CILS

The Centre for International Legal Studies (CILS) is a pioneer in the promotion of teaching and research in International Law. The history of CILS goes back to the Indian School of International Studies (ISIS) that was registered by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) at Sapru House on 25 May 1956. Several renowned International Law scholars of time such as Prof. Quincy Wright, Prof. Percy Corbett and Prof. Julius Stone, contributed in laying a strong foundation for the study of International Law at post-graduate and doctoral levels within a unique architecture of ISIS. It was followed up and institutionalized by two eminent Indian International law scholars: Prof. R.P. Anand and Prof. Rahmatullah Khan who joined ISIS in 1965. Thus, International Law program became a ‘spinal cord’ in the larger school of advanced learning that came to be popularly known as International Studies. It showed vision of the early founders of the School to make International Law indispensable in the conduct of foreign policy and international relations. With the establishment of Jawaharlal Nehru University, the ISIS merged with it (1970) and was re-designated as School of International Studies (SIS).

CILS offers specialized Ph.D. Program as well as three MA Core Courses (International Law of Peace, Legal Controls of International Conflict as well as International Law & Organization) for the School’s M.A. (PISM) and MA (IRAS) programs, respectively. The Centre is engaged in cutting-edge research on International Law issues of historical, contemporary and future global relevance. Over the years, the faculty of the Centre has laid special emphasis on a perspective of the developing countries (now called the Global South) and contributed in shaping the global discourses in various areas of International Law, international law-making and institution-building processes as well as study of the Indian practice in joining multilateral treaties and international organizations in furtherance of vital national interests. The Centre has been instrumental in promoting the usage of International Law language (such as ‘respect’; ‘commitment’; ‘at work’; ‘taking it seriously; ‘making it work’) both within India and the world at large. The study areas of the Centre include International Law, International Trade Law, International Economic Law, Law of International Organization, International Environmental Law, Settlement of International Disputes, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Criminal Law, International Law of the Sea, Intellectual Property Law, International Air & Space Law and Gender in International Law.