West Bengal Nat’l Univ. of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata
Ratan comes from a small village where the shadows of caste-based discrimination and systemic inequality still loom large. A member of the Scheduled Caste community, Ratan is the son of a farmer whose annual income is ₹90,000. Neither of his parents had the opportunity to attend college, but they have always encouraged Ratan’s education. He has three siblings, one brother and two sisters, who together share the challenges of rural life.
Despite limited financial resources and persistent social discrimination, Ratan has always excelled academically. He scored an impressive 88% in his 10th standard and 71% in his 12th standard. He is particularly passionate about solving mathematical problems and enjoys playing cricket in his free time.
Ratan’s motivation to pursue law is deeply rooted in his lived experiences. Having grown up witnessing rampant caste-based discrimination including restrictions on temple entry for people of his caste, he is keenly aware of how the lack of legal awareness can enable injustice. He has himself been at the receiving end of such prejudice and abuse. These experiences shaped his determination to become a lawyer and a voice for the oppressed.
Ratan joined IDIA (Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access to Legal Education) two years ago. With their support, he prepared for the CLAT exam and secured a category rank of 69. He was offered a seat at the prestigious West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS), where he is currently in his fifth year (10th semester) of study.
Ratan has also gained valuable legal exposure through multiple internships. In May 2024, he interned at Manocha & Ghosh Law Associates, Delhi. He then joined CSL Chambers, Delhi, for a two-month internship from June to July 2024. In October 2024, he interned at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., Mumbai, and in May 2025 he did one month internship at Tata Services Limited, Mumbai, further sharpening his understanding of the legal profession.
Ratan aspires to use his legal education to lead sensitization efforts in rural India. His goal is to raise awareness about constitutional rights, fight systemic discrimination, and empower his community to stand up against injustice, one case, one conversation at a time.
