Nationality: Indian

Country of Residence: India

Nominator: Tanja Masson-Zwaan

Supporters: Setsuko Aoki, Steven Freeland, Sridhara Murthi, Narayan Prasad Nagendra, Lesley Jane Smith

Professional path (including present position)
Present position: Partner, Dua Associates Law offices, New Delhi since 2005, where I have established a space sector advisory to assist decision makers as also commercial space start-ups; independent law practice (2005-2000); Principal, Vaish Associates Law offices, New Delhi (1999- 1995); Consultant World Bank, New Delhi (1984-86) ; Indian Council for Research International Economic Relations ( 1983- 1984) ; Lectured History at Nowrosjee Wadia College, Pune, India (1973-1976).

Education and degree
LL.M, Institute of Air and Space Law, Faculty of Law, McGill University, Canada (2004) (dissertation title: Regulating Satellite Communications in India); Ph.D. (Constitutional History) University of Pune (1998) ; LL.B Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, India (1995); Master of Arts (History), University of Pune, Maharashtra ( 1973) ; Bachelor of Arts (History & Political Science) , Elphinstone College, University of Mumbai, Maharashtra ( 1971).

Main publications in English
Approximately 40 publications, including (i) “Recent developments in space business and regulation’, in Routledge Handbook on Space Law 2024 at pp 193-214, ( eds.) Lesley Jane Smith, Ingo Baumann, Susan-Gale Wintermuth;(ii) “Advancing Space Activities in the 21st Century: Emerging Technologies and Regulatory Challenges” in Indian Review of Air and Space Law, Vol.1 2023, at pp. 13-31 (ed. Riya Kadam), Centre for Research in Air and Space Law, Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai; (iii) “Recent Space Reforms in India : Perspectives on Policy and Law” in Journal of Space Law Vol.44.2, 2020 at pp. 450-482 (ed. M. Hanlon) , Centre for Air and Space Law, University of Mississippi, School of Law; (iv) “Regulation of Navigational Satellites in India” in Ram S Jakhu and Paul Stephen Dempsey (eds.)
Routledge Handbook on Space Law (2017) pp. 313-318; (v) IISL proceedings: Legal Regime for GNSS for CNS/ATM for INDIA: Application of Articles VI & VII Outer Space Treaty to the GAGAN SBAS, Proceedings of the IISL 2011 (Eleven Publishing, 2012), p. 349-358; (vi) “International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities” in Ajey Lele (ed.) Decoding the International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities, Pentagon Security International (2012) Institute of Defence Studies & Analysis, New Delhi; (vii) “Regulation of Space Activities in India” Kaul& Jakhu , in Ram S Jakhu (ed.) National Regulation of Space Activities (Springer 2010) .
Presentations, including : (i) National Space Security Policy, Indian Defence Space Symposium (April 2024); (ii) Legal and Policy Aspects linked to Utilization of Outer Space , Indian Defence Space Symposium (2023) ; (iii) SSA and STM -Registration, Liability and Policy , ISRO & Indian Astronautical Association (2023); (iv) Exploitation of Technology by Non State Actors, Indian Defence University (2022); (v) Outer Space and Environment Protection, On-line Certificate Course on Law of Outer Space, JLU Law School, Bhopal (2021); (iii) Legal Aspects of the Military Use of Outer Space, Indian Defence University, New Delhi (2019); (iv) Exploration and use of Outer Space ‘without discrimination’, Forum for Integrated Defence Security, New Delhi (2018); (v) India- Managing Climate Change for Long Term Sustainable Development, IAA/IISL International Conference, Kerala, India (2015).

Membership and professional affiliation
International Institute of Space Law (IISL); Bar Council of India; Supreme Bar Association; High Court of Delhi Bar Association; International Foundation For Aviation, Aerospace & Drones, Canada (IFAAD); Women in Aviation International (WIA India) ; Satellite Professional International. Dr. Kaul is on the Editorial Board of Room, the Space Journal of Asgardia https://room.eu.com/board

Awards and other accomplishments
7th Dr Sarojini Naidu International Award 2023 for distinguished service in the legal profession; Forbes Indian Legal Power list 2022 - Top Individual Lawyer (Aerospace); IISL Distinguished Service Award 2017 “…for services as chairperson of IISL Membership Committee, . her support for Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court competitions, particularly Asia-Pacific region, her contributions to the IISL Colloquia and conferences, and her championing role in building awareness on development of national space legislation” at IAC, Adelaide (Australia); Nicholas Mateesco Matte Prize (2004) Masters, Faculty of Law, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Icchalkaranji Prize and Daji Bhau Laad Prize (1973) Masters, Department of History, University of Pune Maharashtra, India.

