CICTL Blog Writing Competition 2025 | MNLU Mumbai
About MNLU
Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai, established under the Maharashtra National Law University Act, 2014, stands as one of India’s premier National Law Universities. The University is steadily strengthening its academic, administrative, and financial infrastructure to meet the high standards expected of a Centre for Excellence, while upholding strict norms of propriety and transparency.
About the Competition
CICTL @ MNLU Mumbai, in collaboration with the Justice M. L. Pendse Chair in Environmental Law (MNLU Mumbai) invites you to participate in this exciting national blog competition. Join us in exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence, environmental law, and privacy.
Theme & Scope
This competition focuses on analytical examination of legal, regulatory, and policy issues at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Law and Data Privacy. We seek submissions that offer fresh perspectives on how AI technologies intersect with environmental governance, regulation, and data privacy. Submissions adopting comparative, empirical, doctrinal, or normative approaches are welcome.
Theme & Sub themes
- Theme 1: AI & Environmental Praxis: Regulating India’s Green-Tech Future
- The Carbon & Silicon Footprint: Are India’s Environmental Laws Ready for AI’s Energy Consumption and Hardware E-Waste Lifecycle?
- Liability for the Algorithm: Who Pays for AI-Driven Environmental Harm, Algorithmic Errors, or Failed Deployments?
- The Digital Enforcer: Legal Framework for Using AI in Implementing Climate Commitments and Biodiversity/Forest Governance.
- The EIA Black Box: Ensuring Transparency, Public Participation, and Accountability in AI-Integrated Environmental Impact Assessments.
- The Green Governance Gap: Does India Need a New AI-for-Environment” Framework to Mandate Green AI, or Can We Rely on Constitutional Duties and IP Incentives?
- Theme 2: Privacy in Praxis: India’s New
- Digital Privacy Regime The DPDP’s Legal Gap: Is Data Scraping for AI Training Lawful?
- Facial Recognition and the DPDPA’s Legitimate Use Exemption.
- The Verifiable Consent Challenge: Protecting Children (Under 18) or Perpetuating a Digital Divide?
- The Compliance Clash: DPDPA’s Consent-Centric Model with GDPR’s contractual necessity model.
- From Adequacy to “Blacklists”: India’s New Cross- Border Data Transfer Regulations.
Format & Requirements
- Word Limit: 1,200—1,500 words (excluding endnotes)
- Format: Analytical blog posts offering well-reasoned perspectives on AI and environmental law File
- Format & Formatting:
- Submit entries in MS Word (.doc/.docx) format only
- Main text: Times New Roman, font size 12, 1.5 spacing
- Footnotes (if any): Times New Roman, font size 10, single spacing
- Citation Style: Use hyperlinks for references wherever possible. Where citations are unavoidable, provide endnotes in OSCOLA (4th edition) format.
- Writing Style: Write for an informed but wide audience, prioritizing clear arguments over legal and technical jargon.
How to Submit?
Interested candidates can register online via the link given at the end of the post.
Fee
- Single authorship: INR 250/-
- Co-authorship: INR 500/-
Important dates
- Registration deadline: 15 January 2026
- Submission deadline: 20 January 2026
- Result date: 7 March 2026
Prizes
- Winner: 7000 Rupees + Certificate of Merit.
- First Runner-up (Both Categories): 5000 Rupees + Certificate of Merit.
- Second Runner-up (Both Categories): 3000 Rupees + Certificate of Merit.
Contact
For competition-related queries, please write to us at: cictl@mnlumumbai.edu.in
