Around 200 students from 19 schools argued a constitutional case across three rounds at The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, sharpening their research, advocacy and courtroom skills
Hyderabad, October 13, 2026: Students from 18 schools stepped into the courtroom at the 2nd National Inter-School Moot Court Competition, organised by BML Munjal University in collaboration with The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, as ‘Knowledge Partner’. They took on a question at the centre of India’s digital future: where does the State’s use of AI-powered surveillance end, and where do citizens’ rights to privacy and liberty begin?
Around 200 students took part in the competition, which unfolded over three stages: the preliminary rounds, the semi-finals and the finals. At each stage, teams researched the issues, built written and oral arguments, and defended them before a bench of law faculty.
At the end of the final round, PAGE Junior College – Banjara Hills took the top honour. PAGE Junior College, Kompally finished as the first runner-up, followed by The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet as the second runners-up.
The moot problem was set in a fictional republic modelled on India’s Constitution and asked participants to examine AI-enabled surveillance, privacy and civil liberties. Teams argued issues under Articles 14, 19 and 21, including algorithmic accountability and state surveillance. The format reflects BMU’s focus on experiential learning, giving school students early exposure to courtroom practice.
Arguments were heard by five faculty members from BMU’s School of Law: Prof. Abhishek Mishra, Prof. Maitrey Singh, Prof. Pankhuri Agrawal, Prof. Shardool Kulkarni and Prof. Syed Ali Akhtar. They scored teams on the depth of their research, clarity of articulation, interpretation of the law and how well they handled questions from the bench.
Mathew John, Dean, School of Law, BML Munjal University, said, “My colleagues at the School of Law posed a challenging and topical question to the participating students: how far may the State extend its surveillance over citizens using the technologies that AI now makes available? I understand the teams took up the problem with care and passion. I thank my colleagues who framed the problem and heard the arguments, The Hyderabad Public School for partnering with us, and all the students who took part so enthusiastically.”
Speaking about hosting the event, Dr. Skand Bali, Principal, The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, said, “The moot court gave students a platform to research, reason and present their arguments with clarity and composure, while learning the value of precision and respectful advocacy. Opportunities like this reflect our commitment to experiential learning and to developing skills that extend beyond the classroom. I thank the mentors and teacher-coordinators for their guidance, and congratulate every participant on their enthusiasm and preparation.”
BMU has run the National Inter-School Moot Court Competition since January 2023 as a platform that introduces school students to legal reasoning and advocacy. The Hyderabad round brought the format to a new set of schools and students.
With AI, data governance and privacy now at the heart of public debate, competitions like this give students an early chance to test their ideas against the law and learn to argue them with care.
About School of Law, BML Munjal University
BML Munjal University’s School of Law is committed to developing ethical, future-ready legal professionals equipped to navigate complex global challenges. The School is distinguished by its world-class faculty, with over 80% holding international qualifications from leading institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, Michigan, LSE, Melbourne, and the University of London. In addition, many faculty members hold undergraduate degrees from India’s top national law schools. With a strong emphasis on experiential learning, international student exchange programmes, and a rich network of global collaborations, BMU School of Law offers a transformative legal education designed to prepare students for meaningful leadership in the legal field.
About BML Munjal University (BMU)
About BML Munjal University (BMU) Named after the late Founder Chairman of the Hero Group, BML Munjal University (BMU) is a not for-profit initiative founded by the promoters of the Hero Group. Established with a vision to transform higher education in India, BMU is committed to creating, preserving, and imparting internationally benchmarked knowledge and skills through a world-class environment for teaching, learning, and research.
At BMU, education goes beyond the classroom. The University is built on the belief that learning must be experiential, relevant, and rooted in real-world application. Through interdisciplinary programmes, industry integration, and a strong focus on innovation, BMU nurtures individuals who are not only academically strong but also equipped to think critically, act responsibly, and lead with purpose. The University offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes, including BA (Hons) Liberal Arts, BBA, BCom (Hons), BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), BBA-MBA Integrated Programme, B.Tech, MBA, LLB, and PhD. Each programme is designed to combine academic depth with practical exposure, enabling students to build skills that matter in a rapidly evolving world. BMU’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its recognitions.
The School of Management has been ranked 72nd among management institutions in India in the NIRF Rankings 2023 and has received the Diamond subject rating by QS I-Gauge. The University has also been ranked #6 nationally and #1 in Haryana among India’s Top Private Engineering & Technology Universities in the Education World India Higher Education Rankings 2023–24 and holds an A-grade accreditation from NAAC.
More than a university, BMU is a space where individuals discover their strengths, shape their perspectives, and prepare for life beyond a degree. It is here that students are encouraged to explore what truly matters to them, so they cannot just choose a course of study, but find what they truly major in life.