2-YEAR M.A. (ANIMAL PROTETCION LAWS)

About the Programme

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Animals for all intents and purposes have been seen as means to an end without any consideration or value unto themselves. However, current events unfolding across the world reiterate how closely the welfare of all living beings is interconnected. An anthropocentric approach to law, society and governance is not effective and the repercussions of such a system have devastating effects on the environment, public health, human rights and animal life.

In order to build a more equitable world for all, we must examine how the legal system impacts welfare as a whole. Animal law is an imperative area of learning for all individuals working in furtherance of a more just, compassionate and equitable country and world.

“Animal law", includes in its aegis the issues that affect humans and animals alike and enfolds the concepts of “animal welfare,” and “animal rights.” One of the fastest growing fields of legal practice, animal law may involve issues of constitutional law, administrative law, environmental law, consumer protection law, criminal law, civil laws, etc. The unifying factor within this field of practice is its underlying substance of the matter which addresses the interests of animals themselves.

Through this program NALSAR aims to create experts, be it lawyers or other professionals in allied sectors. It caters to those who want to specialize in theory and practice of animal laws in India and international law relevant to animal protection. Our course participants would not only have a sound and strong foundation on legal and jurisprudential patterns of animals’ rights and animal welfare issues but will also be well-equipped to handle practical challenges faced on the ground with respect to cruelty towards animals, policy development and litigation in matters regarding animals.

The curriculum of the programme is tailor-made to meet the professional needs of animal protection activists, lawyers or anyone in the animal protection space. It includes education on legal aspects in relation to the welfare and rights of animals so that the trained professionals are well equipped to deal with legal issues. Anyone with the motivation to learn about the nuances of animal laws can perform this role in the form of an animal law professional who can serve in the capacities of public interest lawyer, animal rights activist or even a compassionate citizen.

The unique advantage of this programme is that it covers a comprehensive understanding of animal laws across the world by intervening ethical issues within legal discourses. The course would include operational aspects of animal laws by imparting technical legal knowledge with a special focus on catering to the contemporary developments in the field of animal welfare and rights.

The primary focus of the course is to garner the substance and principles of existing Indian laws as it addresses animals, to understand the links between cruelty to animals and violent, delinquent, and criminal behaviour and to acquire legal knowledge to adequately prosecute animal cruelty cases. The aim is to assess the possibilities of using various legal concepts and tools to manage human-animal interactions and create rights for the animals.

The course is designed with a interdisciplinary and intersectional background with the awareness that legal, social, cultural, political and economic aspects in the animal protection movement are so closely entwined that a study of one aspect is incomplete without the study of the other.

The programme aims to meet the needs of citizens who wish to improve the lives of all living beings. This course aims to help individuals effectively show compassion and uphold their fundamental duties, enshrined in the Constitution of India under Article 51A(g).

This course is designed to be flexible and holistic to ensure that it can accommodate all citizens, from a plethora of different backgrounds. Those interested in the course may already be involved in activism, or in an allied sector (like public policy, environmental welfare, human rights, public health etc.), or wish to carry out work in this space after the completion of the course.

The course is appropriate for individuals who are interested in making a career around policy development, academic research, litigation, or working with an NGO.

It also aims to train any public official (including individuals in legal enforcement or justice) who might knowingly or unknowingly be major stakeholders with power to impact animal law or it’s enforcement.

Lastly this course is also helpful to individuals who want to make a difference for animals in their personal lives or at a grassroot level. The course provides such individuals with the information and tools to detect the legality of acts towards animals, ways to report acts of animal cruelty, amplify animal welfare issues, and support other local bodies and organisations with their animal protection work.

