1st CLE National Article Writing Competition 2026 by CNLU: Cash Prizes of ₹45,000
Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna, has announced the 1st CLE National Article Writing Competition, 2026 on the theme “Competition Law in a Changing Market Order.” The competition invites law students to submit original, analytical and argumentative articles addressing contemporary developments in Indian competition law.
The competition focuses on important issues such as digital market regulation, platform power, abuse of dominance, artificial intelligence and antitrust, and cartel behaviour beyond traditional product markets. Winners will receive cash prizes and internship opportunities, making this an opportunity for students interested in competition law and legal research.
Competition Highlights
Competition: 1st CLE National Article Writing Competition, 2026
Organiser: CLE, Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna
Theme: Competition Law in a Changing Market Order
Total Cash Prizes: ₹45,000
Additional Recognition: Internship opportunities for the first, second and third prize winners
Eligible Participants: Undergraduate and postgraduate law students enrolled in recognised institutions in India
Registration Deadline: 10 November 2026
Article Submission Deadline: 30 November 2026
Registration Fee: ₹600 for single authorship; ₹1,000 for co-authorship
About Chanakya National Law University (CNLU)
Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) is a public, residential and autonomous law university located in Patna, Bihar. It was established on 15 July 2006 under Bihar Act No. 24 of 2006.
The university provides legal education and promotes legal research. Through this competition, participants are encouraged to engage with contemporary competition law issues and develop well-reasoned legal arguments.
About the Competition
The 1st CLE National Article Writing Competition, 2026, invites submissions on the broader theme “Competition Law in a Changing Market Order.” Participants are expected to examine developments in competition law through original analysis, critical reasoning and relevant legal research.
The competition is particularly relevant to students interested in how competition law responds to changing business models, digital platforms, algorithmic decision-making and emerging forms of market coordination.
Themes and Suggested Areas
Participants may write on any of the following themes or another closely related question within the broader competition law theme. The listed themes are indicative rather than exhaustive.
1. Regulating Digital Markets and Platform Power
Articles may examine:
- Ex-ante regulation versus ex-post enforcement.
- Data as a parameter of competition.
- Platform conduct and competition concerns.
- Merger control in the digital economy.
2. Abuse of Dominance and the Shift to Effects-Based Analysis
Potential areas include:
- Exploitative and exclusionary abuse of dominance.
- Rebates and discounts as competition concerns.
- Vertical restraints and their market effects.
- Dominance in digital and multi-sided markets.
3. AI, Algorithms and Antitrust
Participants may explore:
- Algorithmic collusion.
- Hub-and-spoke arrangements.
- Information exchange and data pooling.
- Competition law enforcement in markets using artificial intelligence.
4. Cartels and Collusion Beyond Product Markets
Possible topics include:
- Labour-market cartels.
- Employment restraints and competition concerns.
- Bid-rigging in public procurement.
- Cartel detection, deterrence and enforcement.
Participants should select a focused research question and develop a clear argument supported by appropriate legal authorities and analysis.
Eligibility and Authorship Rules
The competition is open to:
- Undergraduate law students enrolled in recognised law universities, colleges or institutions in India.
- Postgraduate law students enrolled in recognised law universities, colleges or institutions in India.
Authorship requirements:
- Individual submissions are permitted.
- Co-authorship is permitted for a maximum of two authors.
- Teams consisting of students from different institutions are allowed.
- Each participant may be associated with only one submission.
Article Submission Guidelines
Participants must comply with the prescribed requirements when preparing and submitting their manuscripts.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Originality | The article must be original, unpublished and not under simultaneous consideration elsewhere. |
| Word Limit | 3,000 words, excluding footnotes, abstract and references. |
| Abstract | 250 words. |
| Keywords | A maximum of five keywords. |
| Anonymisation | The manuscript must not reveal the author's name, institution or other identifying details. |
| Citation Style | The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation, 20th Edition. |
| Similarity Threshold | Maximum permitted similarity: 10%. |
| AI Tools | Using AI tools to draft, substantively edit or generate any part of the article is strictly prohibited. |
Important: The competition expressly prohibits the use of AI tools to draft, substantively edit or generate any part of the article. Participants should prepare their submissions independently and follow the official rules. This article provides information about the opportunity; it is not a draft or submission for the competition.
