The 2nd Edition of the DSNLU Vis Pre-Moot 2026 was conducted from 20th to 22nd February, 2026 at Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU). Notably, it was the only Vis Pre-Moot hosted in India during the 2025 – 2026 cycle. The competition witnessed the participation of 20 teams representing leading law schools across the country.
The Pre-Moot was conceptualised as a platform to simulate the rigour of the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot and to provide participants with substantive and procedural feedback prior to the international rounds.
The event was organised with the support of its Exclusive Knowledge Partner, Jus Mundi, and Media Partner, SCC Times. The competition was further supported by the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Indian Women in International Arbitration (IWIA), the Moot Alumni Association (MAA), #Careers in Arbitration, Union Bank, and Digital Coffee Break.
Day One — 20 February 2026
The competition commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Prof. (Dr.) D. Surya Prakasa Rao, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of DSNLU, and Dr. Viswachandra Nath Madasu, Hon’ble Registrar of DSNLU.
The inaugural session began with an address by Ms. Katyayni Singh, Event Head and Co-Convenor, Centre for Alternate Dispute Resolution (CADR), who welcomed the participants and outlined the vision behind the Pre-Moot. She was followed by Dr. P. Jogi Naidu, Faculty Chairperson, CADR, who highlighted the importance of arbitration advocacy in contemporary legal practice.
The Academic Dean, Dr. Soma Battacharjya, spoke on DSNLU’s expanding academic engagement with international arbitration. The Hon’ble Registrar addressed the gathering thereafter. In his inaugural address, the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor reflected upon the University’s recent strides in strengthening its mooting culture and fostering global academic exposure.
The inaugural ceremony was followed by a session titled “JUS AI from Jus Mundi: How Are Leading Arbitration Firms Adopting AI” delivered by Mr. Arjun Prakash, Director at Jus Mundi. The session examined the integration of artificial intelligence into international arbitration practice, particularly in research workflows, strategic case preparation, and knowledge management. Drawing upon his experience working with law firms, State legal teams, universities, and corporates, Mr. Prakash provided practical perspectives onto how technology is reshaping arbitration practice.
Day One concluded with two Preliminary Rounds, during which teams demonstrated strong research, strategic clarity, and advocacy skills.
Day Two — 21 February 2026
The third Preliminary Round was conducted in the morning.
This was followed by a session titled “The Art of Oral Advocacy” delivered by Dr. Navin G. Ahuja, a distinguished mediator and arbitrator, Co-President of the Moot Alumni Association and Director of Mooting and ADR Competitions at DSNLU. The session focused on persuasive techniques in arbitration, the effective structuring of submissions, and maintaining composure under sustained judicial scrutiny. Drawing from his extensive experience in domestic and international commercial dispute resolution, Dr. Ahuja provided participants with practical insights into refining their oral advocacy.
The fourth and final Preliminary Round was conducted thereafter.
At the conclusion of the day, results were declared, with the following teams advancing to the Semi-Finals:
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O.P. Jindal Global Law School (Vis Vienna Team)
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O.P. Jindal Global Law School (Vis Hong Kong Team)
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Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (Vis Vienna Team)
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Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai (Vis Hong Kong Team)
Day Three — 22 February 2026
Semi-Finals, Final Round and Valedictory Ceremony
The final day commenced with the Semi-Final Rounds. One semi-final witnessed both teams from Jindal Global Law School competing against each other, while the second semi-final featured Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University and Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai.
The Final Round was contested between Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (Vis Vienna Team) and O.P. Jindal Global Law School (Vis Vienna Team).
The Final Round was adjudicated by a distinguished Bench comprising Justice Shri N. Harinath, Judge, High Court of Andhra Pradesh; Dr. Navin G. Ahuja, Co-President, Moot Alumni Association; and Mr. Inbavijayan Veeraraghavan, International Arbitrator and Global Advisor, KFCRI. The round was characterised by rigorous judicial engagement, detailed deliberation on issues of jurisdiction, contractual interpretation, and procedural strategy, and an exceptional standard of advocacy from both finalist teams.
Following careful deliberations, the results were formally announced by Justice Shri N. Harinath at the Valedictory Ceremony.
The Valedictory Ceremony was graced by Justice Shri N. Harinath; Prof. (Dr.) D. Surya Prakasa Rao, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Viswachandra Nath Madasu, Hon’ble Registrar; Dr. Navin G. Ahuja; Mr. Inbavijayan Veeraraghavan; Mr. Ganesh Chandru, Partner, Dua Associates (virtually); and Dr. P. Jogi Naidu, Faculty Chairperson, CADR.
The 2nd DSNLU Vis Pre-Moots’ results were as follows:
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Winners: Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow (Vis Vienna Team)
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Runners-Up: O.P. Jindal Global Law School (Vis Vienna Team)
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Best Team – General Rounds: O.P. Jindal Global Law School (Vis Hong Kong Team)
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Spirit of the Moot Award: NUALS Kochi (entire contingent comprising Vis Vienna and Vis Hong Kong teams)
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Shri K. Ganesa Iyer Best Speaker Award: Nazifa Khateeb, Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai
In his address, Justice Harinath emphasised the importance of sportsmanship and ethical responsibility in advocacy. The Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to the arbitrators, participants, and organising committee for the successful conduct of the second edition. Mr. Inbavijayan Veeraraghavan reflected on the evolving landscape of international arbitration and encouraged participants to approach advocacy with intellectual discipline, clarity of thought, and global awareness.
Mr. Ganesh Chandru, Partner, Dua Associates, who joined virtually, commended the enthusiasm and preparedness demonstrated by the teams throughout the competition and conferred the Shri K. Ganesa Iyer Best Speaker Award, instituted in honour of his grandfather, underscoring the legacy of excellence and professional integrity that the award seeks to recognise. Dr. Ahuja congratulated the finalists and appreciated the overall quality of arguments presented throughout the competition, noting the Pre-Moot’s growing stature within the arbitration community.
The competition reaffirmed DSNLU’s continued engagement with international arbitration and its commitment to fostering excellence in mooting and ADR scholarship. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks, marking the successful culmination of three days of rigorous arbitration advocacy and academic engagement.