Eligibility

a. Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent Degree in any discipline from any recognized University; or

b. Candidates appearing for the final year examination of Graduation / Engineering are also eligible to apply.

c. Lateral Admission for the Advanced Diploma Candidates:

Candidates who have completed the One Year Advanced Diploma in Animal Protection Laws at NALSAR are also eligible for admission to the second year. In such cases, the candidates needs to surrender the Advanced Diploma in Animal Protection Laws Certificate awarded by NALSAR, after completion of the M.A. Programme, to be entitled for award of the Degree of M.A. (Animal Protection Laws) at NALSAR. The candidates should exercise this option within a maximum period of two years from the date of their admission to the Advanced Diploma

The candidates enrolled for the Advanced Diploma Programme can enroll for the M.A. Programme within two years from the date of their admission, even though they have not completed the Advanced Diploma.

The lateral admission to the M.A. Programme will be offered only when the subjects and the syllabus offered for the First Year of M.A. Programme are similar to that of the subjects and the syllabus offered in the said Advanced Diploma Programme.

In any case, lateral admission will be offered subject to fulfilment of the eligibility criteria for the M.A. Programme.

Admission Procedure

Direct Admission subject to fulfilment of the eligibility criteria.

Duration, Continuation and Termination

The duration of the programme is two years and the maximum period for completion of the programme is four years including the year of admission.

The maximum period for the candidates enrolled in the second year of M.A. Programme is two years including the year of admission to the second year M.A. Programme.

Every candidate admitted to the course shall pay the prescribed fees for the first year at the time of admission and the fee for the second year shall be paid at the beginning of the third semester. If a candidate is required to continue the course beyond the minimum duration because of his/her non-fulfillment of the prescribed requirements for the award of the M.A. Degree, he/she shall pay the Continuation Fee, as prescribed to continue their course after the minimum period.

The marks secured in the papers already appeared by the candidate shall be carried forward during the span of the eligibility for the programme.

After completion of the maximum period, if the candidate fails to fulfill all the requirements for the award of the M.A. Degree, the admission stands automatically cancelled. In such cases they need to enrol afresh for the programme.

Fee Structure

Course fee: Rs. 25,000/- p.a. (5% fee concession to the candidates belonging to SC / ST / PWD Category)

Course fee for Advanced Diploma Candidates : Rs. 25,000/- (5% fee concession to the candidates belonging to SC / ST / PWD Category)

• Repeat examination / Supplementary Examination fee : Rs.500/- per paper / project
• Continuation fee beyond the minimum duration of the course till the maximum period : Rs.5,000/- p.a.
• Re-evaluation Fee : Rs. 1,000/- per paper
• Boarding & Lodging charges at campus (subject to availability) during classes / exam will be extra as per the University Rules.
• Convocation fee will be charged separately as per the University Rules.

Note: If a candidate fails to submit the projects / assignments / case studies for the subjects offered in the relevant semester, then the candidate should pay the applicable repeat examination fee per subject for submission of the project / assignment / case study at a later date.

Note: The University reserves the right to revise the fee structure from time to time.

Course Structure

Subject Code	Subject	Marks	Credits
SEMESTER - I
1.1.1	Introduction to Law	100	5
1.1.2	Constitutional Law	100	5
1.1.3	Laws relating to Prevention of Cruelty to Animals -1	100	5
SEMESTER - II
1.2.4	Animal Ethics	100	5
1.2.5	Laws relating to Prevention of Cruelty to Animals -2	100	5
1.2.6	Wildlife Laws	100	5
SEMESTER - III
2.3.7	Criminal Law	100	5
2.3.8	Associated Laws Relating to Animal Protection	100	5
2.3.9	Civil Laws	100	5
2.3.10	Animals and Society	100	5
SEMESTER - IV
2.4.11	Governance and Compliance	100	5
2.4.12	Animal Legal Personhood	100	5
2.4.13	Dissertation (written: 150 marks + viva: 50 marks)	200	6

Conduct of the programme

The Master’s Programme will have four semesters. Each Semester will have Personal Contact Programme (PCP) sessions by the subject experts, followed by Online session where participants will work on the research project / assignments / case studies and upload them on the dedicated web platform / submit them by email. The candidates can contact / communicate through email with the subject experts for queries, if any, on the concerned subject. Relevant course material will be uploaded on the website and can be accessed through their login id. The Self Learning Materials (Reading Materials) printed copies will be sent to the enrolled candidates.

