Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law - RGNUL - Patiala (Punjab)

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab, was established by the State Legislature of Punjab by passing the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab Act, 2006 (Punjab Act No. 12 of 2006). The Act incorporated a University of Law of national stature in Punjab, thereby fulfilling the need for a Centre of Excellence in legal education in the modern era of globalization and liberalization. RGNUL started functioning from its Headquarters-Mohindra  Kothi, The Mall, Patiala w.e.f. 26 May 2006. The University acquired approval of the Bar Council of India (BCI) in July 2006. The University also got registered with the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi under Section 2(f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 and has been declared fit to obtain grant from the (UGC) under Section 12-B of the UGC Act, 1956.

RGNUL was functioning from a heritage building of the erstwhile Patiala State, that is, Mohindra Kothi, The Mall, Patiala (from 2006 to 2013) located in the heart of Patiala city in a pollution free environment. The main campus of the University is at Sidhuwal, Bhadson Road, Patiala in an area of 50 Acres of land. The state-of-the-art Campus has an Administrative-cum-Academic Block, separate spacious Library Building, Auditorium, Sports Complex, Boys and Girls Hostels, Guest House, Community Hall, Health Centre, Residences, Stadium and other facilities. The construction and furnishing of Hostels is complete and all RGNUL Boys and Girls students are residing at the new Campus with modern amenities including air conditioning of each room. Faculty members are also residing in their apartments at the New Campus.

Presently housed in “Academic Block” of the university, the air conditioned university library is an example of excellence. With world class library services and rich collection of books and journals, this computerized Wi-Fi library has on its shelves more than 28,000 volumes which include a comprehensive array of legal resources in both print and electronic formats. In addition  126 periodicals are subscribed too.

The University has also set up Centre for Advanced Study in Criminal Law (CASCL);; Centre for Consumer Protection Law and Advocacy (CCPLA); Centre for Advanced Study in International Humanitarian Law (CASH); School of Agricultural Law and Economics (SALE); RGNUL Institute for Competitive Examination (RICE); Bureau of Information for Study Abroad (BISA) and Directorate of Distance Education (DODE). The objective of these Centres is to undertake advanced study and research in the emerging areas of the respective fields, independently or in collaboration with professional institutions at the national or international levels; to bring about publications and produce study material in the respective fields of knowledge; organize seminars, workshops and conferences on contemporary and significant issues. Besides, these there is an IGNOU School of Law functioning from Mohindra Kothi, the Mall, Patiala. The University has set up a Legal Aid Clinic under the aegis of Punjab Legal Services Authority. The University has also set up the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) as per UGC guidelines.

The RGNUL Legal Aid Clinic was established in 2011, since then it has a Strong Paralegal Volunteer Force of 110 members consisting of Advocates, Faculty members and students in general. In the Academic Year 2013-2014 the RGNUL Legal Aid Clinic undertook many activities and projects to further its cause of Legal Awareness amongst the masses.

RGNUL is also a member of a number of professional organizations of national and international stature like the Asian Law Institute (ASLI), Singapore; Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA); Forum of South Asian Clinical Law Teachers (FSACLT), Goa; Indian Economic Association (IEA); Indian Institute of Comparative Law (IICL), Jaipur; Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi; Indian Law Institute (ILI), New Delhi; Indian Political Science Association (IPSA); Indian Society of Criminology (ISC), Madras; Indian Society of International Law (ISIL), New Delhi; Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies (ICPS), New Delhi; International Association of Law Schools (IALS), and International Law Students Association (ILSA), United States of America, Legal Information Institute of India (LII of India), Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI).

Their endeavour is to serve the society through reforms in legal services by way of preparing professionally competent lawyers, inquisitive researchers, able administrators,conscientious judicial officers, and above all, socially responsible citizens,who shall be whole- heartedly and continuously engaged in the process of nation building . . .