About
Sugandha is currently an Assistant Professor of Law at Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Nyaya Nagar, Patna, serving the University since August 2010. She has keen interest in areas such as child rights, gender justice, intellectual property rights, and statutory interpretation, having completed her PhD on gender dimensions of IPR under the Patents Act, 1970 and Geographical Indications Act, 1999 (supervised by Dr. G.P. Pandey). She has demonstrated consistent academic excellence through achievement of top honors, and her extensive contributions spanning teaching, research, and community engagement through the Child Rights Centre and collaborations with national and international organizations.
Qualification
Sugandha ‘s qualifications comprise PhD from CNLU, Patna (2026, Supervisor: Dr. G.P. Pandey, topic: ‘Exploring Gender Dimensions of IPR: The Patents Act, 1970 and the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999’), UGC NET (2018, Roll No. 11020308), Master of Laws from University College London (2007–2008), LLB from Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, Delhi University (2001–2004), Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and Refugee Law from ISIL, Delhi (2002–2003), BA (Honors) Political Science from Hindu College, Delhi University (1998–2001), Intermediate (Arts) from Patna Women’s College, Patna (1996–1998), and Matriculation from St. Paul’s School (ICSE), Begusarai, Bihar (1996).
Teaching / Research Experience
Sugandha is currently serving as Assistant Professor of Law at CNLU, Patna, teaching subjects including International Humanitarian Law and Refugee Law, Public International Law, Law of Torts, Interpretation of Statutes and Principles of Legislation, Press and Media Law, Gender Justice and Feminist Jurisprudence, Laws Relating to Women and Children, Origin and Development of Human Rights (National and International Perspectives), Human Rights of the Vulnerable Groups, Patent and GI Laws, Trade Secret (LLM), and Understanding OCSEA.
From November 2008 to February 2010, she served as Legal Associate at Remfry & Sagar, (Intellectual Property Rights), Millennium Plaza, Sector-27, Gurgaon, NCR, Delhi, gaining specialized experience in intellectual property law practice.
She was Co-Investigator on the CRY-funded project ‘POCSO and Beyond: Combatting Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse during Covid in Rural-Urban Chasm’ (July 2022–January 2023), which identified various forms of OCSEA and their prevalence patterns based on region, gender, class, and education. Currently, she serves as Investigator on the Review of State Action Plan 2017 for Elimination of Child Labour and Prohibition/Regulation of Adolescent Labour, funded by UNICEF (June 2025–present). She was also Core Team Member (with BIT Mesra, IIT Patna, UNICEF, AKU, Cyberpeace Foundation) for an effort to establish AI laboratory to identify CSAM in Bihar, in association with Monash University, Australia (April 2024–ongoing). This work included attending a workshop at Monash University to develop a CSAM categorisation scheme for India and ongoing work on developing a schema for categorization of CSEAM. Additionally, she serves as Member, Research Ethics Committee, Child Rights and You (CRY) (January 2026); she organized an NCW Consultation Project for conducting regional law review on ‘Laws related to Women in Prisons’ (17 January 2025); and served as Member, National Child Rights Research Fellowship (NCRRF) Committee, CRY (2024–2025).
Area of Interest
Sugandha ‘s areas of interest include Child Rights, Gender Justice, Intellectual Property Rights, and Statutory Interpretation.
Publications
- ‘Reproductive Rights of Women with Special Reference to the State of Bihar’ in International Journal of Law Management & Humanities (Vol. 6 Iss. 3, p. 499, ISSN 2581-5369).
- ‘Innovating in the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry- An Analysis’ in Working of Patents: Law and pharmaceutical implications, edited by Dr. S.C. Roy, Mewar University Press (2015, pp. 227–238);
- ‘Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act – A Socio-legal analysis’ published in Bihar Journal of Political Science (Jan–Jun 2014, Vol. III No.1, ISSN 2277-422X);
- Paper ‘Free Trade Agreements and Access to Medicine’ presented at CNLU National Seminar on ‘Ever greening of Patents’ (May 2013), later published as a chapter in Evergreening of Patents, Satyam Law Publications.
Conference / Seminar / Workshop
Sugandha has participated in several professional development programs. She completed an Online Refresher Course on ‘Research Methodology and Academic Writing’ from Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad, Jharkhand (3 November 2025–15 November 2025). She completed a Refresher Course in Law from HRDC, Ranchi University (9 September 2021–15 September 2021), and the Guru-Dakshita Faculty Induction Programme (FIP) of 30 days from Human Resource Development Centre, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad (27 July 2020–25 August 2020).
Capacity Building Training Programmes
Resource Person for Training Programs conducted by NHRC, Bihar Institute of Correctional Administration (BICA), Women Development Corporation (DSW, Government of Bihar) and other government and non government organisations.
Honours/Awards/Membership/Visiting Faculty/Guest Lectures/Keynote Address
Sugandha has received recognition through various academic and professional roles. She served as Member, Interview Board for appointment of Probation Officer/Child Welfare Officer/Case Worker, Social Welfare Department, Government of Bihar (5–6 January 2026). She is Member, Research Ethics Committee, Child Rights and You (CRY) (January 2026) and Member, National Child Rights Research Fellowship (NCRRF) Committee, CRY (2024–2025). In June 2023, she vetted questions on Motor Vehicles Act 1988, Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, and Dowry Prohibition Act 1951 for departmental examinations of Bihar Officers (BIPARD, Ref: BIPARD/TR/N.O.-2022-273). She served as External Member, Internal Committee under Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 at AIIMS Patna (March 2023–March 2026).