PCP sessions will be conducted for six days in the First & Second Semester; for seven days in the Third Semester and for four days in the Fourth Semester at Hyderabad by the subject experts. Suggested reference guidance would be provided at the contact sessions. Each subject shall consist of 15 teaching hours. The recorded videos of the classes will be uploaded on the dedicated website. Attendance at the PCP is compulsory and the candidate should have atleast 75% attendance in the PCP to appear for the end semester examination. The learners are also expected to put in at least 30 hours of study for each credit.

Case study analysis / projects / assignments will be part of the concerned subjects and will be discussed in onsite / online sessions. There will be one project / legal and research assignment / case study for each course. In total a candidate must complete twelve projects /assignments / case studies by the end of the programme.

The website will be the main delivery system in terms of updating information on the subject. The access to the website will be deactivated after the completion of the minimum duration and will be revived on the payment of the continuation fee.

Academic Calendar (Tentative)

Admission Process From February to June every year

SEMESTER I & III

S.NO.	Name of the Activity	Tentative Months
		From	To
1	Distribution of course material	July	August
2	Personal Contact Programme	September	October
3	Submission of Assignments/projects/case study	September	November
4	Examinations	November	December
5	Declaration of Results	January	February
6	Repeat Examinations	February	March

SEMESTER II & IV

S.NO.	Name of the Activity	Tentative Months
		From	To
1	Distribution of course material	January	February
2	Personal Contact Programme	February	March
3	Submission of Assignments/projects/case study (Submission of Dissertation in case of IV Semester)	February April	April May
4	Examinations (Viva Voce Examination in case of IV Semester)	May	June
5	Declaration of Results	July	August
6	Repeat Examinations	August	September

Note : The PCP Sessions (classes) will be conducted in blended mode (online / physical) at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. However, the examinations will be conducted physically at Hyderabad only.

 

Evaluation Scheme & Award of Advanced Diploma / M.A. Degree

Each paper shall carry 100 marks. The distribution of marks shall be as follows:

Assignment(s) / Project / Case Study :	30 Marks
End Semester Examination :	70 Marks
Dissertation (200 Marks) Written Report :	150 Marks
Viva-Voce Examination :	50 Marks

NOTE: No candidate will be permitted to appear for the End Semester Examination unless he / she has attended 75% in the programme specific Personal Contact Programme.

Award of Grades

The performance of all the candidates in all subjects shall be evaluated on a 10 point scale with corresponding grade values as mentioned below:

Percentage of Marks	Grade	Grade Value
90 and above	O+ (Exceptionally Outstanding)	10
85 – 89	O (Outstanding)	9
80 – 84	E+	8.5
75 – 79	E (Excellent)	8
70-74	A++	7.5
65-69	A+	7
60-64	A	6.5
55-59	B+	6
50-54	B (Pass)	5.5
Below 50	F(Fail)	0

The result will be declared as ‘W-withheld’ for all the candidates who appear for the examination and fail to submit the projects / assignments / case studies. Even if a candidate secures the minimum required marks, i.e, 50 in the end semester examination and fails to submit projects/assignments/case studies, the result will be declared as ‘W-withheld’. In both the cases, the candidates are required to register for the repeat examination and pay the requisite fee for submission of the projects / assignments / case studies.

Calculation of CGPA

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is arrived at by dividing the sum of the products of Grade Values and the Credits in each subject by the total number of credits in all the subjects.

