Dr. Balakista Reddy
Professor & Dean School of Law
balakistareddy.vundhyala@mahindrauniversity.edu.in
Prof. (Dr.) V Balakista Reddy is a renowned academic and a seasoned professional with extensive academic and administrative experience. Before joining the School of Law, Prof. Reddy had a distinguished career, serving as the former Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. He is also the Director of the Centre for Aerospace and Defence Laws (CADL) and the Centre for Tribal and Land Rights (CTLR). Additionally, he served as the LL.M. Course Coordinator for International Trade and Business Laws (ITBL) at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.
Prof. Balakista Reddy began his academic journey by obtaining his LL.M. in International Law from Osmania University, followed by M.Phil. and Ph.D. in International Air and Space Law from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. With over three decades of teaching, research, and administrative experience, Prof. Reddy’s expertise in International Law has earned him several prestigious accolades. He received the Meritorious State Teachers Award from the Higher Education Department, Government of Telangana, in 2017, and NALSAR’s Excellence in Research Award for his outstanding publications in 2021. Prof. Reddy is globally recognized for his work in International Air and Space Law and has presented numerous research papers at prestigious national and international forums, including the United Nations. He played a crucial role in bringing the Nobel Peace Prize Award-Winning “Institut De Droit International” i.e., Institute of International Law to NALSAR for its 78th Session during 3rd – 10th September 2017, a first in India and second in Asia. Besides his academic pursuits, Prof. Reddy has been actively involved as a visiting faculty in various institutions and universities abroad, contributing to the dissemination of legal knowledge internationally. Notably, he has been associated with institutes like Leiden University, McGill University, University of Cologne, and more.
As the Director of the Centre for Aerospace and Defence Laws (CADL), Prof. Reddy pioneered innovative and value-added courses in aviation, space, defence, and maritime laws to meet the growing demands in these sectors. He also played a key role in drafting various legislations for the Indian government and the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. As the Director of the Centre for Tribal and Land Rights (CTLR), Prof. Reddy took several initiatives on Land and Tribal Rights in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, including the drafting of around 112 legislations on Land and Revenue, along with several legal aid camps to advocate for the rights of tribals. Prof. Reddy’s impact extended beyond academics, as he actively organized conferences, workshops, and training programs to promote legal education and development in various sectors. He also supervised numerous Ph.D., M.Phil., and LL.M. students, aiding them in excelling in their academic pursuits.
During his tenure as the Registrar of NALSAR, the university’s infrastructure expanded significantly, and he played a vital role in securing increased annual grants from the Telangana Government. Apart from his teaching and administrative roles, Dr. Reddy is an accomplished author, with several internationally acclaimed books on Air and Space Law to his credit. He also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of multiple law journals, including the Indian Journal of Air and Space Law and the M.K. Nambyar SAARC Law Journal. Throughout his academic journey, Prof. (Dr.) V. Balakista Reddy has demonstrated unwavering dedication to legal education, research, and administration. His contributions to the field of International Law and his commitment to nurturing students have established him as a respected figure in the legal fraternity both in India and abroad.
As the Dean, School of Law, he has organised and convened International Law and Technology Conference, “Revolutionary Technologies and Evolutionary Laws: Challenges and Opportunities”, Pre-Conference Workshop on “Data Governance in the age of AI” and 1st International Moot Court Competition during February 29, 2024 to March 3, 2024.
Ph. D.
- Ph. D. in The Law and Policy of International Air Transport: A Study of Some Contemporary Issues, & awarded in February 2000 by the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi; under the supervision of Late Prof. Dr. V.S. Mani.
M. Phil
- M. Phil in The Role of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in the Making of International Air Law – Study of the Development of Annexes to the Chicago Convention 1944, JNU, New Delhi, 1993; under the supervision of Late Prof. Dr. V.S. Mani.
LL. M
- LL. M in International Law, Osmania University 1991; Dissertation on: The Concept of Recognition in International Law.
LL. B.
- LL. B. from Marathwada University, 1988.
B. A.
- B. A. from Osmania University, 1985.
PRESENT
PRESENT
- Professor & Dean of School of Law MU: (August 2023- present)
- External Member, Institutional Academic Integrity Panel, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad.
- Member, General Council (GC), NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.
- Member, Executive Council (EC), NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.
- Member, Academic Council (AC), NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.
- Member, Board of Studies Committee, Department of Law, Telangana University, Nizamabad.
- Member of the Telangana State Legal Services Authority, Hyderabad.
