Professor (Dr.) Ranbir Singh
Distinguished Professor
Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh is the former and founder Vice-Chancellor of National Law University, Delhi established by the Delhi Government in 2008. In just a short span of 12 years he has steered NLU, Delhi which has been ranked as the 2nd best law school of India in the NIRF – 2018 rankings. It’s the acknowledgement of his administrative and leadership abilities that NLU, Delhi is now recognized not only in India but also at the international level.
With over two decades of experience in heading the law school he carries the aura of a visionary who as an outstanding statesmen and academician shown immense commitment and contribution towards changing the legal education landscape of the country. Prior to his stint in NLU, Delhi, he was the founder Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR, University of Law, established by the Andhra Pradesh Government and had been at its helm since its inception in 1998. Prof. Singh’s acumen took NALSAR to great heights as a well-known premier institution for legal education and research in the country. He has been a Vice-Chancellor for over 20 years now.
Prof. Singh had a long association with Kurukshetra University, first as a student, a Ph.D. scholar and as faculty member in its Department of Law. In 1978, he moved to Maharshi Dayanand University at Rohtak as part of the founding Faculty and continued there till 1996 in various capacities as Professor, Head, Dean and Proctor. On invitation from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore, he served as Professor of Law at NLSIU during 1996-97.
Prof. Singh’s contribution in redesigning legal education in the country has been significant being a member of the Legal Education Committee of the Bar Council of India. His legal writings span the areas of Jurisprudence, Human Rights, Legal Education, Legal Aid, Personal Laws and Justice Education and has more than 50 research publications to his credit. He has edited two publications one on “Human Rights Education, Law and Society” and the other on “Cyber Space and the Law – Issues and Challenges”. He has also authored along with Prof. A. Lakshminath two scholarly publications, one on ‘Fiscal Federalism – Constitutional Conspectus’ and the other on ‘Constitutional Law’. Under his guidance several scholars have been awarded Ph.D. Degrees and his rich teaching/research experience enabled him to visit and participate in several International Conferences and Seminars and present papers in several countries like Australia, Brazil, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, South Africa Cyprus, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Pakistan, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Russia, Germany, South Korea, U.K. and United States of America. He has visited best of law schools in U.K. and USA and interacted with leading legal academics and functionaries of higher judiciary in these countries.
He has association with several national and international organisations in advisory capacities - more important among them being Executive Committee of the National Legal Services Authority, Indian Law Institute, National Police Academy, National Committee in IPR (Confederation of Indian Industries), Indian Society of International Law, Committee of Experts on Law, National Commission for Women, National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, DNA Profiling Advisory Committee (D-PAC), SAARCLAW India Chapter, Commonwealth Legal Education Association. Under his Chairmanship a Committee with the assistance of ILO, Regional Office prepared a draft bill for the “Abolition of the Child Labour” and submitted to the State Government. He served as a member of the DNA Profiling Advisory Committee constituted by the Department of Bio-technology, Government of India to recommend a draft legislation for enactment by the Parliament. Related to this he also served as Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Legal Issues and prepared the DNA Profiling Bill. He was also a member of the Shri Soli Sorabjee Committee appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, to draft the New Police Act which was submitted to the Ministry. He is also interested in issues like Corporate Law and Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility.
He has also been a part of the high level delegation which presented India’s National Report on Human Rights in the third Universal Periodic Review at United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland held in May, 2017. Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh prepared the India’s National Report for the First UPR, while he was the Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad and the Second and Third UPR has also been prepared by Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh at NLUD on behalf of MEA and Govt. of India.
He has been Member of; a) All India Council of Technical Education, New Delhi; b) Governing Body of the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi; c) National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad; d) Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla.
He is a Member of the Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs. He is a Member of the Advisory Board and Executive Council of Maharashtra National Law University. He was also a Member of Sectoral Innovation Council on IPR, constituted by DIPP, Min. of Commerce, GOI. He was a Member of National Committee to administer the “Rajiv Gandhi Advocate’s Training Scheme” constituted by Ministry of Law and Justice, Govt. of India. He was a Member (part-time) of The 19th Law Commission of India. He was a member of Committee for Consultations on the situation in Andhra Pradesh. He is the Visitor’s nominee in the Academic Council of the Indian Law Institute, New Delhi. He has been the Vice-President and President of Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, Delhi.
Prof. Singh has been the recipient of many awards in recognition of accomplishments, both, as an administrator and teacher / researcher and some of them are:
Symbiosis-IALS (International Association of Law Schools, USA) Lifetime Achievement Award: For excellence in legal and justice education during the 2017 Global Law Dean’s Forum.
Life Time Achievement Award: In recognition of the exemplary contribution towards Legal Education by Dr. N. M. Veeraiyan, Chancellor, Saveetha University.
Karmayogi Samman: Haryana Institute of Fine Arts, by Shri Kuldeep Sharma, Speaker, Haryana Legislative Assembly.
"Professor N.R. Madhava Menon Best Law Teacher Award 2011" by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Altamas Kabir, Judge, Supreme Court of India.
Lex Witness recognized him in the “Hall of fame: Top 50”, as an individual who have helped shape the legal landscape of modern India.
"Alumnus of Distinction" at the Golden Jubilee Commemorative Special Convocation of Kurukshetra University, 2007, by His Excellency, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India.
"Excellence Award 1998": Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, by Governor of Haryana.
Educationist of the Year – Metro-Vision, 3rd Annual Media Awards – 2005.
The British Council had portrayed him as one of the 12 talented, creative and generous spirits who are making an effort personally and through their institution to ensure their engagement with the U.K, works to mutual benefit.
His services to Legal Education has been acknowledged and commemorated by many institutions and educational bodies.
E-mail : ranbirsingh2107@gmail.com