Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai, through its Centre for Information Communication Technology and Law (CICTL), has announced the CICTL Blog Writing Competition 2026 in collaboration with the Justice M. L. Pendse Chair in Environmental Law. This academic initiative offers a prestigious platform for law students and aspiring legal academics to engage with contemporary issues in Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Law, and Data Privacy.
Positioned as a valuable higher education opportunity, the competition encourages analytical legal writing and policy-oriented research—skills that are increasingly essential for careers in teaching, research, and academic publishing. With attractive cash prizes, publication opportunities, and paid internships with reputed organizations, this initiative aligns well with students preparing for law institutions across India.
Position Details
- Opportunity Type: Academic Blog Writing Competition
- Host Institution: Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai
- Organising Centre: Centre for Information Communication Technology and Law (CICTL)
- Academic Focus: Legal Research, Policy Analysis & Scholarly Writing
- Mode of Participation: Online Submission
- Ideal For: Law students, future academicians, research-oriented candidates
Departments / Academic Themes Covered
This opportunity aligns with multiple academic specialization areas, including:
- Artificial Intelligence & Technology Law (Teaching & Research Focus)
- Environmental Law and Policy (Faculty & Research Posts)
- Data Protection & Privacy Law (Emerging Law Teaching Areas)
- Interdisciplinary Legal Studies
- Public Policy & Regulatory Law
About the Institution
Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai, is one of India’s premier National Law Universities, established to advance legal education, research, and policy discourse. The university places strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, practical exposure, and socially relevant legal research. Through specialized centres like CICTL, MNLU Mumbai actively contributes to debates around law, technology, governance, and sustainability.
Job Location
- Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Eligibility & Qualifications
- Students enrolled in 5-Year or 3-Year LL.B. programmes
- Law colleges/universities recognized by the Bar Council of India
- Individual or joint submissions (maximum two authors)
- Original, unpublished work only
- Word limit: 1500–2000 words (excluding endnotes)
- Submissions must be anonymised and not under review elsewhere
Salary, Prizes & Academic Benefits
While this is not a salaried teaching post, the competition offers high-value academic rewards beneficial for CVs, PhD applications, and faculty recruitment:
- Winner: ₹7,000 + Certificate of Merit
- First Runner-Up: ₹5,000 + Certificate of Merit
- Second Runner-Up: ₹3,000 + Certificate of Merit
- Publication on the official CICTL Blog
- Social media feature by CICTL
- Paid internship opportunities with Royzz & Co. and Burger King India (subject to interview)
How to Apply
Interested candidates must register and submit their entries through the official registration link provided in the competition brochure.
- Registration Fee: ₹300 (single author), ₹500 (co-authorship)
- Submission Mode: Online
- Contact Email: cictl@mnlumumbai.edu.in
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | 15 January 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | 20 January 2026 |
| Result Declaration | 7 March 2026 |
Official Notification
The official brochure and detailed notification are available through the organisers. Candidates are advised to read all guidelines carefully before submission. Posters and notification images are for reference only and should not be treated as the sole source of information.
- Official Brochure: CLICK HERE
FAQs – Blog Writing Competition 2026
1. Is this opportunity useful for aspiring law faculty?
Yes. Publication, research exposure, and academic recognition significantly strengthen profiles for assistant professor and research-based college jobs.
2. Can first-year law students apply?
Yes. Students from any year of a 3-year or 5-year LL.B. programme may participate.
3. Is prior publication experience required?
No prior publication is mandatory. Original analytical thinking and legal reasoning are key evaluation criteria.
4. Can co-authors belong to different institutions?
Yes, co-authors may be from different law colleges, provided eligibility criteria are met.
