SELF STUDY REPORT Submitted to: National Assessment and Accreditation Council, Bangalore By : NALSAR University of Law Justice City, Shameerpet, Hyderabad - 500101, Telangana Preface NALSAR University of Law was established by Act No. 34 of 1998 to provide comprehensive legal education and to promote quality researches in the discipline of law and allied subjects. From its inception, the University is committed to ensure highest quality in imparting legal education. University does not believe in producing mere amoral technicians in terms of their professional competence in law rather it aims at producing professionally competent, technically sound and socially relevant lawyers. Social justice through legal education has been the primary goal of the University. University campus is an architectural accomplishment with aesthetic environment suited for peaceful living. Its dedicated faculty members, ICT facilities, vast library along with e- resources and peers provide the vibrant academic environment making it the best place for learning law. Legal education was in shambles in 70‘s and 80‘s and therefore, the Bar Council of India and the legal fraternity conceived the idea of a full fledged Law University to meet the growing demand for quality legal education. Accordingly, the first Law University was set up in Bangalore in 1988 and the second Law University was set up at Hyderabad in 1998. The discipline specific University was a novel idea but the performance of first two Law Universities and the positive impact they created in terms of legal education was such that today we have as many as 18 Law Universities modelled on NLSIU, Bangalore and NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. We at NALSAR not only learnt from NLSIU, Bangalore but we went beyond them and made our own innovations to create a unique University of our own. As a result, NALSAR has been unequivocally acknowledged as the leader of legal education in the country with its academic standards comparable to best institution of legal education in the world. NALSAR was the first Law University to introduce full fledged ‗Choice Based Credit System‘ consistent with international norms in terms of teaching hours. NALSAR‘s LL.M. Programme is unique in terms of student driven specialisation programmes. We also were the first and remain the only Law University which has introduced academic credits for teaching assistantship by senior students. We are the only Law University which has introduced the concept of ‗Reasonable Accommodation‘ and ‗Restorative Justice‘. We have also introduced some highly specialised proximate and online courses. Self-study provides an opportunity for introspection and gives insights for future action plan. HEI‗s find it difficult to make an honest assessment given the subjective nature of such assessment. Developing parameters to limit subjective assessments brings the dilemma of quantitative versus qualitative assessment. NAAC assessment considers these challenges and provides an opportunity to introspect whether the objectives of the institution are attained through its actions in a verifiable manner. The values and objectives that NAAC aims to look for in a HEI are essentially so integral to any HEI that they cannot be different from the objectives of the institution undergoing assessment. Prof. Faizan Mustafa Vice-Chancellor 1 CONTENTS S. No. Particulars Page No. 1 Executive Summary and SWOC Analysis 3 – 7 2 University Profile 8 – 22 3 Criterion I: 23 – 59 Curricular Aspects 4 Criterion II: 60 – 87 Teaching-Learning and Evaluation 5 Criterion III: 88 – 141 Research, Consultancy and Extension 6 Criterion IV: 142 – 158 Infrastructure and Learning Resources 7 Criterion V: 159 – 186 Student Support and Progression 8 Criterion VI: 187 – 214 Governance, Leadership and Management 9 Criterion VII: 215 – 227 Innovations and Best Practices 2 Executive Summary NALSAR was established by Act 34 of 1998. After the bifurcation of the State in 2014, the University is now located in the State of Telangana. The University is recognised by the University Grants Commission under Section 2(f) (04/06/1999) and 12B (22/07/2004). University also has approval of the Bar Council of India (BCI). The University was established with the objective of imparting comprehensive legal education which shall in particular promote cultural, legal and ethical values and foster the rule of law and the other egalitarian goals of our nation enshrined in the Constitution of India. The University also has the mandate to promote legal awareness in the community for achieving social and economic justice and to improve the ability of the public to objectively analyse contemporary issues of public concern and appreciate their legal implications. NALSAR‘s curricula has been designed keeping in view these lofty ideals. We have been taking positions on all issues of contemporary relevance and contribute in enriching the public discourse on legal issues of contemporary relevance. Our stated goal of producing socially relevant lawyers is consistent with the aforesaid objects of the University. Our emphasis on humanities is reflected in the impressive list of electives we offer and is also directed towards realisation of our goal to produce human beings with versatile personality who feel the pains of fellow human beings. NALSAR believes in the ‗integration of knowledge‘ and has moved beyond the inter-disciplinarity. Accordingly, we have integrated our humanities and management subjects with law and look at law in the context of our social problems. University receives minimal financial support for developing infrastructure from the State Government, it receives small grant from the UGC as per the plan allocation. Revenue expenditure is out of our own resources. University also receives endowments and grants for chairs which support University financially and academically. University offers diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate degree programs in law and allied areas. University offers programs both in regular as well as distant mode. University has introduced ‗Choice Based Credit System‘ for all its undergraduate and post graduate programs offered in regular mode. University courses are designed in such a way that each course comprises of teaching and research. Research component has been in-built in all our courses. ‗Academic Flexibility‘ is the major hallmark of our curriculum. University provides academic flexibility in curriculum by offering wide range of courses to choose from. University also offers flexibility in examination and evaluation pattern for students representing University at various national and international academic activities. University revises its course curriculum and course design periodically through systematic process considering the contemporary developments and needs. University has entered into MoUs with 30 reputed foreign Universities which provide opportunity for exchange of students facilitating peer learning. Sicne the University was established with the intention of making it an institute of national excellence, hence it admits students from all States in India besides receiving foreign nationals. University provides reservation as prescribed by the Indian Constitution, besides proving horizontal reservation for girl students. It also provides domicile reservation. NALSAR values diversity which is promoted in a systematic way. 3 University has the ideal student teacher ratio of 13:1 which helps the University to mentor its student‘s progression properly. University has introduced many innovative practices such as tutorials, innovative research projects, seminar courses, teaching assistantship, remote access for e-resources of library etc. to help the students with differential learning abilities. University provides scholarships and facilitate bank loans for the needy students. University has established 20 research centres for advanced learning. These centres conduct researches, publish journals and promote academic activities. University undertakes funded research projects from national and international agencies and the Central and State Governments. University is always known for its research and publications. University publishes eleven journals. University has developed clinical courses to impart practical training and has range of extension activities giving its students hands on experience besides helping the poor. These activities also help to inculcate values and requisite professional skills among students. The comprehensive and socially relevant legal education which NALSAR offers has received all-round appreciation and accordingly, there is a huge demand for NALSAR students in the law firms, bar, corporates etc. Our Undergraduate students have consistently received 100% placements with pay packages comparable to the best campus recruitments in the country. We admit the best brains of the country due to our unique curriculum and assured placements. University students have received prestigious scholarships and fellowships such as Rhodes etc. Our students have won several international moot court competitions. Our students are also doing exceedingly well in the civil services and judicial services examinations. Several reputed universities have recruited our Postgraduate students as Assistant Professors. University has a library building of 54,323 Sq. ft. with collection of books, journals, law reports besides e-resources. University provides best ICT facilities including 24x7 Wi-Fi and LAN connectivity on campus besides remote