The Competition invites original, analytical, and argumentative articles on the theme “Competition Law in a Changing Market Order.” It seeks to encourage critical engagement with contemporary developments in Indian competition law, including the regulation of digital markets and platform power, abuse of dominance and effects-based analysis, AI and algorithmic conduct, and cartels beyond traditional product markets.

Participants may write on any of the following themes or a closely related question falling within the broader theme:

• Regulating Digital Markets and Platform Power— including ex-ante versus ex-post regulation, data as a competition parameter, platform conduct, and merger control in the digital economy.
• Abuse of Dominance and the Shift to Effects-Based Analysis — including exploitative and exclusionary abuse, rebates, discounts, vertical restraints, and dominance in digital or multi-sided markets.
• AI, Algorithms, and Antitrust — including algorithmic collusion, hub-and-spoke arrangements, information exchange and data pooling, and enforcement design.
• Cartels and Collusion Beyond Product Markets — including labour-market cartels, employment restraints, bid-rigging in public procurement, and detection and deterrence.

The themes and sub-themes are indicative rather than exhaustive. Articles that engage seriously with any of the above themes, even if they do not map neatly onto a specific sub-heading, will be considered.

Eligibility and Authorship

The Competition is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in a recognised law university, college, or institution in India. Co-authorship is permitted for a maximum of two authors, and cross-institutional teams are allowed. Each participant may be associated with only one submission.

Submission Requirements

• The article must be an original, unpublished work and must not be under simultaneous consideration elsewhere.
• The word limit is 3,000 words, excluding footnotes, abstract, and references.
• Each manuscript must include an abstract of 250 words and a maximum of five keywords.
• The manuscript must be anonymised and must not disclose the author's name, institution, or other identifying details.
• Footnotes must conform to The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (20th ed.).
• The permitted similarity threshold is 10%.
• The use of AI tools to draft, substantively edit, or generate any part of the article is strictly prohibited.

Registration and Fees

• Single authorship: INR 600
• Co-authorship (two authors): INR 1,000

Registration must be completed through the official Google Form. Upon successful registration, participants will receive further submission instructions from cle@cnlu.ac.in. Submissions made through any channel other than the designated Google Form will not be considered. The registration fee is non-refundable.

Virtual Panel Discussion

Alongside the Competition, CLE will host a virtual panel discussion on “Competition Law in a Changing Market Order” on 10 January 2027 at 2:00 PM. The discussion will bring together distinguished practitioners from leading law firms to examine contemporary challenges in competition law and engage with the issues arising across the Competition's four themes.

The panel will feature Mr. Avinash Amarnath (Partner, Chandhiok & Mahajan), Mr. Pranjal Prateek (Partner, Khaitan & Co.), Ms. Shruti Aji Murali (Knowledge Management Counsel, Axiom5), and Ms. Raveena K. Sethia (Principal Associate, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.), with Ms. Anicham Tamilmani (Senior Associate, Axiom5) as the moderator. Participation in the panel discussion will be open to all.

Important Dates

• Release of Brochure and Commencement of Registration: 6 October 2026
• Last Date for Registration: 10 November 2026
• Last Date for Submission: 30 November 2026
• Declaration of Results and Panel Discussion: 10 January 2027

Prizes

The top three entries will receive cash prizes of INR 20,000, INR 15,000, and INR 10,000 respectively, along with internship opportunities. The top ten entries overall will receive a Certificate of Merit, and all participants making valid submissions will receive a digital Certificate of Participation.

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/zSnmPWDfXB68TuLTA

Click here for Brochure