From a single idea to a national revolution - how IDIA came to life. Part 1 of our tribute to Prof. Shamnad Basheer. @shishirar @MistrySabah

Mentorship is a key part of IDIA’s work, helping Scholars from disadvantaged backgrounds navigate the professional world and make informed career decisions. Through the IDIA (Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education) Professional Mentorship Programme 2026–27, working professionals can guide Scholars as they build their careers in law. What does a mentor do? •⁠ ⁠Help Scholars identify their strengths and explore career options. •⁠ ⁠Guide them in finding internships and preparing for interviews. •⁠ ⁠Listen, offer advice and encourage them to make their own decisions and find solutions. How are mentors matched with Scholars? •⁠ ⁠IDIA tries to match mentors and Scholars in the same city, wherever possible, so they can meet in person. •⁠ ⁠Shared interests or regional backgrounds are also considered. Application deadline: 10 November 2026 Application Link: forms.gle/qtcNsYo2BZsYzMuq9 For queries, contact: abhishek@idialaw.org | kirtikar@idialaw.org Your professional experience can help an IDIA Scholar navigate career decisions and grow with confidence. #IDIA #ProfessionalMentorship #MentorshipProgramme #LegalEducation #AccessToLegalEducation

Through recent Law For All drives in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, IDIA’s (Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education) student volunteers engaged 1,461 students, introducing them to legal reasoning, careers in law and the opportunities available to pursue them. With chapters and volunteers working across regions, each drive is part of IDIA’s wider effort to make legal education more accessible through awareness, guidance and continued support. Follow IDIA to keep up with our chapters, meet our volunteers and see Law For All reach more classrooms across India. #IDIA #DiversityInLaw #LawForAll #Shivpuri #WestBengal

The most important thing a classroom can give a student is a chance to ask a question they did not know who to ask. What does a lawyer actually do? What is a National Law University (NLU)? What happens after Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)? Can I become an advocate? Where can a law degree take me? These questions are often the beginning of a much bigger conversation about careers, interests and possibilities. Through Law For All, IDIA (Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education) creates that space in schools across India, bringing students closer to the legal profession before they have to make decisions about what comes next. The discussion at BMC Public School was one small example of that, and we are excited to take many more such conversations into classrooms across India. #IDIA #DiversityInLaw #LawForAll #LegalEducation #Maharashtra

There is a difference between telling students that a career in law is possible and giving them the chance to actually understand what that path involves. That is what Law For All is designed to do. During the IDIA (Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education) Haryana Chapter’s Sonipat outreach, students asked about college admissions, (Common Law Admission Test) CLAT and the different routes into legal education. Forty-five students went on to take the (IDIA National Aptitude Test) INAT. For IDIA, these sessions are an important part of the work because access does not begin when a student applies to law school. It begins much earlier, with information, guidance and the opportunity to explore whether law is the right path for them. Follow IDIA to see where Law For All goes next. #IDIA #DiversityInLaw #LawForAll #LegalEducation #Haryana

For Anjali Akhilesh Jaiswal, volunteering with IDIA’s (Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education) Maharashtra Chapter and travelling to Latur offered a perspective she would not have found within the confines of city life. Meeting students who were just as curious and enthusiastic as she was made her see something more clearly: talent exists everywhere, but access to opportunities does not always follow. We’re glad to have Anjali as part of IDIA’s volunteer network, taking Law For All beyond the familiar and into classrooms where these dialogues matter. Thank you, Anjali, for your passion, perspective, and dedication to being part of the change! #IDIA #VolunteerSpotlight #MaharashtraChapter #LawForAll #LegalEducation

There is a difference between knowing that law is a career and understanding what a career in law actually feels like. That gap is often filled by information students pick up informally, from family, friends, teachers or people they already know in the profession. Law For All brings those conversations directly to students, giving them a clearer understanding of the opportunities and pathways within legal education. It is one part of how IDIA (Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education) works to make legal education more accessible, reaching more students, schools and communities across India. Follow IDIA to stay connected with the work. #IDIA #DiversityInLaw #LawForAll #LegalEducation #Gujarat

