Institutional Development Plan The Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, (HPNLU, Shimla), is a specialized national level higher education institution of excellence established for the advancement of cause of learning, teaching, research, and dissemination of knowledge in the field of law. The University is one of the premier National Law Universities in the Country established by the State of Himachal Pradesh enacting the special legislation, namely, “Himachal Pradesh National Law University Act, 2016” (Act No.16of 2016). In furtherance of these objectives the Government of Himachal Pradesh and the High Court of Himachal Pradesh have taken unto themselves the complete project of developing the integrated complex and running the National Law University at Shimla. Under the academic excellence and administrative leadership of the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena, the University is committed to achieve new heights in legal education as per the vision and mission of the University. Located in the geographical terrains of the Himalayas, HPNLU, Shimla, is one of the best places for studying law in India. The University focuses on the holistic developments of students about the legal system, topographies of law making, legal practice, and administration. Perhaps, climatic conditions and environmental privileges of its placement, makes the University one of the most sought-after law education institutions within a short span of time of its establishment. The institution has attracted excellent set of teachers from all over India. The University is committed to provide inter-disciplinary and practical/application based legal education keeping in view the requirements of the overall developments of its students and to make them relevant nationally and internationally. The University inducts students through Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for its Under-graduate (UG) programme, which includes B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) and B.B.A.LL.B. (Hons.)(Five-Year Integrated Programmes) and the Post-graduate (PG) programme of one-year LL.M. The PG programme provides four specializations viz, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law & Forensic Studies, Business Law and Intellectual Property Rights. The University also offers Doctor of Philosophy(Ph.D. in Law) and Post-Doctorate Programmes (LL.D. in Law). Presently there are approximately 900 students and Research Scholars. In addition, there are 180 teaching and non-teaching employees. The University is a fully residential institution recognised by the UGC under Section 2(f) and by the Bar Council of India. The Institutional Development Plan of the University comprises of the following: - 1. Academic: - The University has two programmes for the Under Graduate section comprising of B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) and B.B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) (Five-Year Integrated Programmes) run in accordance with and the rules of and the recognition by the Bar Council of India. The intake for B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) (Five-Year Integrated Programmes) is one unit comprising of 60 students. The intake for B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) (Five-Year Integrated Programmes) is two units comprising of 120 students. The University is under the process of compliance of requirements for NIRF Ranking 2025 and NAAC accreditations. The University has a strength of 80 Research Scholars under its Post-graduate (PG) programme of one-year LL.M. The University has established advance research centres for taking specific interdisciplinary research activities asper the National Education Policy (NEP -2020) under specialised branches of law. Study of relevant social sciences are integrated to the course curriculum of law under UG and PG both. The University within a short span of time has been able to foster an excellent culture of academic and policy research. Its annual flagship publication, Shimla Law Review (SLR, a UGC CARE listed Law Journal) has secured reputation internationally. In addition, to SLR the University publishes four interdisciplinary PEER Reviewed Law Journals. The University is in the process of bringing out several publications. The University has developed and is in the process of implementing the plans, in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP -2020) for diversifying its law education. Accordingly, studies related to development of legal and public policies are being encouraged. In addition, the University and the Research Centres are taking initiatives for institutionalising specific credit and non-credit certificate courses (Online and Offline both), Post Graduate Diploma in different upcoming areas of law. The Institution also has plans to grant financial, and administrative supports and academic guidance to its faculty and Research Centres for taking up and executing research and allied activities in line with the principles and objectives of the NEP. The CLAT Consortium has developed resolved to implement exchange of faculty and students amongst all its members. As part of the mandate of the Consortium, the University is under the process of executing the exchange programme. In addition, HPNLU, Shimla is in the process of institutionalising student and faculty exchange programmes with other institutions, national and international, with whom it has academic partnerships. The University is also in the process of collaborating with different department of the State and Central government for policy research and development as well as expert training of officials. 2. Administrative:- The Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, (HPNLU, Shimla), is established by the State of Himachal Pradesh by, “Himachal Pradesh National Law University Act, 2016” (Act No.16 of 2016) in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the University has Academic and other Regulations framed and approved by Bodies of the University. University is committed and abides by all applicable rules, regulations, guidelines of the UGC and BCI. Nodal Officers, Cells and Committees such as Chief Vigilance Officer, Students Grievance Redressal Committee, Ombudsman, Equal Opportunity Cell, Socio-Economically Disadvantage Group Cell (SEDG), SC/ST, OBC Welfare Cell, Anti-Ragging Committee, International Student Centre, and various other Cells/Committees have been appointed and established by the University in accordance with UGC and other regulatory authorities. These Cells and Committees are fully functional as per the norms. The University has a centralised and transparent administrative system. The institution has requested the Government for external audit. The University is committed to providing promotion avenues to its employees and regularization etc., as per applicable norms and law. The Institution is also committed to fill all positions including post of officials regularly. The University does not receive any financial support from