity of drinking water. The arrangements for food and water at NLUO are good enough and are unlikely to be a major concern for anyone coming to the university.

🏡 Hostel Life

• How strict are the hostel rules regarding timings and permissions?

There is no timings for the hostel if we are staying within campus. For going out of campus permission is not required if we are not staying out overnight. We can leave after 6.00 am and have to be back by 10.30 am. Attendance is marked everyday at night but it is quite flexible. There is a biometric system in place at the gates to record entry and exit. If we are staying out then we have to drop an email to the hostel authorities, fill out a form and a parent has to talk to the warden to let them know that we have permission to leave.

• How are the hostel facilities overall (rooms, cleanliness, Wi-Fi, common areas)?

Room
First-year students are allotted double-sharing rooms, but the size of these rooms is not adequate. The space is cramped, making it difficult to study for long hours. Fortunately, the library is spacious enough to accommodate all first-year students and is fully air-conditioned, so we often find ourselves spending more time there than in our rooms.
From the second year onward, students move to single rooms. While the room size remains the same, the single occupancy makes it sufficiently spacious for comfortable study and living.
Overall, hostel accommodation can be a challenge in the first year, but this issue is resolved from the second year onward.

Cleanliness
The hostel and campus are cleaned daily. There are dedicated cleaning staff present on every floor of both hostels to ensure that rooms and common areas are kept neat. The cleaning team is available every day, so if students utilize the resources responsibly, maintaining a clean lifestyle is possible.
While there are occasional instances of littering, primarily due to the careless attitude of some students, the campus is generally clean and well-maintained.

Wi-Fi
There are ongoing issues with Wi-Fi connectivity across the campus. While the Academic Block and Hostel are connected to Wi-Fi, several other areas, especially those just beyond these main buildings experience weak or no Wi-Fi signal. This results in difficulty accessing the internet for students outside the primary Wi-Fi zones.

Common Areas
There are obviously official common rooms. But as the campus is quite big and the number of people present is not that large, so these official rooms remain unused and the general trend is convert outdoor places into common gathering areas.

• What’s the social life like in hostels — are there events, gatherings, study groups?

There are regular events by different centres. Intra batch sports events and also cultural fests take place. Study groups are mainly personalized.

• How is the hostel infrastructure? Are the rooms single, double or triple sharing?

First year – double sharing

Second year onwards – single room

• Is ac facility available?

No, AC facility is not available in the hostel and gets really hot here. People have to bring in their own pedestal fans and coolers to manage the heat.

📜 Rules & Regulations

• What are the major academic rules and regulations — especially regarding attendance and exams?

We have 75% attendance policy which is being strictly followed. Students are debarred from taking End-semester exams if they fail to have 75% attendance. We can apply medical claims and academic claims above 66% attendance only to achieve the desired 75%. Below that even claims are not allowed. Special exemptions are given at the discretion of the Exam Department and the Vice -Chancellor.

• How strict is the administration regarding discipline and code of conduct?

The administration is quite strict and rigid regarding discipline and code of conduct especially during college events. Students may be given show cause notices for violating rules and they have to appear for proctorial board hearings, after which their punishment is decided.

• Are there specific dress codes for certain activities like moots or presentations?

In moots – Black and white formals

Presentations and other activities – Formals

📝 Academics: Internals, Assignments, Unit Tests

• How frequent are the internals, assignments, and UTs (Unit Tests)?

There are 5 years of Law school, and each year has 2 semesters. Each semester has a total of 6 subjects. Some colleges have both Mid-Sem exams and End-Sem exams, but we only have an End-Sem Exam. We follow the system of Absolute Grading. The current marks scheme followed by our college is as follows.

1. 1. Project – 20 marks
   2. PPT on the project – 10 marks
   3. Presentation of the PPT – 10 marks
   4. Written paper – 60 marks.

Previously it was:

1. 1. Project – 25 marks
   2. Viva – 5 marks
   3. Theory – 70 marks

• Are assessments heavily weighted towards exams, projects, or continuous evaluation?

Examinations are mostly based on plain theory and there isn’t much scope of application of the theory.

📚 Classes and Timing

• What is the daily class timing like?

Class timings are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We have a total of 6 classes, with the last being a tutorial class. The last class has started this year and has been a centre of protest in the initial parts of this semester.

• Are Saturdays working days at your law school?

No, Saturdays are holiday.

