CICTL Blog Writing Competition 2025
CICTL Blog Writing Competition 2025
Competition Overview
The Centre for Information Communication Technology and Law (CICTL), Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) Mumbai, is organizing its inaugural Blog Writing Competition 2025. The competition is conducted in collaboration with the Justice M. L. Pendse Chair in Environmental Law, MNLU Mumbai.
The initiative seeks to promote contemporary legal research at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, environmental governance, and data privacy.
Theme and Scope
The central theme of the competition is AI, Environment, and Privacy. Participants are invited to submit analytical blog articles examining legal, regulatory, and policy challenges arising from the interaction between artificial intelligence, environmental law, and data protection. Submissions are expected to offer original perspectives and critical insights into emerging governance frameworks.
Indicative Sub-Themes
Theme I: AI and Environmental Praxis – Regulating India’s Green-Tech Future
• AI’s carbon footprint and electronic waste lifecycle under Indian environmental laws
• Liability for AI-driven environmental damage and algorithmic failures
• Use of AI as a regulatory and enforcement tool for climate and biodiversity commitments
• Transparency and accountability in AI-integrated Environmental Impact Assessments
• Need for a dedicated “AI-for-Environment” regulatory framework versus reliance on constitutional duties and IP incentives
Theme II: Privacy in Praxis – India’s New Digital Privacy Regime
• Lawfulness of data scraping for AI training under the DPDP Act
• Facial recognition technologies and legitimate use exemptions
• Verifiable consent and child data protection under the DPDPA
• Conflicts between India’s consent-based model and GDPR’s contractual necessity approach
• Cross-border data transfers and India’s emerging regulatory controls
Eligibility
The competition is open to students, academicians, legal practitioners, policy professionals, and interdisciplinary researchers. All submissions must be original, unpublished, and of high academic quality.
Submission Guidelines
Formatting Requirements
• Word limit: 1,500–2,000 words (excluding endnotes); longer submissions may be accepted at the discretion of the Editorial Board
• File format: MS Word (.doc/.docx) only
• Main text: Times New Roman, font size 12, 1.5 line spacing, justified
• Headings: Times New Roman, font size 14, 1.5 spacing, centrally aligned
• Footnotes: Times New Roman, font size 10, single spacing
• Anonymity: Manuscripts must not contain author names, institutional details, acknowledgments, or any identifying information
Citation Style
• Hyperlinks should be used wherever possible, particularly for recent statutes and amendments
• Endnotes, where required, must follow OSCOLA (4th edition) citation style
Plagiarism and AI Policy
• Submissions must be entirely original and unpublished
• Similarity exceeding 15% will result in rejection
• Use of AI tools for drafting or content generation is strictly prohibited
• Plagiarism will lead to immediate disqualification and banning from the competition
Co-Authorship
• A maximum of two authors is permitted per submission
Prizes and Recognition
Cash Prizes
• Winner: ₹7,000 and Certificate of Merit
• First Runner-up (each category): ₹5,000 and Certificate of Merit
• Second Runner-up (each category): ₹3,000 and Certificate of Merit
Internship Opportunities
• Winners and first runners-up will be considered for paid internships with Royzz & Co. and Burger King India
• The Burger King India internship will be subject to a selection interview
Publication and Visibility
• All winning entries will be published on the official CICTL Blog
• Selected winners will be featured on CICTL’s social media platforms
Important Dates
• Registration Deadline: 15 January 2026
• Submission Deadline: 20 January 2026
• Declaration of Results: 7 March 2026
Registration Details
Participants must complete registration through the designated Google Form.
Registration Fees
• Single authorship: ₹300
• Co-authorship: ₹500
Contact Information
For queries and clarifications, participants may contact:
• Revant Sinha (Student Convenor): +91 78270 76105
• Om Dambhare (Associate Convenor): +91 93072 24566
• Ritesh Karale: +91 93593 07137
Faculty and Centre Coordination
• Faculty In-Charge: Ms. Aastha Tiwari, Assistant Professor (Law)
• Centre Co-ordinator: Ms. Shweta Bhuyan, Research Assistant (Law)