DSNLU | VIVIDH 5.0: National Policy Discussion Competition|7th and 8th February 2026 at the university campus

Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU), Visakhapatnam, through its student-run committee Drishtikon, is organising VIVIDH 5.0, a national-level policy discussion competition scheduled to be held on 7th and 8th February 2026 at the university campus. The competition seeks to provide a unique platform for law students across the country to engage with draft legislations, propose amendments, and deliberate upon public policy through structured and moderated discussions.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

About DSNLU

Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University was established in 2008 through an Act of the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly (Act 32 of 2008). It is named after Damodaram Sanjivayya, the 2nd Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, a leader of the marginalized sections, and for being a leader who strived for the advancement of society. He was known for being a modest and sincere leader of the masses, apart from being a lawyer himself.

DSNLU endeavors to be a premier law school with state-of-the-art facilities and an emphasis on clinical aspects to promote and provide world-class education, training, research consultancy, and services. We strive to design and deliver unique, innovative, and research-based pedagogy for the holistic promotion of the students. The university offers a five-year integrated B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), one-year LL.M. (Constitutional Law and Administrative Law, Criminal and Security Law, and Corporate and Commercial Law), and a 3-year LLB course for graduate students. Additionally, it offers Doctoral and Post-Doctoral degrees in legal and interdisciplinary studies. The university also offers certificate courses.

About Drishtikon, DSNLU

Drishtikon is a student-run committee of DSNLU that organises weekly discussions on contemporary socio-legal, political, and historical issues. It provides a platform for students to freely express their viewpoints in an atmosphere of dialogue, diversity, and respectful deliberation. In addition to its weekly discussions, Drishtikon conducts panel discussions and policy-based competitions aimed at strengthening analytical, interpretative, and advocacy skills among students. Over the years, Drishtikon has successfully organised multiple panel discussions and national-level competitions, contributing significantly to DSNLU’s student-driven intellectual culture.

About VIVIDH

VIVIDH is Drishtikon’s annual Policy Discussion Competition, conceptualised to embrace vividh – diverse – viewpoints. It is a one-of-its-kind event wherein the participants are given a draft legislation (made by the members of Drishtikon) and asked to propose amendments. They would be marked on their skill of interpreting the clauses, proposing the amendments, viability of these amendments and their ability to lobby the fellow participants for their amendments to be passed. So far, four editions have been successfully conducted.

KEY DETAILS OF THE COMPETITION

Structure of the Competition

VIVIDH 5.0 will be conducted in two stages: Preliminary Rounds and Final Rounds. The Preliminary Round will consist of four independent rounds, from which a fixed minimum number of participants will qualify for the Finals.

Participants in the Preliminary Rounds will be allotted one of the following draft legislations:

Geo-Heritage Bill
Right to Disconnect Bill
Press and Registration Bill
Citizen’s Charter Bill

The competition follows a moderator-driven format, with the presence of judges, a time-keeper, a fact-checker, and a scribe to ensure transparency and accountability. Detailed rules and procedures are provided in the official rulebook, and participants are expected to strictly adhere to the same.

TIMELINE
Date	Important Events
18.12.2025	Registrations Open
15.01.2026	Last Date of Registration
16.01.2026	Allotment of Bills
18.01.2026	Orientation Session (Online)
01.02.2026	Submission of Amendment for Prelims
01.02.2026	Release of Final Bill
05.02.2026	Circulation of Amendment for Prelims
07.02.2026	Inauguration at 12:30 pm (Offline)
07.02.2026	Preliminary Rounds I, II, III & IV
07.02.2026	Announcement of Finalists (latest by 6 pm)
08.02.2026	Submission of Amendment for Finals (latest by 7am)
08.02.2026	Final Rounds

Registration Deadline

Participants must register by 12:00 AM, 15th January 2026 through the official Google Form. Each participant must rank the four available topics in order of preference. In case of unequal participation across topics, drafts may be allotted based on second or third preferences. All registration and allotment will follow a First Come, First Serve basis. Register here: Registration link.

Registration Fee

Inclusive of Accommodation: ₹500
For DSNLU Students: ₹300

(The accommodation package includes meals for the entire duration.)

Accommodation and Travel Arrangements

Participants opting for accommodation will be provided lodging within the University campus for the entire duration of the competition.
Participants must arrange their own travel to the University campus. The organising team will remain available to assist and guide participants during arrival and stay.

Awards and Recognition

The competition offers the following accolades: