Essay Writing Competition | 3rd Ram Balak Mahto Memorial National Essay Competition – 2025 | Register by 10th Jan 2026

Essay Writing Competition | 3rd Ram Balak Mahto Memorial National Essay Competition – 2025 | Register by 10th Jan 2026

About Late Shri Ram Balak Mahto (1926-2020):

Late Shri Ram Balak Mahto was one of Bihar’s foremost legal luminaries and the longest-serving Advocate General of the State, having held the office six times across nearly sixteen years of public service.

Born in Aunta village (Mokama subdivision) on 27 January 1926 into an agrarian family, his journey from the banks of the Ganga to the Bar of the Patna High Court stands as a testament to perseverance, integrity, and devotion to justice.

During his early student years he participated in the freedom movement, disrupting British trade at Mokama Ghat while still in school. After graduating from Bihar National College and Patna Law College, he joined the profession in 1955 and trained under Sri Lal Narayan Sinha, who later became the Attorney General of India.

As Advocate General, Shri Mahto served under six Chief Ministers and earned the respect of Bench and Bar alike for his clarity of thought, erudition, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law. Beyond his legal career, he was closely associated with institutions such as the Mahavir Cancer Hospital Ramakrishna Mission, and International Yoga Satsanga, reflecting his belief that service to humanity is the highest expression of justice.

The Foundation continues his legacy of constitutional wisdom and public service through scholarship, dialogue, and youth engagement.

About the Memorial Essay Competition:

Instituted in his honour, the Ram Balak Mahto Memorial National Essay Competition is an intellectual platform for students to engage with India’s living Constitution and its transformative promise. Each edition seeks to nurture reflection, research, and rigour among young thinkers on issues that define the Republic’s constitutional ethos.

After the first edition (2021) explored the need for constitutional transformation and the second (2023) examined emerging perspectives in constitutional interpretation, the third edition for 2025 continues this journey towards the moral core of the Constitution — Justice.

Theme Note 2025:

“The Idea of Justice: Constitutional Morality and Social Transformation”

The Constitution of India is not merely a legal instrument but a moral charter that aspires to reshape society upon the foundations of justice. Over the decades, the courts have invoked “constitutional morality” to interpret this document as a living expression of human dignity and equality.

Yet, the quest for justice remains unfinished. Social hierarchies, economic inequalities, and cultural prejudices continue to test the transformative vision of the Constitution. This theme invites participants to reflect on whether constitutional morality still guides India’s public life and whether justice today is a realised ideal or an evolving pursuit.

Essays may examine the idea of justice through doctrinal, philosophical, or comparative lenses — from the Kesavananda Bharati and Puttaswamy judgments to contemporary debates on equality, liberty, and social change. Writers are encouraged to explore how law can remain a moral instrument for transformative justice in the 21st century.

Rules & Guidelines:

Eligibility:

• The Competition is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in any recognised university or college in India. Students from law, social sciences, public policy, and related disciplines are eligible to participate. 
• There is no registration fee.

Submission Guidelines:

• Essays must be submitted in English in Microsoft Word format (.doc /.docx).
• Co-authorship is permitted for up to two authors. 
• Word limit: 2,500–3,000 words (excluding footnotes). 
• Font: Times New Roman | Size 12 | Line Spacing 1.5 | Margins 1 inch.
• Footnotes: Times New Roman | Size 10 | Single spacing | Bluebook (20th ed.) citation style.
• Plagiarism limit: maximum 15 percent (excluding footnotes). 
• Each entry must include an abstract of not more than 250 words. 
• The essay must be original and unpublished. Any form of identification within the manuscript will lead to disqualification.
• For Detailed Rules and Guidelines for the Competition kindly refer:

Submission Process:

• Register & Upload: Participants shall submit their entries through the official Google Form link (available via QR code on the brochure and website).
• Email Acknowledgement: Each submission will receive an auto-generated confirmation email.
• File Naming:  RBM2025_<Participant Name>
• Contact Email: rambalakmahtofoundation@gmail.com

Evaluation Process:

All submissions will undergo a two-stage evaluation:

• Preliminary Screening: By a panel of academicians and practising advocates. 
• Final Judging: By a distinguished jury comprising Hon’ble (Former) High Court Judges and Senior Advocates of the Supreme Court of India.

Essays will be judged on originality, clarity of argument, depth of research, and quality of expression.

Prizes & Recognition:

• Winner: The Lal Narayan Sinha Gold Medal for Best Essay + ₹10,000 + Internship with a Senior Advocate or Sitting Judge
• Runner-Up: ₹5,000 + Internship Opportunity + Certificate of Distinction
• Top 5 Essays: Certificates of Merit
• All Participants: E-Certificate of Participation (issued digitally)

Important Dates:

Competition Announcement & Registrations Open: 30th November 2025

Registration Closes & Submission Deadline: 10th January 2026

Results & Virtual Award Ceremony: 27th January 2026

Contact Details:

• In case of any query kindly contact through email provided herein: rambalakmahtofoundation@gmail.com

For More Information:

#NationalEssayWritingCompetition #3rdRamBalakMahtoMemorialNationalEssayCompetition2025 #LawStudents #EssayWriting #LawOpportunity #RamBalakMahtoFoundation

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