Call for Papers: 4th NLIU-India Foundation Constitutional Law Symposium 2026
Call for Papers: 4th NLIU-India Foundation Constitutional Law Symposium 2026
The National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal, through its Manthan Centre for Knowledge & Policy Discussion, in collaboration with the India Foundation, is proud to announce the 4th NLIU-India Foundation Constitutional Law Symposium 2026.
This premier event brings together academicians, legal experts, and students to discuss contemporary constitutional issues. This year, the symposium focuses on the transformative impact of technology on the legal landscape.
📅 About the Event
The Symposium is a two-day event consisting of:
* Paper Presentation Competition: Held on the first day, focused on the theme "Intersection of Constitutional Law and Technology".
* Panel Discussions: Held on the second day, featuring reputed academicians and dignitaries discussing contemporary constitutional law issues.
Note: The top 20 (tentative) papers will be selected for presentation in a strictly offline mode. No exemptions regarding the mode will be granted.
⚖️ Themes and Sub-Themes
The central theme for the symposium is "Intersection of Constitutional Law and Technology". Participants are free to include any issue within the main theme, but the following is a suggestive list of topics:
Theme 1: Transitioning from Courts to Code
* E-Courts and Beyond: Reimagining Judicial System in Digital Arena
* Integration of AI in India's Judiciary and Law Enforcement
* Bridging the Digital Divide in Access to Justice
* Safeguarding Data Security and Privacy in Digital Courtrooms and Criminal Trials
* Comparative Approaches in Building a Digital Judicial System
Theme 2: Constitutionalism in the Age of Technology
* Digital Surveillance and Right to Privacy
* Free Speech in the Age of AI and Algorithms
* Safeguarding Electoral Integrity in the Digital Age
Any other constitutional law topic with contemporary relevance in India is also welcome.
🏆 Awards & Incentives
To encourage high-quality research, a total prize pool of ₹55,000 has been announced:
| Award Category | Prize Amount |
| Best Presenter | ₹ 25,000 |
| 1st Runner-Up | ₹ 15,000 |
| 2nd Runner-Up | ₹ 10,000 |
| Best Research Paper | ₹ 5,000 |
📚 Publication Opportunity:
Shortlisted manuscripts will be published in an edited book bearing an ISBN, published by the NLIU Manthan - Centre for Knowledge & Policy Discussion.
📝 Eligibility
The competition is open to:
* Academicians
* Lawyers
* Social Activists
* Research Scholars
* Students
📂 Submission Guidelines
Please adhere strictly to the following guidelines to avoid disqualification:
* Word Limit: 5000–8000 words. This limit is inclusive of the abstract and footnotes.
* Abstract: Each manuscript must contain an abstract of not more than 300 words.
* Co-Authorship: Allowed for up to three individuals (from the same or different institutions).
* Citation Style: Citations must conform to OSCOLA 4th Edition. Only footnotes are permitted; substantive footnoting is not allowed.
* Nature of Paper: Manuscripts must be highly analytical and arrive at a definite conclusion.
📄 Formatting Requirements
All submissions must follow this format strictly [cite: 47-53]:
* Margins: One inch (2.54 cm) on all four sides.
* Title: Times New Roman, Size 15, Bold, 2.0 line spacing, Centre-aligned.
* Headings: Times New Roman, Size 14, 1.5 line spacing, Centre-aligned.
* Sub-headings: Times New Roman, Size 13, Italicised, 1.5 line spacing, Centre-aligned.
* Main Body: Times New Roman, Size 12, 1.15 line spacing, Justified.
* Abstract: Times New Roman, Size 11, Italicised, 1.5 line spacing, Justified, Margins of 2.0.
* Footnotes: Times New Roman, Size 10, 1.0 line spacing, Justified.
🗓️ Important Deadlines
[cite_start]Mark these dates in your calendar:
* Abstract Submission: 2nd December 2025
* Intimation of Acceptance: 9th December 2025
* Date for Registrations: 12th December 2025
* Full Paper Submission: 25th December 2025
* Intimation of Final Acceptance: 6th January 2026
* Conference Date: To be notified
📞 Contact Information
For queries, you can contact the student convenors:
* Ronit Rampuriya (Convenor): +91 6265 056 936
* Bhavesh Basod (Co-Convenor): +91 94074 04808
* Email: manthan@nliu.ac.in
This post is for informational purposes only. Interested candidates should submit their abstracts via the official link provided by the organizers.