Prof. Rao holds a Master’s degree in Law from Kakatiya University, Warangal, Master of Philosophy in Law from National Law School, Bangalore and Ph.D. from Delhi University.Prof. Rao has actively involved with legal education and research in India at four National Law Schools: National Law School of India University, Bangalore (1990-1995 & 1997-98), NALSAR, Hyderabad (1998-2004), Gujarat National Law University, Gandhi Nagar (2004-2007) and National Law University, Delhi (2010-14) including short stint with Jawaharlal Nehru University (1995-96) and University of Delhi (1996-97).He was a member of the UGC expert committee in Law to transform legal education in India (2010-2012). He was a visiting fellow at School of Oriental & African Studies, SOAS, London (2013) and University of Washington at Seattle (2012), He has engaged with several research projects with UKERI, UNDP, Law Commission of India and Ministry of Law and Justice etc.He was a consultant to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Swedish Development Cooperation (SDC), Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT), Child Rights and You (CRY) and Swedish National Science Foundation (SNSF).His research interests include Criminal law, Human Rights, legal education and Access to Justice.