Supreme Court law clerk earns Columbia Law School seat
Ananya Bangar, an NLU Delhi graduate now clerking at the Supreme Court, has been admitted to the LL.M. programme at Columbia
New Delhi:A judicial law clerk at the Supreme Court of India has secured admission to the master of laws (LL.M.) programme at Columbia Law School in New York for the 2026-27 academic year, an achievement she attributes to merit alone, without recourse to expensive coaching or professional networks.
Ananya Bangar, a graduate of National Law University (NLU), Delhi, has worked as a judicial clerk at the apex court for the past two years, assisting a sitting judge with legal research on constitutional law, criminal matters, bail and minority rights.
“Every file in court is not just paper — it is living people and their lives,” Bangar said. “The law needs not only technical knowledge but also empathy, and that is what the Supreme Court taught me.”
Admission to Columbia’s LL.M. programme, one of the most competitive in the world, draws applicants from across the globe. Bangar said she reached the milestone without commercial coaching — a route she hopes will resonate with students preparing for higher studies and competitive examinations on limited means.
Beyond her court work, Bangar has researched the use of artificial intelligence in the judicial system, with a focus on helping ordinary litigants navigate court processes. She has worked at the legal-tech startup Lucio AI and studied algorithmic bias and law under a UNESCO programme. In 2023, she completed a course in policy and global justice as a visiting scholar at Harvard Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School.
For Bangar, the Columbia connection carries a particular resonance. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, studied at the same university in the early 20th century. “Getting the opportunity to study where Dr Ambedkar studied is not merely an academic achievement,” she said. “It is a chance to connect with an inspiring tradition.”
Bangar has also volunteered as a biology teacher for visually impaired students at the Devnar School for the Blind in Hyderabad. She said she plans to set up a non-profit organisation to promote legal literacy and awareness of AI in India.
Name: Ananya Bangar
Education: B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), NLU Delhi
Current role: Judicial law clerk, Supreme Court of India
Admission: LL.M., Columbia Law School, New York (2026-27)
Research interests: Constitutional law, digital governance, artificial intelligence
Other work: Volunteer teacher for visually impaired students
WHY THIS STORY MATTERS
- Indian woman lawyer admitted to one of the world’s most prestigious LL.M. programs.
- Represents the emerging generation of Indian legal professionals working at the intersection of law, technology, AI, and public policy.
- Strong academic and professional trajectory from NLU Delhi to the Supreme Court ecosystem and now Columbia Law School.
- Focus on using technology and AI to improve access to justice and institutional effectiveness.
- Example of global academic achievement rooted in public service and constitutional values.
KEY FACTS
Name: Ananya R. Bangar
Education
- B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), National Law University, Delhi
- Admitted to Columbia Law School LL.M. Program (2026–27)
- Audited courses at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Law School
Areas of Interest
- Constitutional Law
- Technology Regulation
- Artificial Intelligence and Law
- Digital Governance
- Public Policy
- Access to Justice
Professional Experience
- Judicial Clerkship (Supreme Court ecosystem)
- Legal Research
- Legal Technology
- Legal Journalism
- Constitutional and Public Law Research
Notable Recognition
Columbia Law School admission committee highlighted her commitment to using AI tools to improve access to justice.