- Member of the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC), IPE, Hyderabad.
- Member of Board of Studies, Vignan Institute of Law (VIL), VFSTR (Deemed to be University), Vadlamudi, Andhra Pradesh.
- Member of Board of Studies (BoS) of VIT-AP School of Law (VSL), Hyderabad.
- Member of the Academic Council, Malla Reddy University, Hyderabad.
- Expert Member of the Board of Studies, ICFAI Law School, Hyderabad.
- External Expert for the Research Degree Committee of University (RDCU), HNLU, Raipur.
- Member of the Board of Affiliation and Recognition of the Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU), New Delhi.
- Member of the Insurance Advisory Committee, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), Hyderabad.
- Member of the Board of Studies, School of Law, Bennett University, Greater Noida.
- Member of the Doctoral Committee (Ph.D.) of Karnataka State Law University, Hubballi, Karnataka.
- Member of the Board of Studies in Law, Mahatma Gandhi University, Nalgonda, Telangana
- Academic Council Member in Gujarat National Law University, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat.
- Research Committee Member, Karnataka State Law University, Karnataka.
PAST
PAST
- Vice-Chancellor, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.
- Registrar, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.
- Convener, Post Graduate Committee (PGC), NALSAR University of Law.
- Proctor, Hostels Administration and Discipline Matter, NALSAR University of Law.
- Convener, Examination Committee, NALSAR University of Law.
- Faculty Advisor, Moot Court Committee, NALSAR University of Law.
- Faculty Advisor, Campus Development, NALSAR University of Law.
- Member, Library Committee and Sports Committee, NALSAR University of Law.
- General Secretary, NALSAR Employees Mutually Aided Cooperative Housing Society, Hyderabad.
- Member, NAAC Steering Committee
- Worked as Consultant, Aerospace Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 1999 – 2000.
- Practiced as Advocate at High Court of Andhra Pradesh, 1989 – 1991.
- Member of the Honorary Editorial Advisory Council for the Wealth of India for the Monthly Magazine.
Books
2023
2021
2020
2015
2014
2012
2011
2007
1997
1994
Book Chapters
2021
2020
2016
2015
2009
2006
2005
1997
1994
Articles
2023
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2015
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2011
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2000
1996
Since the beginning of his legal education, Prof. Dr. V. Balakista Reddy has always been keen on acquiring knowledge in the field of international law. After graduating in law, he pursued post-graduate studies in International law. Through perseverance and determination to excel in this field of law, not only did he concentrate on his research to understand the principles, but also always tried to keep abreast with the developments in the field through active participation in Seminars and Workshops and presenting papers.
After having broad exposure to the field of international law at Osmania University, he chose to dwell into a subject where there is a blend of law, sciences and application of technology for the betterment of the society. Hence, he chose International Air and Space laws, as a part of his research while pursuing his M. Phil and thereafter Ph.D. at Jawaharlal Nehru University (J.N.U.)., New Delhi.
He chose the field of Air and Space Law not only for his passion for aircrafts and other objects in flight, but also because this area is an emerging field and does not have many academicians or research scholars, who could contribute to the development of this field, which was and is even growing at a rapid pace. Subsequently, he also co-edited two books with his teachers, which is again a unique achievement in JNU.
In the recent past, he has been contributing to the field of air and space law (including other subjects in international law) by teaching, introducing innovative and value-added courses, publishing, organizing national and international conferences/workshops and offering advice to the Government of India in matters concerning aerospace law in particular and other international laws in general. Over the past few years he has also been working on draft space legislation for India in association with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). At NALSAR, he has spearheaded many unique and contemporary courses on air and space law namely, Masters in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management (MA ALATM), Masters in Space and Technology Law (MA STL), Masters in Security and Defence Laws (MA SDL), Masters in Masters in Maritime Laws (MA MTL), Post-Graduate Diploma in Aviation Law and Air Transport Management (PGD ALATM), Post-Graduate Diploma in Maritime Laws (PGD MTL) and Post-Graduate Diploma in Remote Sensing and GIS Law (PGDRSGL). These courses often receive overwhelming response from the working professionals.
His area of teaching expertise include Public International Law, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian & Refugee Law, Globalization & Human Rights, International Intellectual Property Law, International Environmental Law, International Economic and Trade Law, International Business Laws, International Banking and Insurance Laws, Comparative Corporate & Competition Laws, International Commercial Arbitration, Covidization and Contemporary International Laws.
He had successfully guided 13 Ph.D. Candidates and is currently 11 are in progress.