• How hectic is the weekly schedule?

Classes till 4:30pm are really tiring. Sometimes teachers schedule make-up lectures for lectures they miss and they can go on till 6:00pm or even 8:00pm. This becomes really hectic as we have projects, presentations and many other activities.

🎉 Semester Breaks

• When are the semester breaks scheduled? And how long are these semester breaks?

We have almost two months of semester breaks each.

• Are breaks enough to take internships or refresh properly?

This is more than enough time to take up long and fruitful internships. I personally did not do any internship during my first Semester break, but successfully and comfortably completed two during my subsequent semester break.

🌍 Diversity and National Representation

• How is the national representation at your law school — do students come from all over India?

There are students from all over the country.

• How inclusive and diverse is the campus culture?

We have an inclusive and diverse culture. There are various committees and societies that ensure inclusivity among students.

🛎️ Day 1: Registration and Admission

• What was the Day 1 experience like during hostel registration and college admission?
• Are there any important tips for a smooth admission/hostel registration process?

⚖️ Moot Court Activities

• What is the culture around mooting at your college?

There is a really great mooting culture in my college. We have a committee called – The Moot Society, which overlooks everything related to mooting. We have our own flagship moot court competition – IMAM. We conducted its 12^th edition this year. We also have Intra University Moot Court Competition (IUMCC) and Intra University Mooting Championship (IUMC).

• How early can a first-year student start participating in moots?

The IUMCC is conducted in the odd sem through July-September so first years can participate from the first sem itself. This year TMS started the IUMC for first and second years to help us learn. It was conducted from December-January.

• Are there internal selections for moots?

Students are allotted moots based on their ranks in IUMCC. There some moots which have open challengers and internal quality checks so, anyone can participate and get that moot allotted.

• Is there any special training or mentorship available for moots?

TMS released a list of mentors (5^th and 4^th years) to help with moots. This was introduced this year itself. The basics of mooting were covered during the orientation. TMS conducted 1-2 sessions where they demonstrated mooting and taught us editing and formatting memorials.

🎯 Extracurriculars

• What extracurricular activities are available at your law school?

The major extracurricular activities that law students typically participate in are mooting, mediation & negotiation, and debating. At NLUO, we have dedicated centres for each of these fields. The college hosts a flagship international maritime moot every year, along with separate inter-college debating, mediation and negotiation competitions. The mooting culture here is well-established, with a strong foundation that helps newcomers to a great extent.For me, the most important aspect of extracurriculars is the level of exposure the college provides. Like most top NLUs, NLUO offers an excellent range of opportunities for those looking to excel in these areas. The college regularly participates in all prestigious national mooting competitions and many respected international moots as well.

• Which activities would you recommend to a 1st year student?

Personally, I recommend that first-year students participate in all three extracurricular activities. This provides valuable exposure and helps them decide which areas to focus on in their later years. For example, I plan to concentrate on mooting and mediation & negotiation in my senior years.

• How do extracurriculars help in career building or internships?

Regarding the importance of extracurricular activities for career building or internships, they are not a strict requirement. Having them on your CV may or may not be beneficial, depending on the line of work one chooses. At the very least, they will not negatively affect your prospects.

• Are there any limitations of participating in extracurriculars?

Selection for these events is determined through independent intra-university competitions, ensuring a fair process with no room for favoritism or bias. There are no restrictions on participation in any extracurricular activity.

• How do you personally balance academics and extracurricular activities?

Balancing academics and extracurriculars is not as difficult as it sounds, although no fixed jacket formula can be applied here. As one goes through law school, they figure out their own way of balancing their academics and activities. Sometimes one among the two has to be prioritized, but generally, there is no problem in maintaining a balance between the two.

👥 Committees

• What are the major committees and societies in your law school?

There are many committees and societies in my college like The Mooting Society, Alternate Dispute Resolution Board, Constitutional Law Society, Centre for Corporate Law, Sports Committee, Cult Crew, etc

• Which committees should a first-year student definitely try to join?

It really depends on the interest of a particular student and there is no mandate as such. Students can join any committee or society in which they are interested.

• What is the process of getting into a committee? How competitive is the selection for these committees?

First year students are generally taken as co-opts. Google forms are circulated by the committees in which students are required to submit are asked to submit a SoP based on which they are called for interviews by senior members of the committee.

Some committees are really popular like TMS, ADR Board, etc and selection can become difficult but one can engage with the committees through volunteering also.

