Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow | National-Level Symposium

CONCEPT NOTE OF SYMPOSIUM

The Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow is organizing a Symposium on the theme “Digital Inclusion in the New Criminal Laws: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; and The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.” This academic initiative seeks to provide a platform for faculty members and research scholars from across the nation to deliberate upon the far-reaching reforms introduced through the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS); the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS); and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA). These legislations, which have replaced the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, represent a momentous shift from a colonial-era legal framework to one that is intended to reflect the needs, aspirations, and technological realities of contemporary India.

While presenting these laws in Parliament, the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, emphasized the transformative vision behind them. He highlighted that these reforms were framed to create a legal system “for the protection of the rights of the people of India, not for protecting rulers.” He further underlined that the central objective of the new framework is to ensure “justice instead of punishment.” Importantly, Shri Amit Shah stressed the role of technology as the backbone of these reforms. According to him, “from registration of FIRs to filing of charge-sheets, from summons to trial, every stage of investigation and justice delivery must be supported by digital systems.” He further noted that the use of forensic science, electronic records, and digital evidence would strengthen the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of the justice delivery system. His speech placed the idea of digital inclusion at the heart of the criminal justice reforms, signaling the government’s intent to build a modern and technology-driven framework of justice. The concept of digital inclusion in the context of these new legislations involves more than the mere adoption of technology. It refers to the broader process of ensuring that all stakeholders- courts, law enforcement, lawyers, victims, and accused persons benefit from digital processes in a fair and equitable manner. This includes enabling easier access to justice, reducing procedural delays, enhancing transparency in investigation and trial, and making justice delivery citizen- friendly. At the same time, digital inclusion also brings challenges, such as safeguarding privacy, ensuring data security, preventing misuse of technology, and bridging the digital divide.

In this backdrop, the proposed symposium aims to bring together distinguished academics, faculty members, and research scholars to critically analyze the implications of these laws. It will be structured into three technical sessions, each focusing on one of the new legislations BNS, BNSS,

and BSA where keynote speakers will provide expert insights, followed by paper presentations and discussions. The deliberations are expected to highlight both the opportunities and the challenges of integrating digital tools into the criminal justice system.

The symposium ultimately seeks to encourage scholarly dialogue, interdisciplinary exchange, and collaborative research that align with the vision articulated by Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Amit Shah. By fostering academic engagement on the theme of digital inclusion, the symposium will contribute towards strengthening India’s justice delivery system in a manner that is not only technologically advanced but also inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Established in 1920—1921, the University of Lucknow is one of the oldest and most prestigious state universities in India. It began with three institutions as its nucleus—Canning College, Isabella Thoburn College, and what later became King George’s Medical College—and has since evolved into a leading centre of higher learning. The University presently operates from two campuses: the main campus at Hasanganj (University Road) and the second campus at Jankipuram.

As a teaching, residential, and affiliating university, it has more than 556 affiliated colleges and offers diverse academic programmes through 11 faculties, 51 departments, and 16 institutes and centres. With nearly 20,000 students, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral scholars, it is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) with Category-I status.

The University has been accredited with an A++ grade by NAAC and consistently ranks among India’s top institutions. In the NIRF 2025 Rankings, it stood 98th among universities and 29th in the Law category, following its debut in the Top 100 in 2024. In the IIRF 2025 Rankings, it was placed 5th among state universities in urban areas.

Spread across 219 acres with modern infrastructure and advanced research facilities, the University maintains diversity with a balanced gender ratio and increasing international participation. Over the decades, it has nurtured generations of leaders, scholars, jurists, and professionals who have significantly contributed to India and the world.

ABOUT FACULTY OF LAW

The Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow, established in 1921, is among the pioneers of legal education in India. Mr. Jag Mohan Nath Chak served as its first Dean, while Prof. R.U. Singh, regarded as the true architect, systematically organised teaching and research and remained Dean until 1956. He also structured the Law Faculties of Delhi University and Banaras Hindu University and drafted the Constitution of Nepal.

The Faculty has produced eminent scholars and leaders. Dr. V.N. Shukla, the first LL.M. and a renowned authority on Constitutional Law, authored the classic volume on the Indian Constitution. Mr. A.T. Markose, the first LL.D., later became Director of the Indian Law Institute and a member of the International Court of Justice’s Administrative Tribunal. Distinguished alumni include Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, former President of India, Shri Ram Krishna Hegde, Mr. Sujeet Singh Barnala, Mr. N.K.P. Salve, and eminent judges such as Justice Dr. A.S. Anand, former Chief Justice of India.