Government or revenue budget for recurrent expenditure and day to day functioning. The Chief and only source of revenue for the University is revenue generated from fee charged from students. Yet the University is committed to become administratively and financially viable. The plans include implementing financial probity, ensuring ethical and transparent financial practices, and mechanism for ensuring absolute protection against any leakage or profligate expenditures, if any. In the absence of regular budget grant from the government the University is trying to generate funds from external agencies, public and private, including CSR. To make the administration more transparent all relevant records have been put on the website of the University under the mandatory Self Disclosure mandate of the UGC. The plans on the administrative side for the University includes implementing periodical professional training and skill development programmes for all cadres of teaching and non-teaching employees. The University is regularly contacting different departments and agencies of the Government to help and contribute towards the specific policy formulations and their efficient execution. In this regard, University has been taking initiatives/projects, training, and skill development activities relating to forest, prison, police, disability, woman, indigenous knowledge, and tribal etc. issues. In addition, the University has initiated proposals for developing MOOCs and SWAYAM courses and programmes which shall be available online for people across the country. The University has robust committees and societies such as Moot Court and Rotaract Club, Pro Bono Club, Legal Aid Clinic etc. Establishment of NCC and NSS units are in the pipeline. 3. Infrastructure: - The University, established in 2016, is about eight years old. It has got Campus, partially constructed, by the HPPWD. In the absence of physical and academic infrastructure the University faces many hardships relating to absence of amenities and convenience as well as challenges regarding safety and security of girls and boys students and employees of the University. The University has regularly taking up issues regarding infrastructure with the concerned department of the government and the Hon’ble High of Himachal Pradesh. In addition, construction and availability of minimum academic and physical infrastructures are precondition for the University to become nationally and internationally competitive as well as to enable it to pursue and achieve the Legislative objective (prescribed under Act No.16 of 2016) of becoming a centre of excellence of law education in the state. The infrastructure development plans of the University comprise of three phases. The total cost of the completed, ongoing, and planned infrastructure development is estimated to be approximately Rs. 680crores and the total area of land required is approximately 15 hectares (about185 bighas land). In the first phase, currently under the process, (Khasra Nos.725, 720 and 1157/672/1 Mauje Ghandal, Panchayat Shakrah, comprising of approximately 4 hectares land, Shimla Rural) the University has focused on development of the integrated campus comprising of Administrative Building, Academic Building and Hostels for girls and boys students. Under the first phase the University has got (three buildings only) Administrative Block A, Academic Block B and C and one girls’ hostel of the capacity of 136 residents. A fourth building, the second girls’ hostel of the capacity of 208 residents is on the verge of completion and is scheduled to be delivered by the HPPWD by the end of the current financial year. The first phase also comprises of the plan for construction of Composite Block that will house Library, Research Centres, Moot Court and Faculty Chambers etc., adjacent to the Academic Block. The total estimated cost of the Composite Block is Rs. 25 Crores. This Composite Block is under process to be constructed under the CSIR mandate of SJVN. It is pertinent to note that the strength of students shall reach more than twelve hundred(1200) in next two years. The total expenditure for the completion of the first phase of infrastructure development, is expected to be Rs. 130 Crores. Accordingly, a total of six more hostels are required to be constructed. The second phase of the development of infrastructure planned to be executed in the land area adjoining to the existing Campus (consisting of approximately 4 hectares, 25 bighas, land-Khasra No. 679 Mauje Ghandal, Panchayat Shakrah, Shimla Rural) is expected to accommodate 4-5 hostels for girls’ and boys’ students, residence for the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, one auditorium of the seating capacity of 1000, one convenience centre and one workshop. The process of acquisition of said land is under way through FCA proposal no. FP/HP/SCH/417419/2023which is in the advance stage. All expenditure for executing the infrastructure development under the second phase are to be met under capital grant by the Government of Himachal Pradesh under the mandate of the Act No. 16 of 2016. The total estimated expenditure of this phase is expected to be approximately Rs. 250 Crores. Under the third phase of planned infrastructure development, land comprising of 98 bighas (approximately 8 hectares, Khasra No. 1092 Mauje Ghandal, Panchayat Shakrah, Shimla Rural) has been identified jointly by the Hon’ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh, State Government, HPNLU, Shimla and the forest department. This phase will comprise of residential accommodations for all employees, school, convenience centre, play ground etc. The total expenditure of this phase is expected to be approximately Rs. 300 Crores. The funds are to be arranged through various agencies of Government and other sources on the acquisition/transfer of the said land in favour of the University. University hopefully expects to achieve the above infrastructure developments in the next one decade. *********************************
Institutional Development Plan
The Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, (HPNLU, Shimla), is a specialized national level higher education institution of excellence established for the advancement of cause of learning, teaching, research, and dissemination of knowledge in the field of law. The University is one of the premier National Law Universities in the Country established by the State of Himachal Pradesh enacting the special legislation, namely, “Himachal Pradesh National Law University Act, 2016” (Act No.16of 2016). In furtherance of these objectives the Government of Himachal Pradesh and the High Court of Himachal Pradesh have taken unto themselves the complete project of developing the integrated complex and running the National Law University at Shimla. Under the academic excellence and administrative leadership of the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena, the University is committed to achieve new heights in legal education as per the vision and mission of the University.