Virtual Panel Discussion on Competition Law
Alongside the competition, CLE will organise 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 practitioners from leading law firms to examine contemporary competition law challenges and issues connected with the competition's four themes. Participation in the panel discussion will be open to all.
Speakers:
- Mr. Avinash Amarnath — Partner, Chandhiok & Mahajan.
- Mr. Pranjal Prateek — Partner, Khaitan & Co.
- Ms. Shruti Aji Murali — Knowledge Management Counsel, Axiom5.
- Ms. Raveena K. Sethia — Principal Associate, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
Moderator: Ms. Anicham Tamilmani, Senior Associate, Axiom5.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Brochure Release and Registration Opens | 6 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Registration | 10 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Article Submission | 30 November 2026 |
| Results and Virtual Panel Discussion | 10 January 2027 |
Prizes and Internship Opportunities
The competition offers ₹45,000 in total cash prizes, along with internship opportunities for the top three winners.
| Position | Prize and Recognition |
|---|---|
| First Prize | ₹20,000 cash prize + internship opportunity |
| Second Prize | ₹15,000 cash prize + internship opportunity |
| Third Prize | ₹10,000 cash prize + internship opportunity |
| Top 10 Entries | Certificate of Merit |
| All Participants with Valid Submissions | Digital Certificate of Participation |
The total cash prize pool is calculated as ₹20,000 + ₹15,000 + ₹10,000 = ₹45,000. Details of the internship opportunities should be checked in the official brochure.
Registration Fees
The registration fee depends on whether the article is submitted by an individual author or a team of two authors.
| Submission Type | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Single Authorship | ₹600 |
| Co-authorship (two authors) | ₹1,000 |
Note: The registration fee is non-refundable. Registration must be completed through the official Google Form. After 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, according to the provided competition details.
How to Register
Eligible students can follow these steps to register for the competition:
- Read the official competition brochure carefully.
- Select a research topic related to competition law and the announced theme.
- Open the official Google Form using the link below.
- Complete the registration details and select the appropriate authorship category.
- Pay the applicable registration fee according to the official instructions.
- After registration, check the instructions received from CLE at CNLU regarding article submission.
- Prepare an anonymised manuscript that complies with the word limit, citation style, similarity threshold and AI-use restrictions.
- Submit the article by 30 November 2026, following the designated submission procedure.
Official Links and Contact
Registration Form:
Click here to register
Official Competition Brochure:
Download the brochure
Email:
cle@cnlu.ac.in
Why Should Law Students Participate?
This competition may be particularly relevant to students interested in competition law, corporate law, technology regulation, economic analysis and legal research.
- Explore current developments in Indian competition law.
- Develop independent legal research and analytical writing skills.
- Examine the relationship between market power, technology and regulation.
- Compete for cash prizes totalling ₹45,000.
- Compete for internship opportunities offered to the top three winners.
- Become eligible for merit and participation certificates, subject to the stated conditions.
- Attend the associated virtual panel discussion on 10 January 2027.
Competition Summary
| Competition Name | 1st CLE National Article Writing Competition, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Organiser | CLE, Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna |
| Theme | Competition Law in a Changing Market Order |
| Eligibility | Undergraduate and postgraduate law students in India |
| Word Limit | 3,000 words, excluding footnotes, abstract and references |
| Registration Fee | ₹600 individual; ₹1,000 co-authorship |
| Total Cash Prizes | ₹45,000 |
| Registration Deadline | 10 November 2026 |
| Article Submission Deadline | 30 November 2026 |
| Panel Discussion and Results | 10 January 2027 at 2:00 PM for the panel discussion |
Register Before 10 November 2026
Interested in competition law, digital markets, AI and antitrust? Review the official guidelines and register before the deadline.
Register for the CompetitionDisclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes. Eligibility criteria, dates, registration fees, prizes, internship opportunities and submission procedures are based on the information provided in the competition announcement and may be subject to change. Participants should read the official brochure and follow the organiser's latest instructions before registering or submitting an article.
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