🎊 Fests and Campus Life

• What are the major college fests?

We have an intra university cultural fest in the odd sem called HUNAR. The other two major fests KAIRAAN (cultural fest) and VIRAJ (sports fest) are conducted in the even sem.

• How vibrant is the cultural and sports scene at your law school?

The cultural and sports scene at my law school is quite vibrant and forms an essential part of campus life.

🏀 Sports Facilities

• What kind of sports facilities are available on campus?

One area where NLUO truly excels is in its sports facilities. The college boasts two indoor badminton courts—while not built to professional standards, they are more than sufficient for college-level play. There’s also a comprehensive sports complex featuring two basketball courts, one volleyball court, and one lawn tennis court. The campus includes a football field equipped with floodlights. A cricket field with a gallery is currently under construction.
Indoor sports such as table tennis, chess, and carrom are available as well. Additionally, throwball and athletics are also present.

• Are there any sports teams or tournaments students can participate in?

The college maintains dedicated teams for volleyball, cricket, football, badminton, throwball, table tennis, and athletics, all of which hold regular practice sessions. As a member of the football team, I can personally attest to the special and commendable football culture at NLUO. The team practices every weekday, a commitment reflected in the impressive trophy cabinet of the NLUO Football Club.

• How active is the sports culture at your college?

It is extremely active and I highly recommend that all newcomers join at least one team sport. It’s a fantastic way to stay active, make friends, and become part of the vibrant sports community at NLUO.

🎓 Class Representative (CR) Selection and Responsibilities

• How is the CR (Class Representative) selected?

We have Batch Representatives – one male and one female. They are elected through voting by the students of the whole batch.

• What are the main responsibilities of a CR?

It mainly involves taking the concerns of the students to teachers and the administration.

• How much influence or say does a CR have regarding student concerns?

They represent the whole batch and take up the issues to higher authorities to be solved.

🏛️ Student Union

• Is there a Student Union at your college?

We have a Student Council which consists of Batch Representatives from each batch.

• How active is the Student Union in addressing student issues or organizing events?

It is partially effective. Some issues get resolved, some don’t. The student council does not organise any events. However, this year they organized a protest as student demands were not being fulfilled by the administration.

• Can first-year students get involved with the Student Union?

Yes, by becoming a batch representative.

🧑‍💼 Key People in the Administration

• Who are the key people in the administration that students should know about? (Dean, Registrar, Warden, etc.)

Students should know about the Dean, Registrar, Warden and the people from Exam Department.

• Whom should students approach for different issues like academic help, hostel problems, or disciplinary matters?

For hostel problems one can talk to the warden present and for other academic and disciplinary matters we can go to the authorities through the BRs.

• “Is there any unwritten advice about how to approach professors or administration to get help more easily?”

Not really. We can directly approach professors for any kind of help. For getting help from the administration, we can go through the BRs.

Scholarships

• What scholarships are available for the students?

Merit-cum-means based scholarship is available for the students and many other scholarships are also there which are notified to the students through mail.

🛠️ Internship Guidance

• How does the college support students in finding internships?

We have a student led Internship Committee that releases information regarding available slots for information. Mostly, students find and apply internships themselves.

• What should a first-year law student do to land good internships?

Applying well in advance, almost 4-5 months before helps in securing internships at the desired place.

• What types of internships are recommended during the first year?

First years can intern in NGOs, District Court, under a lawyer, etc.

❤️ College Likes & Areas of Improvement

• What do you like the most about your college?

We have a really nice campus and the seniors are also very helpful. I also enjoy playing football, cricket and badminton in the college.

• Where do you think the college can improve?

The college can improve regarding infrastructure and faculty. The administration also needs to improve to better resolve student issues.

🏆 College Strengths

• According to you, what are the three biggest strengths of your college?

We have a strong culture of mooting and other co-curricular activities like ADR, debating etc.

We have student led committees and societies that are always aiming to promote our college and bring in better opportunities for students.

We have a rigorous and flexible academic curriculum which builds a strong foundation.

🎯 Placements and Career Support

• How strong is the placement cell at your college?

We do not have a placement cell. We have a student led Recruitment Coordination Committee which undertakes activities to bring in better recruitment opportunities for the students.

• What kind of firms, companies, or organizations usually recruit from your campus?

Mostly law firms hire students from our campus but efforts are ongoing to bring in more companies and organisations.