Space law expertise
Member, National Advisory Committee (Subject Expert), Indian Space Association (ISpA). https:// ispa.space/national-advisory-committee-members.html ; Founding member and Secretary-General Spaceport Sarabhai (S2), India’s only independent space focused think tank. https:// www.spaceportsarabhai.org/.
I serve on the Board of Trustees of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Programme for Young People (India); Community Aid & Sponsorship Programme, Pune, India (supports education of underprivileged children, adult literacy, and skill training); and serve as Chairperson, The Elisabeth Gauba School, New Delhi, the earliest early learning centre in New Delhi, established in 1938. I have previously served as Member, Delhi State Commission for Women, the statutory body that provides alternate dispute resolution to women in adverse circumstances.

IISL Position applied for
Vice President

Specify your relationship with the IISL
My introduction to IISL was in 2005, when I presented on ‘National Space Legislation - A Blueprint for India’ at the ISRO /IISL Space Law Conference, at the IAA/IISL Asia-Pacific Regional Space Conference in Bangalore. I became a IISL member soon after. I served the IISL membership committee for ten years, as member and chair. I have served several years on the IISL Awards Committee and the Committee in charge of abstract selection and coordination of IISL sessions at the annual IAC. I have contributed to the IISL Working Group on Cyber Law (legal aspects of cyber security for space assets). I attend the IAC and IISL Colloquia regularly, often serving as rapporteur or co-chair. I have actively engaged with the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Competition, as judge at the semi-final rounds during the World Finals held at the IAC, for Asia-Pacific regional rounds, both as judge at the oral rounds and evaluating memorials, and as judge for the final selection round in India. I continue to present and conduct workshops in India at the invitation of government entities and universities, have published nationally and internationally and received 2017 IISL Distinguished Service Award.
As Director, I have in April 2024 helped coordinate with the ISRO participation of the Indian delegation in the IISL/ECSL symposium and been an active member of the IISL Directorate of Studies. In January 2024 I was invited by UN OOSA to be part of the Regional Space Technical Advisory Mission to Asia and the Pacific, to deliver a presentation on the topic of Authorisation and licensing of commercial telecommunications and EO services. In September 2023 I was invited to participate as a panellist in the UN Space Science Summit session on “Space and Sustainability-Space Compacts to Achieve the UN Space Agenda 2030” to speak on developments related to India’s new space activities in the implementation of UN SDG in the country.

Specify the reason for applying for the postition and how you can serve IISL
I am applying for nomination as Vice President of the Institute because I would like to expand my participation in IISL activities, and to amplify IISL activities into deeper engagements in India, SE Asia and West Asia. My recent experience as member of the Regional Space Technical Advisory Mission to Asia and the Pacific convinces me about the need to create awareness of space law and policy and law, as new space actors join in.
As member of the National Advisory Committee, I am working with decision makers to build institutional capacity in international space law and its translation into policy. In this effort I intend to collaborate with the IISL which is the repository of expertise and to draw upon its vast reservoir of domain knowledge. I also propose to continue engaging with think-tanks on international space matters, as well as with commercial space startups that require advice on applicable normative laws including related to intersections with international obligations.

Name, Surname of Nominator
Tanja Masson-Zwaan


Nominator's reasons for nominating the nominee
Ranjana Kaul has been a member of IISL for nearly 20 years and a board member since 2021. She served as a member and chair of the IISL membership committee, the IISL Awards Committee and the IISL Directorate of Studies, and has been an active contributor to the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition for many years.

Her activities as a practising lawyer and academic in the space sector in India, one of the major space powers and on the verge of developing a commercial space sector, are noteworthy. Her efforts in stimulating new businesses and advising space startups and young entrepreneurs in India through the ‘space sector advisory’ at her law firm deserve special mention.

Her publications, including in the IISL proceedings and the recent Routledge Handbook on Space Law, are a testament to her active academic life.
As a member of the National Advisory Committee of the Indian Space Association (ISpA) and founding member and Secretary-General of Spaceport Sarabhai, India’s only independent space-focused think tank, she can promote deeper engagement of the IISL in the Asia Pacific and specifically West Asia.

India has no other voting member on the IISL Board and I consider it of the highest importance to support her candidacy as Vice-President of the Institute. I am convinced she will be of great value to the Institute in this new position, where she can expand her responsibilities and involvement with the Institute's activities. For all these reasons, I am pleased to nominate her for election as Vice-President of IISL.

Supporters:

Setsuko Aoki

Steven Freeland

Sridhara Murthi

Narayan Prasad Nagendra

Lesley Jane Smith