The V.M. Salgaocar College of Law (VMSCL) owes its existence to the visionary leadership of Late Shri V.M. Salgaocar, a philanthropist, industrialist, and the founder of the Devi Sharvani Education Society. His immense love for the State of Goa and its people led the renowned Indian writer and biographer, Frank Simoes, to describe him as “Goa’s first true renaissance man.” Shri Salgaocar’s life was a saga of resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to social upliftment.

Born into a humble family in Goa, Shri V.M. Salgaocar faced adversity from a very young age. At just ten years old, he was compelled to become the sole breadwinner for his family, thereby forgoing formal education and entering into the struggle for survival. Despite these hardships, his empathy for the common people, especially students aspiring to pursue higher education in law, remained unwavering. Many students in Goa were unable to pursue their dreams of legal education due to financial and logistical barriers. This gap inspired him to form the Devi Sharvani Educational Society and spearhead the establishment of Goa’s first law college.

On June 27, 1973, his dream became a reality when the M.S. College of Law was inaugurated by His Excellency Lt. Gov. S.K. Banerji, in the presence of Chief Minister Shri D.B. Bandodkar, in Altinho, Panaji. The college, initially affiliated with the University of Bombay, enrolled its first batch of 373 students in the LL.B. (General)/LL.B. Degree course for the academic year 1973-74. Classes were held in three divisions, catering to both full-time and part-time students.

No effort was spared in ensuring that high-quality legal education was imparted at M.S. College of Law. Distinguished visiting professors were invited to deliver lectures on critical topics such as Crime and Punishment, Criminal Jurisprudence, Labour Law, Sales Tax Law, and Company Law. The excellence of the first batch was evident as one student secured a first-class at the University examination, and another received a Bar-at-Law scholarship for the highest marks in Principles of Contract.

M.S. College of Law also made its mark in the field of sports, with one of its students, Shri Torres Martins, being conferred the title of ‘Fastest Man of Goa’ in athletics.

The college made a landmark contribution to experiential learning by introducing its first Moot Court Competition in January 1975. This year also saw the establishment of the Students’ Union and the drafting of its Constitution, paving the way for student governance and representation.

In 1980, the college relocated to a spacious, three-story building spanning 2525.72 square meters, located near the scenic Miramar Beach in Panaji. This new campus boasted state-of-the-art infrastructure, including well-ventilated classrooms, and a dedicated library on the second floor. This move enabled the college to break barriers, attracting students from various backgrounds and fulfilling their dreams of legal education. In 1997, after the demise of Shri V.M. Salgaocar, the college was renamed V.M. Salgaocar College of Law (VMSCL) as a tribute to its founder, following a Governing Council decision.

In 1998, the college introduced the five-year LL.B. Hons. program alongside the existing three-year LL.B. degree course. The curriculum was designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, including moot court sessions, internships with practicing advocates, and interactions with distinguished members of the Bar and Bench. That same year, the Legal Aid Society was established, setting up Legal Aid Cells across Goa and exemplifying the college’s motto: Excellentia, Justitia et Humanitas (Excellence in Legal Education, In Pursuit of Justice, and Service to Humanity).

In 2012, the college phased out the LL.B. (Hons.) program and introduced the Five-Year Integrated BALLB program to keep pace with changing legal education needs. Over the course of its five-decade legacy, VMSCL has earned numerous accolades, including being the first law college in India to receive an “A” grade by NAAC and the first to secure the All-India Institutional Excellence Award in 2011.

Today, V.M. Salgaocar College of Law offers a wide range of academic programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, including a Diploma in Civil Law and various certificate courses. With 27 Legal Aid Cells across Goa and four specialized law clinics, the college’s commitment to social responsibility is exemplary. The college has won multiple awards for its community engagement, including the prestigious Legal Aid Award by Knowledge Steez for three consecutive years, as well as the Herbert Smith Freehills Community Engagement Award for the Child Rights Clinic.

VMSCL’s infrastructure is designed to support academic excellence, with spacious, air-conditioned classrooms equipped with Smart Boards and internet access. The college also boasts modern faculty staff rooms, a well-resourced Moot Court room, a fully equipped conference hall, a gymnasium, and a Book Bank, among other facilities.

VMSCL students continue to excel in national and international competitions. The college is renowned for hosting Lex Infinitum, the prestigious International Dispute Resolution Competition, where top teams from around the globe participate. Additionally, the Justice G.D. Kamat Memorial National Moot Court Competition allows budding lawyers to engage in the art of mooting.

The college places a strong emphasis on the holistic development of students, organizing events like Kaushalya, the Inter-Collegiate Competition where talent meets creativity. Despite being a professional institution, VMSCL encourages active participation in sports. The college’s students have excelled in various sports disciplines, including badminton, table tennis, weightlifting, football, taekwondo, and powerlifting, emerging champions at both state and national levels.

Under the guidance of its visionary Chairman, Shri Dattaraj V. Salgaocar, the college continues to embody the ideals and legacy of its founder. With the planned relocation to a sprawling new campus at Goalim Moula on Kadamba Plateau, VMSCL is poised to enter an exciting new phase of growth.

As the college celebrates five decades of excellence, it takes pride in the generations of students who have passed through its portals and gone on to become distinguished lawyers, judges, and policymakers. VMSCL continues to illuminate the path forward, inspire future generations, and innovate in the field of legal education.