A candidate to be successful should obtain a minimum of 50% marks or the equivalent grade, i.e., B in every subject /Dissertation. A student who secures the minimum required 50% marks will not be declared passed until he/she submits the assignments/projects/case studies as prescribed. However, the candidate who fails to obtain the minimum grade (i.e., B) shall be given chance(s) to re-appear for the examination whenever the same is conducted till the completion of the maximum period, i.e., four years from the date of admission on payment of repeat / supplementary examination fee and the continuation fee as prescribed. Candidates failing to secure the minimum marks in the Dissertation shall re-submit the same. No candidate who has cleared the subject by securing 50 marks or above is allowed to re-appear in the examination for improving the marks / grade.

Rounding off and Award of Grace Marks

In case a candidate obtains fractional marks, the fraction will be rounded off to the nearest whole number.

The Course Coordinator with the approval of the Director, DDE may add FIVE grace marks in total for all the subjects in a semester to enable a candidate to pass the examination. The said provision will not be applicable in case of re-evaluation and/or for improvement of grade.

Provided that under no circumstances, a candidate shall be granted more than five grace marks in a semester to be distributed in all subjects.

Award of the Master’s Degree

A candidate to be eligible for the award of the Master’s Degree, i.e., M.A. (Animal Protection Laws) should submit all the assignments / projects / case studies and should secure 50% marks or ‘B’ grade in all the subjects including Dissertation obtaining atleast CGPA 5.50 out of 10.00.

A student admitted to the program has to complete all the prescribed requirements within a maximum period of four years from and including the year of admission in order to be eligible for the award of the Master’s Degree. However, the candidates enrolled in the second year of M.A. Programme has to complete all the prescribed requirements within a maximum period of two years from and including the year of admission to the second year M.A. Programme.

Award of the Advanced Diploma

If a candidate decides to ‘EXIT’ after completion of all the subjects of FIRST and SECOND SEMESTER, he/she will be eligible for award of Advanced Diploma in Animal Protection Laws. To be eligible for award of the Advanced Diploma in Animal Protection Laws, a candidate should submit all the assignments / projects / case studies and should secure 50% marks or ‘B’ grade in all the subjects offered in the First and Second Semester obtaining atleast CGPA of 5.50 out of 10.00. A candidate can exercise this option within a maximum period of two years from the date of admission.

After exercising the above option, the candidate will not be entitled to continue the Master’s Programme.

Procedure for Re-counting / Re-evaluation

The candidates desiring of re-evaluation have to apply in writing along with the re-evaluation fee within 15 days from the date of declaration of results. On the receipt of the request for re-evaluation, the paper would be sent to subject expert other than the evaluator and the results of the same will be communicated within 45 days. A change in the original score shall be made only when, upon re-evaluation, the change is FIVE marks or more. The Re-evaluation result is final and there will be no further appeal to the same.

No candidate who has cleared the subject by securing 50 marks or above is allowed to re-appear in the examination or apply for re-evaluation for improving marks / grade.

The recounting of the paper would be done without collecting any fee but on the written request to the Director, DDE by the candidate. The change, if any, shall be incorporated accordingly.

Misconduct Rules

The Vice-Chancellor on the report and recommendation of the Course Co-ordinator can cancel the registration of a candidate and also debar them from examinations and further enrolment if he or she is found to be indulging in abusive, unruly behavior with the faculty or staff of the University. Such behavior will also include abusive mails, phone calls or defamatory tweets / posts / blogs etc.

The NALSAR University Academic Mis-Conduct Regulations, as approved by the Executive Council of the University will apply suitably for the candidates enrolled for this programme.

Refund of Fee in case of withdrawal of admission

a) In case of withdrawal within 15 days from the closure of the admission, 10% of the course fee paid shall be retained by the University towards administrative charges;

b) In respect of candidates who withdraw their candidature after 15 days from the closure of admission, total course fee paid by the candidates shall be retained by the University.

c) All other fee other than course fee, once paid is non-refundable.

Note: The University reserves the right to modify the admission process, fee structure, course structure, course content, the evaluation scheme and other Rules from time to time.

2-YEAR M.A. (ANIMAL PROTETCION LAWS)

Core Faculty