She has served as Resource Person in multiple capacities. These include orientation for BSCPCR members (29 July 2025); Regional Law Review Consultation for National Commission for Women on ‘Cyber Law Affecting Women’, WBNUJS Campus, Kolkata (8 November 2024); Core Team Member for AI CSAM laboratory establishment with workshop at Monash University (7–13 April 2024); ‘Protection of Children Against Sexual Abuse and Harassment under POCSO Act and Measures to prevent child pornography’, Bihar Institute of Correctional Administration, Hajipur, Vaishali (27 January 2024); Resource Person on RTE, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, and Domestic Violence Act at BIPARD, Phulwari Sharif (2–3 March 2023); Resource Person on POCSO/Juvenile Justice Act/Dowry Prohibition Act and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act at Bihar Institute of Public Administration & Rural Development (11–12 August 2022); NCW-funded national seminar on ‘Reproductive Choice of Women: A Fundamental Right’ on the topic ‘Legal Aspects of Reproductive Choice of Women: Components, Features and Gaps’ (27 November 2021); workshop on ‘Investigation & Prosecution: Human Rights Interface’, State Crime Records Bureau, Bihar Police and CNLU Patna (9 March 2021).
She chaired sessions in several national seminars: UGC-sponsored National Seminar on ‘Law and Environment Protection: Issues and Challenges’ organized by CNLU, Patna (19 January 2019); National Seminar on ‘Better and Fair Environment for Women at Workplace’ organized by CNLU, Patna (20 January 2019); and National Seminar on ‘Intellectual Property Rights: Emerging Issues and Challenges’ on Patents (23 September 2018).
Additional resource person roles include: One Day Training Programme on Human Rights, organized by CNLU in association with NHRC, New Delhi (2018); One Day Training Programme on Child Rights, Organized by CNLU in association with NHRC, New Delhi (10 December 2017); Technical Expert in Law for Gender Resource Centre, Women Development Corporation, Government of Bihar, for sensitization of Media Persons and Media Students on Child Marriage and Dowry Prohibition (18–30 November 2017); NHRC-sponsored one day workshop at CNLU on ‘Women Rights’ with presentation on CEDAW and its optional protocol (1 December 2013); one day legal awareness program organized by Sneha Dhara in collaboration with CNLU (20 October 2013); Legal Awareness at Youth Centre, Chakaram, Patna (19–21 October 2013); Legal awareness program under NSS at Manorama Vidyapeeth, Patna (17 August 2013); and legal awareness program for NSS members of J.D Women’s College, Patna University (April 2012 and January 2014).
Other Accomplishments
Sugandha achieved 1st position in Hindu College (Graduation), 1st in the University in the first year of undergraduate course, and 1st in Intermediate (Arts) at Patna Women’s College, Patna.
She has held numerous administrative responsibilities at CNLU. These include Faculty Exchange Committee, Good Relations and Outreach, IQAC, and Restorative Justice Committee (26 December 2023–);Moot Court Committee; MUN Committee COVID-19 Committee/COVID-19 Grievance Cell; Head, Child Rights Centre (2025–present, previously serving as Assistant Coordinator, Faculty Coordinator, and Research Coordinator); Non-AISHE Member Nodal Officer for Swachh Bharat Summer Internship Program (June 2019); NSS Program Officer (October 2014–2023); CNLU MUN Society Faculty Member; and Assistant Warden, Girls Hostel (August 2010–December 2012). She also drafted the Chanakya National Law University (Discipline and Conduct) Rules (March 2011).
Her other significant accomplishments include initiating, facilitating, coordinating and organizing the summer school programme on Human Rights, Development and Social Change with University of Nanterre, Paris and European University of Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) (4–7 March 2024). In October 2025, she collaborated with Prayas JAC Society to enter into an MoU for launching Diploma courses in Juvenile Justice and related issues for stakeholders in Bihar and nationally.
She maintains regular and overall coordination with UNICEF for the Child Rights Centre, CNLU, Patna, including negotiating and bringing projects to CRC. Some of the projects undertaken include: ‘Condition of Children in Conflict with Law Remanded to Prisons as Adults and Challenges in Accessing Socio-Legal aid and services – An Exploratory Study in the Prisons of Bihar’; ‘Law and Policy Relating to Adolescent Labour: A Socio-Legal Study with Special Reference to the State of Bihar’; and ‘Drafting Standards Operating Procedure on Child Labour Trafficking and Children on the move’.
She organised the inauguration of Child Rights Centre on 20 November 2018, coordinating with UNICEF and the Speaker’s office, overseeing minute-to-minute organization of the event. She co-organised the 1st Bihar Legislators Conclave on Rights and Well-Being of children (6 March 2019) along with the Centre Coordinator. She coordinated and organized the Dissemination Workshop of ‘Ending Violence in Childhood: Global Report 2017’ with CRC and ‘Know Violence in Childhood: A global Learning Initiative’ (9 January 2019).
ORCID
ORCID: 00009-0001-2333-4666
