Chairman - Telangana State Council of Higher Education
Former Vice-Chancellor & Registrar - NALSAR University
balakista@nalsar.ac.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.