Located in the geographical terrains of the Himalayas, HPNLU, Shimla, is one of the best places for studying law in India. The University focuses on the holistic developments of students about the legal system, topographies of law making, legal practice, and administration. Perhaps, climatic conditions and environmental privileges of its placement, makes the University one of the most sought-after law education institutions within a short span of time of its establishment. The institution has attracted excellent set of teachers from all over India. The University is committed to provide inter-disciplinary and practical/application based legal education keeping in view the requirements of the overall developments of its students and to make them relevant nationally and internationally.
The University inducts students through Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for its Under-graduate (UG) programme, which includes B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) and B.B.A.LL.B. (Hons.)(Five-Year Integrated Programmes) and the Post-graduate (PG) programme of one-year LL.M. The PG programme provides four specializations viz, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law & Forensic Studies, Business Law and Intellectual Property Rights. The University also offers Doctor of Philosophy(Ph.D. in Law) and Post-Doctorate Programmes (LL.D. in Law). Presently there are approximately 900 students and Research Scholars. In addition, there are 180 teaching and non-teaching employees. The University is a fully residential institution recognised by the UGC under Section 2(f) and by the Bar Council of India.
The Institutional Development Plan of the University comprises of the following: -
1. Academic: - The University has two programmes for the Under Graduate section comprising of B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) and B.B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) (Five-Year Integrated Programmes) run in accordance with and the rules of and the recognition by the Bar Council of India. The intake for B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) (Five-Year Integrated Programmes) is one unit comprising of 60 students. The intake for B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) (Five-Year Integrated Programmes) is two units comprising of 120 students. The University is under the process of compliance of requirements for NIRF Ranking 2025 and NAAC accreditations. The University has a strength of 80 Research Scholars under its Post-graduate (PG) programme of one-year LL.M.
The University has established advance research centres for taking specific interdisciplinary research activities asper the National Education Policy (NEP -2020) under specialised branches of law. Study of relevant social sciences are integrated to the course curriculum of law under UG and PG both.
The University within a short span of time has been able to foster an excellent culture of academic and policy research. Its annual flagship publication, Shimla Law Review (SLR, a UGC CARE listed Law Journal) has secured reputation internationally. In addition, to SLR the University publishes four interdisciplinary PEER Reviewed Law Journals. The University is in the process of bringing out several publications.
The University has developed and is in the process of implementing the plans, in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP -2020) for diversifying its law education. Accordingly, studies related to development of legal and public policies are being encouraged. In addition, the University and the Research Centres are taking initiatives for institutionalising specific credit and non-credit certificate courses (Online and Offline both), Post Graduate Diploma in different upcoming areas of law. The Institution also has plans to grant financial, and administrative supports and academic guidance to its faculty and Research Centres for taking up and executing research and allied activities in line with the principles and objectives of the NEP.
The CLAT Consortium has developed resolved to implement exchange of faculty and students amongst all its members. As part of the mandate of the Consortium, the University is under the process of executing the exchange programme. In addition, HPNLU, Shimla is in the process of institutionalising student and faculty exchange programmes with other institutions, national and international, with whom it has academic partnerships. The University is also in the process of collaborating with different department of the State and Central government for policy research and development as well as expert training of officials.
2. Administrative:- The Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, (HPNLU, Shimla), is established by the State of Himachal Pradesh by, “Himachal Pradesh National Law University Act, 2016” (Act No.16 of 2016) in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the University has Academic and other Regulations framed and approved by Bodies of the University. University is committed and abides by all applicable rules, regulations, guidelines of the UGC and BCI. Nodal Officers, Cells and Committees such as Chief Vigilance Officer, Students Grievance Redressal Committee, Ombudsman, Equal Opportunity Cell, Socio-Economically Disadvantage Group Cell (SEDG), SC/ST, OBC Welfare Cell, Anti-Ragging Committee, International Student Centre, and various other Cells/Committees have been appointed and established by the University in accordance with UGC and other regulatory authorities. These Cells and Committees are fully functional as per the norms.
