In a significant development, Senior Professor Dr. Usha Tandon has assumed the role of the first Vice-Chancellor of the recently established Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University (NLU) in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Dr. Tandon, previously a Senior Professor in the Faculty of Law at the Campus Law Centre, Delhi, where she specialized in teaching environmental law, population law, gender justice, and family law, brings a wealth of experience to her new position.
In her statement to Bar & Bench regarding her new role, Professor Tandon emphasized the broader mission of a law school. She highlighted that it isn’t merely about conferring law degrees but also about nurturing professionals capable of upholding the Rule of Law and Constitutional Values, advocating for social justice, and contributing passionately to the nation’s development.
Dr. Tandon boasts over 30 years of teaching experience and is widely recognized for her research contributions in human development, with a specific focus on environmental protection and women’s empowerment. She has authored and edited numerous books covering various facets of law, including Energy Law (Oxford University Press), Biodiversity Law (Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group), Climate Change (Eastern Book Company), Gender Justice (Regal Publications), and Human Trafficking Law (Central Law Agency). Her extensive body of work includes over 50 research papers published in various international and national journals.
The establishment of the National Law University in Prayagraj received approval from the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on July 29, 2020. Subsequently, the ‘Uttar Pradesh National Law University Prayagraj Act, 2020’ was enacted by the Uttar Pradesh Legislature during the same year.
On December 3, 2021, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath officially announced that the NLU, located in Deoghat, Jhalwa in Prayagraj, would be named in honor of India’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. This decision was made as part of celebrations commemorating the birth anniversary of Rajendra Prasad, signifying the institution’s dedication to the legacy of this eminent figure.
Dr. Usha Tandon’s appointment as the inaugural Vice-Chancellor underscores the university’s commitment to academic excellence and its mission to produce legal professionals dedicated to upholding justice and constitutional values.