Shuchi Nagpal: Revolutionizing Cyber Law Education with Innovation and Perseverance

Shuchi Nagpal’s journey as a co-founder of the Asian School of Cyber Laws (ASCL) is one of determination, innovation, and resilience. Originally from Baroda, Gujarat, she moved to Pune to pursue a degree in mass communication, which set her on a unique professional path. Among the four founders of ASCL, three were lawyers, but Shuchi Nagpal stood out as the only non-lawyer.

Instead of viewing this as a limitation, she embraced it as an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to the world of cyber law education. Shuchi Nagpal initially attempted to study law but quickly became frustrated with the overly complex legal language. She began questioning why the law had to be so convoluted, a realization that ultimately shaped her career. Rather than focusing on mastering legal jargon, she concentrated on the practical application of laws in real-life scenarios.

This practical viewpoint would become one of her greatest strengths, resonating with the many students she would go on to teach. As a layperson, her ability to question and simplify the intricacies of law made her an invaluable asset to ASCL. Her fascination with the world of cyberspace began after earning her British Standards certification as an internal lead auditor in cyber security.

This certification marked the beginning of her deep involvement in the intersection of law and cyberspace, an area in which she has worked for over 25 years. Over the course of her career, ASCL has trained more than 150,000 students, and Shuchi has played a crucial role in every aspect of the organization’s growth—from education to customer relationship management.

In 2015, Shuchi recognized that the way students consumed information was rapidly changing. By 2016, she spearheaded a shift toward video content and embraced social media as an educational tool. Her forward-thinking approach involved integrating diverse forms of content, such as audio, video, bite-sized tutorials, long-form blogs, and live streams. These efforts helped ASCL cater to the evolving preferences of modern learners. Shuchi continues to explore new frontiers in education, with her current focus on leveraging AI and blockchain technology to revolutionize certification and learning processes, keeping the institution at the cutting edge of cyber law education.

Despite her many achievements, Shuchi’s path was not without obstacles. As a first-generation entrepreneur, she encountered gender discrimination and the added challenge of not being a professionally qualified lawyer in a field dominated by legal experts. However, rather than letting these setbacks hold her back, she turned them into strengths. Her non-legal background enabled her to approach law from a layperson’s viewpoint, allowing her to focus on how laws are applied in real-world situations.

This practical understanding helped her shape the curriculum at ASCL and offer students a more accessible and applicable education in cyber law. Shuchi also navigated the often-complicated landscape of legal compliance in India’s business environment, finding ways to address the challenges that came her way. Her perseverance, adaptability, and determination to break through barriers have been key factors in her success. She continues to advocate for making legal knowledge more accessible to non-lawyers, ensuring that cyber law education reaches as many people as possible.

Outside of her professional life, Shuchi is an avid reader and music lover. She enjoys both singing and listening to music, and she has a passion for engaging with people to understand how laws impact their everyday lives. Shuchi lives in Pune with her husband, Rohas Nagpal, a blockchain architect with HyFi Blockchain, and their two daughters. Her journey exemplifies the power of perseverance, adaptability, and the courage to challenge traditional norms, making her a true pioneer in the field of cyber law education.