The 2nd Annual IDIA Karnataka– @KhaitanCo . Competition 2026 received a strong response, with 300+ registrations and over ₹1.2 lakh raised in support of IDIA’s work towards increasing diversity and access to legal education. This year’s submissions reflected a high standard of legal scholarship, with participants bringing thoughtful perspectives, research and genuine interest to the competition. Congratulations to all our top-ranked participants, and a sincere thank you to everyone who took the time to participate and make the competition a success. We are also grateful to Khaitan & Co. for their continued support and collaboration. Partnerships like these help strengthen IDIA’s efforts to build greater diversity and access within legal education. #IDIA #KhaitanAndCo #LegalEducation #DiversityInLaw #LegalScholarship

The early years of litigation are often where guidance matters most. Through the IDIA (Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education) Litigation Fellowship for Young Lawyers, the Sikkim cohort had the opportunity to learn from judges, senior advocates and practitioners while strengthening the practical skills and perspectives that shape everyday legal practice. For the young advocates who participated, the orientation became a space to learn, question and think more deeply about the careers they are building. What the orientation meant to the fellows is best captured in their own words. Through the Litigation Fellowship, IDIA hopes to give young advocates not just training, but the guidance and professional support they need as they find their footing in litigation. Watch this space for more voices from the fellowship. Please note: Applications for the 2026 cohort are now closed, and we are not accepting any new fellows this year. #IDIA #DiversityInLaw #LawForAll #LegalEducation #Sikkim

IMPORTANT DATE UPDATE 📢 The NALSAR CLAT Bootcamp, organised by NALSAR University of Law in collaboration with IDIA Hyderabad Chapter, has been rescheduled to Sunday, 11th October 2026. Join us at the NALSAR campus for a Topper’s Talk followed by a full-length CLAT-pattern mock test to help students assess where they truly stand. 📅 Date: Sunday, 11th October 2026 📍 Venue: NALSAR University of Law #IDIA #Bootcamp #LegalEducation #Law

IDIA Odisha Chapter brings you: “Navigating Law” – National Legal Careers Bootcamp. Join us on 26th and 27th of September, 2026, for complete guidance on available careers in the law field. Event Details- Date: 26th and 27th September, 2026 Time: 4:30 PM- 6:30 PM Mode: Online Registration Fees- Early Bird Registrations - ₹350 (till 22nd September, 2026) Regular Registrations- ₹499 (till 25th September 2026) IDIA Scholars and Trainees- Free of Cost All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation issued by IDIA Odisha Register Now: docs.google.com/forms/d/1LyK… For queries: idiaodisha@nluo.ac.in #IDIA #DiversityInLaw #LawForAll #LegalEducation #LawStudents

We are pleased to announce the results of the 3rd IDIA-IC RegFin Legal Essay Writing Competition, 2026, organised in collaboration with the NLUJ Law Review. The competition received an overwhelming response, with over 300 registrations and over INR 1.1 lakh raised. We are pleased to announce the results of the 3rd IDIA-IC RegFin Legal Essay Writing Competition, 2026, organised in collaboration with the NLUJ Law Review. The competition received an overwhelming response, with over 300 registrations and over INR 1.1 lakh raised. The quality of submissions was exceptional, showcasing the participants' dedication to and passion for legal scholarship. We extend our sincere gratitude to each participant for their valuable contributions, which were instrumental in the competition’s success. We offer our warmest congratulations to the winners and commend all participants for their outstanding efforts. Your enthusiasm and dedication have greatly contributed to our ongoing mission of promoting inclusivity and diversity in legal education. IC RegFin Legal Partners LLP, Advocates & Solicitors NLUJ Law Review - Journal and Blog #IDIA #DiversityInLaw #LawForAll #LegalEducation #LawStudents

A fellowship can provide training. The right mentors can provide perspective. And meaningful exposure can change how a young lawyer approaches their practice. The IDIA (Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education) Litigation Fellowship for Young Lawyers brings these together to support young advocates as they build sustainable careers in litigation. The impact of that experience is best understood through the voices of the young advocates who participated in the fellowship. Watch this space for more voices from the fellowship. Please note: Applications for the 2026 cohort are now closed, and we are not accepting any new fellows this year. #IDIA #DiversityInLaw #LawForAll #LegalEducation #Kerala

A fellowship can provide training. The right mentors can provide perspective. And meaningful exposure can change how a young lawyer approaches their practice. The IDIA (Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education) Litigation Fellowship for Young Lawyers brings these together to support young advocates as they build sustainable careers in litigation. The impact of that experience is best understood through the voices of the young advocates who participated in the fellowship. Watch this space for more voices from the fellowship. #IDIA #DiversityInLaw #LawForAll #LegalEducation #Kerala