The University has a centralised and transparent administrative system. The institution has requested the Government for external audit. The University is committed to providing promotion avenues to its employees and regularization etc., as per applicable norms and law. The Institution is also committed to fill all positions including post of officials regularly.
The University does not receive any financial support from Government or revenue budget for recurrent expenditure and day to day functioning. The Chief and only source of revenue for the University is revenue generated from fee charged from students. Yet the University is committed to become administratively and financially viable. The plans include implementing financial probity, ensuring ethical and transparent financial practices, and mechanism for ensuring absolute protection against any leakage or profligate expenditures, if any. In the absence of regular budget grant from the government the University is trying to generate funds from external agencies, public and private, including CSR.
To make the administration more transparent all relevant records have been put on the website of the University under the mandatory Self Disclosure mandate of the UGC.
The plans on the administrative side for the University includes implementing periodical professional training and skill development programmes for all cadres of teaching and non-teaching employees. The University is regularly contacting different departments and agencies of the Government to help and contribute towards the specific policy formulations and their efficient execution. In this regard, University has been taking initiatives/projects, training, and skill development activities relating to forest, prison, police, disability, woman, indigenous knowledge, and tribal etc. issues. In addition, the University has initiated proposals for developing MOOCs and SWAYAM courses and programmes which shall be available online for people across the country.
The University has robust committees and societies such as Moot Court and Rotaract Club, Pro Bono Club, Legal Aid Clinic etc. Establishment of NCC and NSS units are in the pipeline.
3. Infrastructure: - The University, established in 2016, is about eight years old. It has got Campus, partially constructed, by the HPPWD. In the absence of physical and academic infrastructure the University faces many hardships relating to absence of amenities and convenience as well as challenges regarding safety and security of girls and boys students and employees of the University. The University has regularly taking up issues regarding infrastructure with the concerned department of the government and the Hon’ble High of Himachal Pradesh. In addition, construction and availability of minimum academic and physical infrastructures are precondition for the University to become nationally and internationally competitive as well as to enable it to pursue and achieve the Legislative objective (prescribed under Act No.16 of 2016) of becoming a centre of excellence of law education in the state.
The infrastructure development plans of the University comprise of three phases. The total cost of the completed, ongoing, and planned infrastructure development is estimated to be approximately Rs. 680crores and the total area of land required is approximately 15 hectares (about185 bighas land).
In the first phase, currently under the process, (Khasra Nos.725, 720 and 1157/672/1 Mauje Ghandal, Panchayat Shakrah, comprising of approximately 4 hectares land, Shimla Rural) the University has focused on development of the integrated campus comprising of Administrative Building, Academic Building and Hostels for girls and boys students. Under the first phase the University has got (three buildings only) Administrative Block A, Academic Block B and C and one girls’ hostel of the capacity of 136 residents. A fourth building, the second girls’ hostel of the capacity of 208 residents is on the verge of completion and is scheduled to be delivered by the HPPWD by the end of the current financial year. The first phase also comprises of the plan for construction of Composite Block that will house Library, Research Centres, Moot Court and Faculty Chambers etc., adjacent to the Academic Block. The total estimated cost of the Composite Block is Rs. 25 Crores. This Composite Block is under process to be constructed under the CSIR mandate of SJVN. It is pertinent to note that the strength of students shall reach more than twelve hundred(1200) in next two years. The total expenditure for the completion of the first phase of infrastructure development, is expected to be Rs. 130 Crores. Accordingly, a total of six more hostels are required to be constructed.
The second phase of the development of infrastructure planned to be executed in the land area adjoining to the existing Campus (consisting of approximately 4 hectares, 25 bighas, land-Khasra No. 679 Mauje Ghandal, Panchayat Shakrah, Shimla Rural) is expected to accommodate 4-5 hostels for girls’ and boys’ students, residence for the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, one auditorium of the seating capacity of 1000, one convenience centre and one workshop. The process of acquisition of said land is under way through FCA proposal no. FP/HP/SCH/417419/2023which is in the advance stage. All expenditure for executing the infrastructure development under the second phase are to be met under capital grant by the Government of Himachal Pradesh under the mandate of the Act No. 16 of 2016. The total estimated expenditure of this phase is expected to be approximately Rs. 250 Crores.
Under the third phase of planned infrastructure development, land comprising of 98 bighas (approximately 8 hectares, Khasra No. 1092 Mauje Ghandal, Panchayat Shakrah, Shimla Rural) has been identified jointly by the Hon’ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh, State Government, HPNLU, Shimla and the forest department. This phase will comprise of residential accommodations for all employees, school, convenience centre, play ground etc. The total expenditure of this phase is expected to be approximately Rs. 300 Crores. The funds are to be arranged through various agencies of Government and other sources on the acquisition/transfer of the said land in favour of the University.
University hopefully expects to achieve the above infrastructure developments in the next one decade.
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