With 41 permanent faculty members, the institution offers LL.B. (Three-Year), LL.B. (Hons.) Five-Year, LL.M., Ph.D., and LL.D. programmes. It organises the Dr. V.N. Shukla Memorial Lecture series and has hosted refresher courses. Students have excelled in national and international moot courts, including the Willem C. Vis Arbitration Moot (Vienna, 2025), and organised a Model UN in 2025. Graduates are placed in leading firms, corporations, and judicial services, with many pursuing advanced studies at Yale, Cambridge, etc.

RECENT RANKINGS AND RECOGNITION

• In the NIRF 2025 Law Rankings, the Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow, secured the 29th position nationally, reaffirming its place among India’s top law schools.

• Within Uttar Pradesh, it consistently ranks among the top 4 law faculties.

• In the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2025, the Faculty made a remarkable leap from 32nd to 25th place among law colleges in India.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SYMPOSIUM

• To understand and analyze the key provisions of BNS, BNSS, and BSA in the light of digital inclusion.

• To deliberate upon the practical challenges and opportunities in implementing these laws.

• To foster academic dialogue among faculty and research scholars for future legal research and policy development.

• To provide a platform for scholarly exchange and network building among academicians.

SESSIONS & KEYNOTE EXPERTS

The symposium will be organized into three focused sessions:

1. Session I: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023

   • Keynote Speaker: Prof. (Dr.) R. K. Verma, Head & Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow.

2. Session II: The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023

   • Keynote Speaker: Prof. (Dr.) R. K. Singh, Director, Second Campus, University of Lucknow.

3. Session III: The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023

   • Keynote Speaker: Prof. (Dr.) Anurag Kumar Srivastava, Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

The Organizing Committee invites abstract submissions from research scholars and faculty members from across the nation. Selected abstracts will be presented in the above respective sessions of the Symposium.

• Abstract Word Limit: 250-300 words

• Keywords: 5

• Times New Roman (English) or Kruti Dev (Hindi),

• Font size 12 & line spacing 1.5.

• Theme: Digital Inclusion in the New Criminal Laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA)

• Last Date of Submission: November 05, 2025

• Mode of Submission: By email with abstract and cover letter stating the name and affiliation of participants on following email id- lawfacultyevents@lkouniv.ac.in

• NOTE:

  1. No online registration or abstract submission shall be entertained after the last date of registration.

  2. There is no language barrier for Abstract Submission and Round Table Discussion. Hindi will be preferred.

STEP-BY-STEP REGISTRATION PROCESS

Participation in the symposium is strictly limited to 100 research scholars and faculty members to ensure meaningful academic dialogue.

1. Interested participants are required to submit an abstract (as per the guidelines mentioned in the Call for Abstracts).

2. Upon acceptance of abstract, participants will be sent a confirmation mail with a registration link for form. Preference will be given to Faculty Members in the selection process.

3. Registration fee is to be paid only after Abstract Confirmation.

4. The final selection of participants will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis, subject to the maximum number of 100 seats available.

   • Registration Fee: Rs. 500 for Academicians/Faculty Members and 400 For Research Scholars. Registration fee is inclusive of Kit and Lunch.

   • Mode of Registration: Upon acceptance of abstract, participants will be sent a confirmation mail with a registration link for form.

   • Participation Certificate: All registered participants will receive a Certificate of Participation and softcopy of souvenir of symposium.

   • Mode of Payment:

     • Via UPI at: 8726846078@jupiteraxis

     • Or through Paytm, PhonePe, Or Google Pay at 8726846078 (Prashant Kumar Chauhan)

   DATE, TIME, VENUE

   Date: 15 November, 2025

   TIME: 1O AM ONWARDS

   VENUE: Placement Cell Meeting Hall, Faculty of Engineering, Second Campus, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, U.P.

   CONTACT DETAILS

   FOR SYMPOSIUM RELATED QUERIES-

   Anchal Verma- 9569231559

   Shivangi Singh- 7395011774 Prashant Kr. Chauhan- 8726846078 Dr. Ugrasen Verma- 9616663333 Email –lawfacultyevents@lkouniv.ac.in

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