A respected law professor and the youngest Dean at Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Anand Paliwal is a LLB and LLM Gold medalist known for his academic excellence and student-focused teaching by becoming the Principal of Law college at just 29 years old.
Anand Paliwal is a professor at the College of Law, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, and a Member of the Law Commission of India. He has been associated with the university since 2007. Prior to this, he served as the Principal of B.N. Law College.
He shares that he comes from a science background and initially began preparing for a career in engineering. Although he got an opportunity to pursue Mechanical Engineering, he realized he wasn't truly interested in that field and decided not to go ahead with it. During that phase of his life, he faced a dilemma about which career path to choose after completing his 12th, especially since he had a science background but didn't want to continue in the same stream. It was during this time that some of his friends suggested he should consider the Company Secretary course.
Pursuing the Company Secretary (CS) course marked a turning point in his life. While studying the CS program in Delhi, he encountered a subject related to law, which was taught by a Supreme Court lawyer. This lawyer recognized his potential and encouraged him to consider a career in law. Anand was initially surprised by the suggestion, questioning why he should pursue law, especially given his science background and the fact that he had enrolled in the CS course primarily to secure a stable job. However, the professor firmly reiterated his belief in Anand's aptitude for law. That moment of encouragement became a life-changing milestone, steering him toward the legal field.
Alongside the Company Secretary program, he also pursued a Bachelor of Arts (BA), believing that God has His own way of guiding individuals toward their true path. Though he appeared for the Judicial Services Examination, life had other plans for him. After completing his BA and CS, he went on to achieve remarkable academic success—becoming the gold medalist in his BA LLB and securing the first position in his LLM as well.
He shares that he cleared the NET JRF in his first attempt while pursuing his LLM. At the time, he was considering a job in a private company or applying for an internship related to the Company Secretary course. He had even been selected for a position in Gurgaon. However, his friends recognized his strong academic abilities and suggested that he consider a career in academia instead.
Encouraged by his senior teacher, who also emphasized his potential as an educator, he decided to join B.N. Law College as a law professor. His dedication and academic excellence soon led to his promotion as the Principal of the college—an achievement he reached at the young age of just 29. This role brought with it significant responsibilities and opportunities, including the development of the law college, engaging more deeply with students, and understanding their aspirations. Given that law is a professional program, he recognized that students enter with the expectation of becoming competent lawyers or judges, and he took it upon himself to guide and mentor them accordingly.
This role gave Anand Paliwal the direction to grow personally so he could, in turn, help students grow and develop a positive outlook on life. He reflects that behind the black coat of a lawyer often lies the harsh reality of unemployment, which can hinder an individual's progress—whether it's the struggle to get good cases, succeed as an advocate, or clear competitive exams. Despite these challenges, he believes that hope must be nurtured, especially by a law professor. From the moment he entered the field of teaching, he made it his motto to continuously encourage students and instill in them a sense of hope and perseverance.
In 2007, he was selected to join the university, and by 2012, he was appointed as an Associate Professor. Later, he rose to the position of Dean at the remarkable age of just 36. He proudly notes that he became the youngest Professor of Law at Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU) by the age of 37. With these accomplishments, the university entrusted him with several key responsibilities aimed at enhancing student development and academic growth.
He highlights that what he enjoys most in his profession is interacting with students. He shares that these interactions spark new ideas and fill him with enthusiasm. Engaging with students, he says, creates a positive environment filled with hope and smiling faces, which continuously motivates him in his academic life.
Anand Paliwal acknowledges that his greatest achievement is his parents, whose unwavering support and guidance have been the foundation of all his successes. He is a gold medalist in both LLB and LLM and has received the prestigious Bhamashah Award along with several honors from various universities. He serves as a member of multiple committees and academic bodies at both state and central universities, including appointments as a visitor’s nominee in central universities and a governor’s nominee in a state university. He believes that these accomplishments reflect his dedication and passion, demonstrating that his efforts are sincere and impactful.
He states that witnessing his students successfully clear NET exams, JRF, and various judicial exams brings him immense joy and a deep sense of accomplishment. At times, when students approach him with personal or academic problems, he takes on the role of a guardian and feels great satisfaction in helping solve their issues. He underscores that this sense of fulfillment is the most rewarding and enjoyable aspect of his profession.
