PG Diploma in Environmental Justice: Law & Policy

Year of Launch

2026-27 (w.e.f. Aug 2026)

Duration

1 Year - 2 Semesters

Total Credits

40 Credits

Eligibility

Bachelor's Degree in Law or any discipline. Final year students can also apply. Admission by Merit.

Programme Objectives & Outcomes

Objectives: To provide comprehensive knowledge in environmental law, enhance understanding of national/international policy, develop advocacy & policy skills, upgrade professional experience through research, foster community involvement.

PO1: Comprehensive knowledge in environmental law and justice
PO2: Understanding of National & International Environmental Law and Policy
PO3: Practical skills for advocacy and policy development
PO4: Research on real-world environmental issues

Course Structure

S.N.	Course Name	Credits
1	RESEARCH METHODOLOGY	04
2	INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL LAW	04
3	MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW	04
4	CONSERVATION OF FORESTS: LAW AND POLICY	04
5	LAW RELATING TO WILDLIFE & BIODIVERSITY	04
6	POLLUTION: LAW & POLICY	04
7	POLICY RELATED TO WASTE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA	04
8	ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT	03
9	CLIMATE CHANGE AND MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES	03
10	RESEARCH PROJECT	06
Total Credits		40

Detailed Syllabus - Semester Wise

SEMESTER I - Course 1: Research Methodology 4 Credits

Module I: Foundations

Meaning, Nature, Objectives, Scientific Method, Doctrinal & Non-Doctrinal, Socio-Legal Research, Ethics, Plagiarism

Module II: Research Problem & Design

Identification of Problem, Research Questions, Variables, Literature Review, Gap Identification

Module III & IV: Methods

Doctrinal, Statutory, Case Law, Historical, Comparative, Empirical, Surveys, Interviews, Case Study, Mixed Method

Module V: Data & Tools

Primary/Secondary Sources, Legal Databases, Sampling, Data Coding, SPSS/Excel, AI Tools in Legal Research

Course 2: Introduction to Environmental Law 4 Credits

Objectives: CO1-CO4

Explain concept & significance, development of environmental law, principles governing protection, role of courts & international bodies

Modules

Module 1: Environment protection in Ancient, Medieval and British India
Module 2: Environment and Constitutional Perspectives
Module 3: Principles Governing Environmental Justice - Polluter Pays, Precautionary, Public Trust
Module 4: Environmental Justice in India - Supreme Court and NGT

Books: S.C. Shastri, P. Leelakrishnan, Shyam Divan & Rosencranz, Jaswal & Jaswal

Course 3: Multilateral Agreements in Environmental Law 4 Credits

Module 1: Environmental Justice - Introduction and Scope
Module 2: Evolution of Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Module 3: Nature and Origin of International Environmental Organisations - UNEP, UNDP
Module 4: MEAs and Dispute Settlement Mechanisms

Books: Philippe Sands, Stuart Bell, Dilip Ukey, World Commission Report 1987

Course 4: Conservation of Forests: Law and Policy 4 Credits

Module 1: Indian Forest Act, 1927 (proposed amendment)
Module 2: Forest Conservation Act 1980
Module 3: Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
Module 4: Judicial Approach towards forest conservation

Course 5: Law Relating to Wildlife & Biodiversity 4 Credits

Module 1: Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Module 2: Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Module 3: Wildlife Trade and Trafficking - CITES
Module 4: Judicial decisions related to Wildlife

SEMESTER II - Course 6: Pollution: Law & Policy 4 Credits

Module 1: Water Pollution - Water Act 1974
Module 2: Air Pollution - Air Act 1981
Module 3: Noise and Plastic Pollution
Module 4: Judicial Decisions - Oleum Gas, Vellore, etc.

Course 7: Policy Related to Waste Management in India 4 Credits

Module 1: Solid Waste and Plastic Waste Management Rules
Module 2: Bio-Medical Waste Rules
Module 3: E-Waste Rules
Module 4: Contemporary Policies - Circular Economy, Swachh Bharat

Course 8: Environmental Impact Assessment 3 Credits

Module 1: History and Evolution of EIA
Module 2: Importance and Relevance in Sustainable Development
Module 3: Legal Base - EIA Notification 2006, Public Hearing
Module 4: Judicial Decisions

Course 9: Climate Change and Miscellaneous Issues 3 Credits

Module 1: Fundamentals of Climate Change - UNFCCC, Kyoto, Paris Agreement
Module 2: Climate Change and Its Impact
Module 3: Environmental Accountancy
Module 4: Environmental Audit

Course 10: Research Project 6 Credits

Mandatory 6-credit research project on contemporary environmental law/policy issue under faculty guidance. Evaluation based on report and viva.

Essential Readings: Environment Protection Act 1986, Air Act 1981, Water Act 1974, Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Shyam Divan & Rosencranz, Philippe Sands, Lavanya Rajamani articles.