Day 1: Preliminary Rounds and Inaugural Ceremony (28th April 2026)
The first day of the 1st All India Moot Court Competition, 2026, organized by Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta Institute of Professional Studies, New Delhi, commenced with great enthusiasm and witnessed participation from 40 teams and nearly 120 law students representing reputed universities and colleges from across India. The day began with the registration of participants, followed by a detailed briefing session to familiarize them with the rules and procedures of the competition. Simultaneously, the judges for the preliminary rounds arrived and were briefed accordingly, ensuring smooth conduct of the proceedings.
The competition formally progressed with the draw of lots, determining the matchups for the preliminary rounds. The Preliminary Round-I was conducted before lunch, where participants presented well-structured arguments, demonstrating their research, advocacy, and legal reasoning skills. After a scheduled lunch break, Preliminary Round-II was conducted, continuing the competitive spirit among the participants. The rounds were judged by experienced legal professionals who evaluated the participants on various parameters, including knowledge of law, articulation, and court etiquette.
Following the completion of the preliminary rounds, the judges were felicitated with mementos and saplings as a token of appreciation for their valuable contribution. The focus then shifted towards the inaugural ceremony, which marked the formal opening of the competition. The ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Justice (Retd.) M. Karpaga Vinayagam, former Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, as the Chief Guest. The ceremony commenced with the traditional lamp lighting and Saraswati Vandana, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
The dignitaries welcomed the Chief Guest with a shawl, sapling, and memento, followed by a welcome address by the Respected Director, Prof. (Dr.) Niranjan Bhattacharyya. The event also featured a classical Bharatanatyam dance performance, adding a cultural dimension to the occasion.
In his keynote address, Justice Vinayagam emphasized the importance of discipline, honesty, and humanity in shaping a successful legal career. He inspired students by highlighting the guiding principles of “Aim, Development, and Growth,: ADG” symbolizing ADG Law School encouraging them to uphold ethical values in the legal profession. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks, the National Anthem, and the announcement of the results of the preliminary rounds, thereby identifying the teams advancing to the next stage.
Day 2: Semi-Final, Final Round and Valedictory Ceremony (29th April 2026)
The second day of the competition marked the culmination of the event and began with the arrival of participants and judges for the semi-final rounds. The day opened with a formal session in which the semi-final judges were felicitated, followed by their briefing to ensure uniformity in evaluation. The semi-final rounds witnessed intense legal arguments and a high level of competition, as the qualifying teams from the preliminary rounds competed for a place in the finals. The semi-final rounds were adjudicated by a distinguished panel comprising:-
-Mr. Neeraj Sharma (Advocate, Delhi High Court),
-Adv. Debabrata Reddy (Advocate-on-Record, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India),
-Dr. Dharam Deshna (Senior Central Government Counsel, Central Administrative Tribunal, Delhi),
-Prof. Rakesh Kumar (USLLS, GGSIPU,New Delhi),
-Mr. Raman Anand (Retd. CBI Senior Public Prosecutor; presently Special Executive Magistrate, MCD),
-Dr. Prerna Gulati (Associate Professor, IILM),
-Dr. Sangeetha Abraham (Associate Professor, IIMT), and
-Adv. Abhinav Raghav (Advocate, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India).
Their expert evaluation ensured a high standard of judging and constructive feedback for participants.
Upon completion of the semi-final rounds, the results were announced, and the top teams advanced to the final round. The final round was held in the auditorium and was adjudicated by a distinguished panel of judges, including:-
-Dr. Arvind P. Bhanu, Professor of Law, Research and Additional Director/Jt. Head, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India and Adjunct Professor at University of Adelaide, Australia.
-Advocate Nikhilesh Kumar, an Advocate-on-Record, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India with 20 plus years of experience.
-Ms. Vandna Beri, Advocate, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India & Company Secretary
The finalists presented compelling arguments on the theme “Deepfake Technology and Cyber Crime,” reflecting their understanding of contemporary legal challenges in the digital era The valedictory ceremony followed, marking the successful conclusion of the competition
The valedictory ceremony commenced in the afternoon with the gracious presence of the Hon’ble Chief Guest Dr. TR Naval, Former District & Sessions Judge, Delhi. The ceremony included the felicitation of the Chief Guest and the judges, followed by a welcome address and a cultural performance by the Virsa Society. The Chief Guest addressed the gathering, appreciating the efforts of the participants and organizers, and highlighting the importance of such competitions in nurturing practical legal skills.
The highlight of the ceremony was the announcement of results and the distribution of awards. The winning team was awarded a trophy, a cash prize of ₹25,000, and certificates, while the runner-up team received a trophy, ₹15,000, and certificates. Additional awards for Best Mooter, Best Researcher, and Best Memorial were also presented to deserving participants, carrying cash prizes of ₹10,000, ₹10,000, and ₹5,000 respectively, along with certificates.. The event concluded with a vote of thanks, followed by a group photograph and the National Anthem, marking the successful completion of the competition.