Talking about his role model, Anand Paliwal highlights that his father has been his greatest inspiration and ideal. His father, being a government officer, led the family to various parts of the country, starting with his early education in Northeast India, followed by transfers to Leh Ladakh and Uttar Pradesh. In 1991, the family settled in Udaipur, where Anand Paliwal has remained since. Having pursued his higher education at Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU), the institution became an integral part of his life. This connection not only fostered a deep affection for the university but also gave him the opportunity to serve and contribute to the same institution, fueling his motivation and confidence throughout his career.
Law College professor Anand Paliwal shares that he follows a student-friendly approach to better understand his students and tailor his teaching accordingly. He believes that merely delivering lectures is insufficient to achieve the true objective of education. Without respect and patience towards students, a professor cannot identify the most effective way to guide them in their specific fields. Building rapport and maintaining a supportive attitude are essential for meaningful teaching and learning.
Anand Paliwal shares that he has two key role models in the field of education. The first is a senior law advocate who taught general laws and procedures and inspired him to pursue a career in law. The second is his former dean, who motivated him to join the field of education at a time when he was hesitant to do so.
Reflecting on his success mantra, MLSU professor Anand Paliwal shares that the key to success is, first, to avoid negative thinking and consistently maintain a positive mindset. Second, he underlines the importance of continuous reading, explaining that reading good books not only builds confidence but also broadens knowledge. He also urges everyone to be respectful and obedient towards elders, seniors, teachers, and parents, as their blessings are vital in driving individuals toward success.
When asked about his earlier mistakes, Anand Paliwal highlights that his major mistake was being confused about which field to pursue and trying to focus on multiple areas such as mechanical engineering, company secretaryship, and law, without choosing a clear career path. He believes that this indecision and spending time contemplating different options was his biggest mistake.
Anand Paliwal stresses the importance of adopting a firm approach when thinking about one’s career and setting goals, because while many things in life can be regained, time once lost can never be recovered. He highlights that lost time is a great loss, unlike health or money, which can be restored. He highlights the need for careful planning in life, but only after thorough consideration. He reflects that his biggest mistake was planning solely for engineering without exploring the many other dimensions and opportunities available.
Reflecting on his past experiences, he advises young students that not being successful yet does not mean they cannot achieve success. They may reach great heights in life through different fields, so they should never feel discouraged or disappointed.
He further shares that anyone aspiring to pursue a career in law or education must have a strong mindset and confidence in themselves. He emphasizes the importance of being consistent in studies, maintaining good character, and having a genuine passion for the field. He also highlights that a teacher’s behavior towards students is crucial. According to him, these qualities are essential for success in life. One must remain optimistic and adopt a positive approach towards students.
He also urges students not to be disheartened by societal judgments or negative news reports following exam results. He has noticed that even students with good degrees or LLM qualifications sometimes apply for low-level positions like peon, which he finds really disheartening. He strongly insists on never losing hope or confidence. He emphasizes that success comes to those who are honest and have complete faith in themselves. While failures may occur, they do not mean one cannot achieve success in subsequent attempts. He encourages students to draw inspiration from figures like Swami Vivekananda and Abraham Lincoln, who faced many setbacks but ultimately rose to great heights—Lincoln even becoming President of the USA.
He shares the example of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who was not selected in the NDA exams despite wanting to pursue a career as a fighter pilot, but later became the President of India and accomplished great things. He emphasizes that God has His own plan for success, and one only needs to believe and have faith in it. He urges individuals to never lose hope, to have faith and strength in their own abilities, and to consistently focus on enhancing their skills and capabilities.
Sharing about his life, Anand Paliwal mentions that he has some political affiliations, which provide him access to students across India. He is planning to establish his own NGO to support students in need. Currently, he is involved with an NGO that assists underprivileged students by arranging scholarships and fulfilling other essential requirements. His goal is to build his own organization over the next 15 years, enabling him to provide comprehensive help to any student who seeks assistance.
Apart from his professional work, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, especially playing and interacting with his daughter. He makes it a point to communicate with her every single day, describing this as the best part of his life. He shares that his daughter always has something new and interesting to tell him. Besides this, he enjoys playing sports like cricket and football with his son and also loves reading stories to his children.
