National Law Scholars Programme (NLSP) [Prelims Bits]

17 Sep 2026

Tags: Prelims   Current events of national and international importance

Source: The Indian Express

  • Context: National Law Scholars Programme (NLSP) is a fully funded residential initiative that identifies talented students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), primarily from rural backgrounds, and prepares them for Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) and law-school education.
  • Started: 2019
  • Collaboration: Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and its alumnus Anoop Maurya.
  • Duration: 2 years; fully funded residential programme.
  • Selection: Outreach across 600+ JNVs; written examinations + interview assessing aptitude, potential, background and inclination.
  • Intake: About 30 students annually.
  • Location: Programme campus currently in Hyderabad; students attend the local JNV and coaching classes.
  • Support: Coaching, regular schooling, mentoring, leadership workshops and financial assistance for law-school education, including tuition fees.
  • Activities: Debates, mock parliaments and discussions on contemporary issues to develop communication and leadership skills.
  • Outcomes: Around 150 scholars selected over seven years. 120 completed the two-year residential programme and entered law schools. 84 are still pursuing law, including 54 at National Law Universities (NLUs).
  • Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) are co-educational, residential schools under the Ministry of Education, primarily serving talented children from rural areas.
  • Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) administers JNVs and functions under the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
  • CLAT is a major entrance examination for undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes offered by participating National Law Universities.

Prelims Question

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs):

  1. JNVs are co-educational residential schools administered by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.
  2. JNVs primarily seek to provide quality education to talented children, particularly from rural areas.
  3. The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti functions under the Department of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education.
  4. The National Law Scholars Programme is an initiative that uses the JNV network to identify and nurture students for legal education.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct: JNVs are co-educational, residential schools administered by NVS.
  • Statement 2 is correct: They primarily cater to talented students, with a particular focus on children from rural areas.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: NVS functions under the Department of School Education and Literacy, not the Department of Higher Education.
  • Statement 4 is correct: NLSP leverages the JNV network to identify talented students and prepare them for CLAT and subsequent legal education.