About the Competition
The Central Library of 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
- 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
Eligibility
Open to UG/PG students, research scholars, practitioners, academicians (from all fields)
Writing Guidelines
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.
Title of the Book
- Mention the full title of the book being reviewed, along with the author’s name.
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.
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).
Significance (200–300 words)
- Explain how the book contributes.
- Assess its relevance in education, research, policy or society.
- Highlight the importance of the book in the selected theme (e.g., Human Rights, AI Law, Environmental Law, etc.).
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.
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.
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)
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.
Originality and Plagiarism
- Reviews must be original and unpublished.
- Submissions will be checked by using Similarity detection software.
How to Register?
Interested candidates can register online via the link given at the end of the post.
Fee
- 250/- Single Authorship,
- 400/- Co-authorship is allowed for up to two authors.
Name of the Bank : HDFC
Name of A/c Holder : Dharmashastra National Law University
Account Number : 50100532304180
IFSC : HDFC0000224
Prizes
- 1st Prize: ₹ 4000/-
- 2nd Prize:₹ 2500/-
- 3rd Prize: ₹ 1500/-
Contact
For any queries, please write to: bookreviewcompetition@mpdnlu.ac.in
Click here to register.
