Centre for Law and Policy Research

This World Social Justice Day, CLPR will conduct a workshop on Indian Constitutional History at Vidyashilp University, Bengaluru on 20th February, for students from diverse disciplines including law and liberal arts.

Led by Vineeth Krishna, Senior Research Associate and Editor at CLPR's Constitiutionofindia.net, the session will explore the foundational strands of Indian constitutional thought, and why social justice was always at its core.

Meet Roshni Joanna Ross
(pronouns - She/They)

Roshni joins us as a Project Manager. She will be managing CLPR's Constitution Defenders Fellowship.

"I see the Constitution as a living document that comes alive in people’s everyday lives. CLPR’s vision of making the Constitution work for everybody reflects my belief that law cannot be top-down, but must be shaped through communities and people’s movements, especially those historically excluded."

Her interests include science fiction literature and movies, birdwatching, and swimming.

To know more about the CLPR Team, their backgrounds and previous experience, head to our website: clpr.org.in/our-team/

Fellowship Update:

With 14 Fellows from the five southern states announced, the Constitution Defenders Fellowship will begin in February.
We have received over 120 applications from the rest of India, and the shortlisting process for these Fellowship seats is currently underway.

For further updates, stay tuned!

This Republic Day, CLPR is proud to announce the cohort for the Constitution Defenders Fellowship (2026–28).

Fourteen lawyers from five southern states will begin their fellowship journey with us in 2026.

The selection process for fellowship seats for candidates from the rest of India is still underway.

Further announcements coming soon. Stay tuned!

What happens when rights are recognised, but equality is still out of reach?
Edited by Jayna Kothari, Executive Director at CLPR, Transforming Rights brings together twelve essays by scholars, activists, lawyers and community members to explore how law intersects with exclusion, dignity, autonomy, and access to education, healthcare, work and shelter for transgender communities. Published by Westland Books as part of the Q***r Directions series curated by the Godrej DEI Lab.

We are grateful to all the contributors whose work and insights made this volume possible: Svati P. Shah, Mihir Rajamane, Vibha Swaminathan, Dr Aqsa Shaikh, Raghavi Shukla, Dr Chayanika Shah, Dr Siddharth Swaminathan, S.V.D. Chandrashekhar (Chand), Avinaba Dutta (Avi), Sayantan Datta, Arvind Narrain, Santa Khurai, Vyjayanti Vasanta Mogli, Grace Banu, Diti, and Vihaan Vee.

On 18 January, CLPR hosted the final jury interview round for the Constitution Defenders Fellowship (2026-28) selection process, with 32 shortlisted candidates from across South India.

The jury comprised a panel of eminent experts, including Gayatri Singh, Senior Advocate, Bombay High Court; Dr Anup Surendranath, Executive Director, Project 39A; Anil Ramaprasad, Project Head – Access to Justice, Azim Premji Foundation; Prof. (Dr) Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Managing Trustee, CLPR; and Jayna Kothari, Senior Advocate and Executive Director, CLPR.

The shortlisting process for the National fellows is ongoing. Further updates on the Constitution Defenders Fellowship (2026–28) selection process will be shared soon.

Stay tuned!

We received over 240 applications from early-career lawyers across the country, reflecting sustained interest in rights-based litigation and constitutional practice.

All applications are being reviewed as part of a structured selection process. Applicants will be informed of the outcome by email soon.

We thank all applicants for their time and interest in the Fellowship.

Stay tuned!

HAPPENING TODAY

Join us for a conversation with Justice Zak Yacoob at Bangalore International Centre today at 6pm.

RSVP link: tinyurl.com/RSVP-6Jan/

Date: 6th January, 2026
Time: 6 pm
Venue: The Library, Bangalore International Centre

Join us for a conversation with Justice Zak Yacoob at Bangalore International Centre tomorrow 6th Jan at 6pm.

RSVP Link: tinyurl.com/RSVP-6Jan/

Date: 6th January, 2026
Time: 6 pm
Venue: The Library, Bangalore International Centre

In Conversation with Justice Zak Yacoob
The Role of Law in Affecting Social Change

Justice Zak Yacoob served as a Judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa from 1998 to 2013. His work as a judge and anti-apartheid activist has been central to advancing socio-economic rights, substantive equality, disability justice, and transformative constitutionalism.

🗓 6 January | 🕕 6:00 PM
📍 The Library, Bangalore International Centre, Bengaluru
🔗 RSVP: tinyurl.com/RSVP-6Jan/

📢 We’re hiring!

The Centre for Law and Policy Research (CLPR) is looking for a Director of Research to join our team in Bengaluru or New Delhi.

This is a full-time, in-person position for those passionate about working on issues of equality and inclusion.

To know more: clpr.org.in/blog/hiring-director-of-research/

HAPPENING TODAY

Online Consultation on the Karnataka Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Employment and Education Bill, 2025

Join us for this important discussion on reservations for persons with disabilities in education and employment in the private sector in Karnataka.

Date: 18 December 2025 (TODAY)
Time: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Where: Online on Zoom

Join Meeting Here: tinyurl.com/jzm-18dec/

The meeting will be conducted in English and Closed Captions will be provided. An ISL interpreter will also be present.