Call for Papers for 2-Day International Collegium on ESG by Christ Academy Institute of Law: Submit by October 15!

Christ Academy Institute of Law and CEERA, NLSIU invite abstracts for their hybrid International Collegium on ESG on November 23–24, 2026. Submit by October 15, 2026.

About Christ Academy Institute of Law

Christ Academy Institute of Law (CAIL), Bengaluru, is affiliated with Karnataka State Law University. Established and managed by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate congregation, CAIL focuses on developing intellectually vibrant, ethically grounded and socially responsible legal professionals.

The institution is entering its decennial year and is committed to the pursuit of justice, truth and peace.

About the Opportunity

The Christ Academy Institute of Law, Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental Law, Education, Research and Advocacy (CEERA), National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, is organising a Two-Day International Collegium on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG).

The International Collegium is an academic forum bringing together academicians, researchers, practitioners, policymakers and corporate professionals from law and non-law backgrounds to examine the evolving architecture of ESG.

The Call for Papers invites original and unpublished research papers through abstract submissions. Selected participants will have the opportunity to present their papers at the Collegium. Selected papers may also be considered for publication in an edited volume carrying an ISBN.

About CEERA-NLSIU

The Centre for Environmental Law, Education, Research and Advocacy (CEERA) at the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, is a research centre focusing on environmental law, policy research, networking among environmental stakeholders and development of an environmental law community.

About the International Collegium

The Collegium will examine the legal, institutional, economic, environmental and social dimensions of ESG. It will address the interaction between corporate governance, sustainable development, finance, human rights, environmental regulation and public policy.

The discussions will also consider issues such as greenwashing, ESG ratings and data integrity, supply-chain responsibility, climate-related risks, social justice, human rights, technological disruption and the application of ESG standards across jurisdictions and sectors.

Mode

The International Collegium will be conducted in hybrid mode, with online participation through Google Meet.

Location

The offline venue is Christ Academy Institute of Law, Christ Nagar, Hullahalli, Begur-Koppa Road, Sakkalawara Post, Bengaluru–560083. The Collegium takes place on November 23–24, 2026.

Theme and Sub-Themes

The Call for Papers covers the following sub-themes:

ESG and Corporate Governance

• Board responsibility and directors’ duties
• ESG and stakeholder governance
• Corporate accountability and transparency
• Shareholder activism and institutional investors
• ESG and corporate decision-making
• Ethics, integrity and responsible business conduct
• Greenwashing and ESG credibility

ESG Regulation and Legal Frameworks

• ESG regulation in India and comparative jurisdictions
• ESG vis-à-vis Corporate Social Responsibility
• SEBI, BRSR and BRSR Core
• ESG and company and securities law
• Mandatory versus voluntary ESG standards
• ESG disclosure, assurance and accountability
• Cross-border and transnational ESG regulation

Environmental and Social Dimensions of ESG

• Climate change and corporate responsibility
• Biodiversity, natural resources and environmental protection
• Climate justice and just transition
• Human rights and business responsibility
• Labour, diversity and inclusion
• Community rights and social impact

ESG, Finance, Markets and Supply Chains

• ESG investing and sustainable finance
• Green bonds and sustainability-linked finance
• ESG ratings and assessment methodologies
• Responsible supply-chain management
• Human rights and environmental due diligence
• ESG and multinational enterprises

Emerging Issues and the Future of ESG

• Artificial intelligence, technology and ESG
• ESG data and algorithmic assessment
• Data quality, standardisation and comparability
• ESG litigation and corporate accountability
• ESG and public policy
• Comparative and transnational perspectives
• Beyond ESG: rethinking corporate responsibility and sustainability

Eligibility Criteria

The Call for Papers is open to:

• Academicians
• Researchers
• Research scholars
• Professionals
• Practitioners
• Policymakers
• Corporate professionals
• Industry representatives
• Members of civil society
• Participants from law, non-law and interdisciplinary backgrounds interested in ESG and its evolving dimensions

A maximum of one co-participant is permitted for each abstract submission.

Fee Structure

The registration fee is ₹1,500 per participant and is non-refundable. Co-participants register jointly through one form and pay their combined individual fees.

Registration for paper presentation opens only after abstract acceptance. Attendees who do not wish to present may register separately, subject to seat availability. Registered presenters do not need a separate attendee registration.

Publication

Selected papers submitted for publication consideration will be published in an edited volume with an ISBN, subject to receipt of a sufficient number of good-quality academic papers and compliance with the submission guidelines.

Hard copies of the edited volume will be available to participants at an additional cost to be communicated after publication.

Full Paper Submission and Review

Full papers are not required before or during the Collegium. Authors whose abstracts are accepted and who present their work will be invited to submit revised full papers by January 30, 2027, incorporating discussion and feedback from the sessions.

Publication is subject to editorial and double-blind peer review, academic quality and compliance with the submission guidelines. Submission does not guarantee publication. The brochure sets a 10% ceiling for similarity and AI-generated content and allows revision before a final acceptance decision.

Awards and Certificates

The Best Paper Presentation Award carries ₹5,000 and a certificate of merit. All registered participants will receive an e-certificate subject to attendance at every session.

Travel allowance, daily allowance and accommodation are not provided. Participants must arrange their own travel, accommodation and incidental expenses.

Important Dates

The last date for submission of abstracts is October 15, 2026.

Confirmation of abstract acceptance will be communicated by October 20, 2026.

The last date for registration is October 25, 2026.

The International Collegium will be held on November 23–24, 2026.

The last date for submission of the full paper for consideration of publication is January 30, 2027.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Participants must submit an abstract of 200–250 words in Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) format through the designated Abstract Submission Form.

Each submission must include:

• Title of the paper
• Name, designation, institutional details and contact details of the participant(s)
• Sub-theme, or “Other” if the paper does not fall under a listed sub-theme
• Abstract of 200–250 words
• 5–6 keywords

The abstract must be submitted through the designated form by October 15, 2026. Submission constitutes an undertaking that the proposed paper is original and that the information provided is accurate.

Contact

For queries, email esgcollegium@calaw.in.

• Dr. Mohamed Saalim: +91 8907180535.
• Mr. Vikas Gahlot: +91 7290807345.
• Mr. Sreehari V.S.: +91 9961344040.

Application Procedure

Submit an original 200–250 word abstract in Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) through the abstract-submission form. Include the paper title, participant details, sub-theme and five to six keywords. One co-participant is permitted. Google sign-in is required for file uploads.

After abstract acceptance, complete presenter registration and pay the applicable fee by October 25, 2026. Those attending without a presentation may use the participant-registration form. Co-participants use a joint registration and pay ₹1,500 each.

Abstract submissions close on October 15, 2026. Acceptance is scheduled to be communicated by October 20; registration closes on October 25.