ABOUT THE ORGANISER / FOUNDATION
VMFT works towards a society where knowledge overcomes ignorance, fairness overcomes injustice, and opportunity replaces despair. It aims to provide a platform for new ideas and for young people to question, learn and engage with issues shaping their future.
Its work spans inclusive governance, education, science and technology, and social and cultural transformation, with a focus on turning knowledge and ideas into meaningful change. The organisation highlights three broad goals: promoting new ideas, generating knowledge, and impacting lives.
DETAILS ABOUT THE EVENT / OPPORTUNITY
The K.M. Bashir Memorial Student Constitutional Forum is described as the principal student initiative of the K.M. Bashir Memorial, organised by VMFT. It seeks to foster constitutional understanding, democratic citizenship and informed public reasoning among young people by combining the annual Memorial Lecture with a structured Student Constitutional Forum.
The 2026 theme is:
“Has the Constitution Failed Us, or Have We Failed the Constitution?”
The Forum encourages participants to reflect, discuss and engage with contemporary constitutional questions. Possible areas of discussion include the role of public institutions in constitutional governance, protection of vulnerable and marginalised groups, gender equality and social justice, and contemporary challenges to constitutional democracy.
Objectives
- Encourage students to critically study constitutional issues of contemporary importance.
- Promote informed, respectful and evidence-based discussion.
- Develop constitutional reasoning and the ability to analyse issues from different perspectives.
- Foster collaboration among colleges committed to constitutional education and civic engagement.
Format
The Forum is conducted over approximately three hours under an independent Judging Panel and consists of three stages:
- Opening Presentation – A 10-minute oral presentation on the theme, drawing on preparation and the Memorial Lecture.
- Assigned Questions – One undisclosed question is assigned by random draw. Teams get 15 minutes to prepare and up to 8 minutes to present.
- Constitutional Dialogue – A 30-minute structured dialogue among teams, led by the Chair, exploring broader implications of the theme.
WHO IS IT FOR / ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE
In 2026, five colleges and university departments from the region will be invited by VMFT, with selected law colleges and institutions offering political science or other relevant disciplines being considered.
Each participating institution has a two-student team, preferably one female and one male in co-educational colleges.
- Students may be undergraduate or postgraduate students.
- Ph.D. scholars are excluded.
- The prize is awarded to the team, not to individual students.
- Each institution designates a faculty member to guide preparation and attend the Lecture, though the faculty member may not assist the team during the Forum.
MODE OF THE EVENT
Offline
LOCATION & VENUE
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
The brochure gives the VMFT address as:
Vakkam Moulavi Foundation Trust (VMFT)
Vakkam Moulavi Road,
Thekkummoodu Junction,
Trivandrum – 695035.
The cover identifies VMFT, Thekkummoodu Junction, 695035, Thiruvananthapuram as the event location.
The brochure also states that the 2026 K.M. Bashir Memorial Lecture, which forms part of the Forum’s preparation, will be held at the Science and Technology Museum Auditorium, PMG Junction, Thiruvananthapuram, on 24 September 2026 at 4:30 PM. The Lecture will be delivered by Shri S. P. Swamy…, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India (Retd.), on the Forum theme.
A Constitution and Citizens Prize will be awarded to the team demonstrating the strongest overall performance in the Forum.
Prize Money
₹10,000 for the winning team.
All participants will receive certificates.
The judging criteria are:
- Opening Presentation – 40 marks
- Assigned Questions – 35 marks
- Constitutional Dialogue – 15 marks
- Teamwork – 10 marks
The highest-scoring team receives the prize on the Judging Panel’s recommendation, and the decision of the Judging Panel is final.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES
| Date | Details |
|---|---|
| 24 September 2026 | K.M. Bashir Memorial Lecture, 4:30 PM |
| 25 September 2026 | K.M. Bashir Memorial Student Constitutional Forum, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM |
Before the Lecture, teams are expected to prepare their opening presentation using relevant materials and guidance from their faculty mentor. After the Lecture, teams refine their presentations based on the Lecturer’s ideas.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: vmft.tvpm@gmail.com
Phone: +91 471 2304051
Contact Person: Merilin Jacob
Mobile: +91 95624 58609
Address: Vakkam Moulavi Road, Thekkummoodu Junction, Trivandrum – 695035.
