Nikhil Chugh (born 23 August 1999) is an Indian advocate, legal educator and author based in Panipat, Haryana. He is a member of the Supreme Court Bar Association and is known for his efforts to promote legal literacy and constitutional awareness among citizens.
Recognising the gap between law and society, Chugh has dedicated himself to making legal knowledge accessible to ordinary people. He believes that access to justice begins with access to legal information and that citizens are better empowered when they understand their rights, responsibilities and the laws that govern their lives.
Nikhil Chugh completed his B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) from Chandigarh University and later earned an LL.M. in Constitutional Law from Kurukshetra University. He also completed an MBA in Finance, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach to education. His academic journey continues through a Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law and Policy (PGDELP) from National Law University, Delhi, while simultaneously pursuing a Ph.D. in Law.
As a practicing advocate, Chugh has handled matters relating to constitutional law, criminal law, consumer disputes, cheque dishonour cases and civil litigation. Alongside legal practice, he has remained committed to public legal education, believing that lawyers have a broader responsibility towards society beyond courtroom representation.
Nikhil Chugh is the author of “Legal Rights Every Citizen Must Know: FIR, Bail and Police Procedure Under India’s New Criminal Laws (BNSS 2023)”, a book aimed at simplifying important legal procedures for the general public. The publication seeks to help citizens better understand their rights while interacting with law enforcement agencies and navigating legal processes.
As part of his efforts to encourage legal awareness, copies of the book were delivered to the Prime Minister’s Office and the President’s Secretariat. The initiative reflected his belief that legal literacy is a matter of national importance and deserves greater attention in public discourse.
Through articles, media interactions and public commentary, Chugh has actively participated in discussions relating to constitutional rights, public policy and legal reform. He has consistently emphasised that legal literacy should not remain confined to legal professionals but should become an essential life skill for every citizen.
A significant area of his work focuses on the rights of gig and platform workers. As digital platforms continue to reshape employment patterns, Nikhil Chugh has been vocal in highlighting issues relating to social security, labour welfare and constitutional protections for workers engaged in non-traditional forms of employment.
His doctoral research examines the constitutional protection of gig and contractual workers, contributing to discussions on labour rights, social security measures and legal safeguards in the evolving digital economy.
At the core of Nikhil Chugh’s work is a mission to take legal literacy beyond courtrooms and law schools and bring it into homes, classrooms and communities across India. Through advocacy, writing, research and public engagement, he continues to work towards a more legally aware, constitutionally informed and empowered society.
