Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar
Malika Aziz, a determined young woman from the enchanting mountains of Ladakh, has defied financial constraints to pursue her dream of studying law. From kindergarten to 12th grade, she completed her education in her hometown, yearning for greater exposure and opportunities.
Sharing a close bond with her father, she engaged in hours of debates on various issues, which nurtured her interest in politics and, later, law. However, the absence of a school offering legal subjects led her to pursue humanities with political science. In 11th grade, Malika discovered IDIA, which became her guiding light. Selected as an IDIA trainee through the INAT test, she found mentorship and support, actively participating in school debates and literary activities.
Her perseverance paid off when she achieved a perfect 100 in political science in 12th grade, setting a record in Ladakh. With IDIA’s assistance, she secured admission to Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), bringing her closer to her aspirations. Passionate about using law as a tool for social justice, Malika has developed a strong interest in Human Rights, Criminal Law, Public International Law, Family Law, Environmental Law, and Cultural Preservation Laws.
She has gained diverse legal experience through internships in criminal law, public interest litigation, and judicial research, working under Senior Advocate CM Koul (J&K High Court), Hon’ble Judge Yash Paul Sharma (Fast Track POCSO Court, Jammu), the District Legal Services Authority (Leh, Ladakh), and various law firms and advocacy chambers. Her contributions to legal awareness programs, policy research, and case preparation reflect her deep commitment to justice and legal education.
As an active researcher and writer, she has published papers on labor laws, epigenetics, and criminal defense, presenting at esteemed conferences like GNLU MEDLAWCON and the IUCN Colloquium. She has also played key roles in GNLU’s Centre for Environment, Sustainability, and Climate Justice, the Centre for Law and Society, and the Legal Incubation Council, organizing legal events and community-driven initiatives. From the mountains of Ladakh to the corridors of GNLU, Malika’s journey is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of education in shaping a better future.
