
India Legal
Research Foundation
An independent legal research foundation working to strengthen access to justice and the quality of legal practice in India.
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About Us
India Legal Research Foundation (ILRF) is an independent legal research and institutional think tank dedicated to advancing access to justice, legal knowledge, and responsible legal practice.
ILRF's work is rooted in rigorous legal research. We undertake issue-based studies, doctrinal analysis, and strategic legal research on questions of law, governance, and rights, with the objective of strengthening legal understanding and improving the quality of legal engagement in India.
Access to justice is a central concern of the Foundation. Through focused legal aid initiatives, ILRF supports individuals who are economically or socially disadvantaged by providing legal guidance, representation support, and procedural assistance, helping bridge gaps in access to the justice system.
ILRF is equally committed to capacity building within the legal profession. Through fellowships, training programmes, and research-driven engagement, we work to develop lawyers and legal researchers equipped to engage thoughtfully with litigation, public law, and rights-based work.
Through its work, ILRF seeks to bridge research, justice, and institutional practice, contributing to a more reasoned, accessible, and equitable legal system.
Our Initiatives
ILRF's initiatives are designed to strengthen legal awareness, support access to justice, and build capacity across the legal ecosystem.
India Legal Awareness Helpline
A citizen-oriented legal support channel established to provide accessible, preliminary legal guidance and direction to individuals navigating legal concerns.
It serves as an initial point of contact for people seeking clarity on legal procedures, documentation, and available remedies, especially those who may not yet be positioned to engage formal legal representation.
Working alongside ILRF's legal aid and research initiatives, the helpline contributes to bridging the gap between legal knowledge and practical assistance at the grassroots level.
Capacity Building & ILRF Fellowship
An upcoming capacity-building initiative aimed at engaging early-career and mid-career lawyers, researchers, and legal professionals in structured research, litigation support, and rights-oriented legal work.
The programme is intended to cultivate research-driven legal practice, encourage interdisciplinary engagement with law and policy, and strengthen institutional understanding of access-to-justice challenges.
Through mentorship, collaborative research, and exposure to real-world legal processes, the Fellowship will contribute to developing a new generation of professionals committed to responsible legal practice and public interest engagement.
Board of Members
ILRF is guided by a Board of Members comprising legal professionals, researchers, and institutional advisors.
The Board provides strategic direction, ensures adherence to the Foundation's objectives, and upholds standards of independence, integrity, and public responsibility.

M. N. Venkatachaliah
Renowned former Chief Justice of India (1993-1994), Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah elevated judicial standards through landmark rulings on constitutional rights, human rights, and administrative accountability during his tenure at the Karnataka High Court and Supreme Court. His leadership extended to chairing the National Human Rights Commission, where he championed institutional reforms and protections for marginalized communities. Beyond the bench, he contributed to constitutional reviews and legal think tanks, influencing policy on governance and ethics. Today, his legacy endures in legal education and advisory roles with foundations like ILRF, promoting access to justice and rule of law.

Pradeep Rai
Distinguished Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India and Chairman of the India Legal Research Foundation (ILRF), Pradeep Rai excels in high-stakes litigation spanning civil, criminal, constitutional, and international law across courts, tribunals, and regulators. With over 25 years of practice, he previously served as Vice-President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, leading initiatives on legal aid and policy innovation. His work emphasizes research-driven advocacy, pro bono services, and bridging academia with practice through ILRF's programs on emerging legal challenges. Rai's public engagements further amplify discourse on judicial reforms and equitable justice delivery.

Prof. Upendra Baxi
Eminent legal scholar and Emeritus Professor at the University of Warwick, Prof. Upendra Baxi is a global authority on human rights, comparative constitutionalism, and transformative constitutionalism, authoring seminal critiques on globalization and mass harms. A pioneer in Indian legal academia, he shaped institutions like the National Law School of India University and advanced public interest litigation theories. His prolific scholarship spans over 30 books and 100 articles, influencing Supreme Court jurisprudence on rights and justice. Baxi's involvement with ILRF underscores his commitment to interdisciplinary legal research and global south perspectives.

Prof. Dr. Ranbir Singh
Founder Vice-Chancellor of National Law University, Delhi, he transformed India's legal education landscape through visionary leadership at NALSAR Hyderabad, NLSIU Bangalore, and beyond. Renowned for expertise in jurisprudence, human rights, and constitutional law, he authored key texts and advised on reforms like DNA profiling legislation and police modernization. Mentoring dozens of PhD scholars worldwide, his emphasis on clinical legal education fostered practical skills for future litigators. Singh's contributions to ILRF align with his lifelong advocacy for innovative policy and academic excellence in law.

Prof. J. P. Singh
Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala, Prof. J. P. Singh (Jai Shankar Singh) specializes in international law, constitutional studies, and human rights with over 25 years in academia. Former Dean at the University of Allahabad, he has published extensively on global governance, security laws, and judicial processes. Under his stewardship, RGNUL advances interdisciplinary research, moot courts, and collaborations for holistic legal training. His ILRF association bolsters efforts in research fellowships and policy dialogues on contemporary legal frontiers.
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Contact Information
A-9, Block A, Sector 68, Noida, Basi Bahuddin Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 201309












