1st RGNUL-CCL Essay Writing Competition 2026 [Cash Prizes Rs 22K]: Register by October 15!

The Chair on Consumer Law (CCL), RGNUL invites essays on Consumer Law with cash prizes totalling ₹22,000. Register by October 15, 2026.

About Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab was established by the State Legislature of Punjab through the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab Act, 2006 (Punjab Act No. 12 of 2006) as a national-level institution of legal education with the objective of developing a Centre of Excellence in Legal Education. RGNUL received approval from the Bar Council of India (BCI) in July 2006 and is registered with the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956. The University has been accredited with an ‘A’ Grade by NAAC and was granted autonomy under the UGC Regulations in April 2018. RGNUL offers a five-year integrated law programme, LL.M. and Ph.D. programmes, with over 1,000 students pursuing legal education at its residential campus.

About the Chair on Consumer Law, RGNUL

The Chair on Consumer Law (CCL), RGNUL, Punjab has been established under the aegis of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India. The Chair aims to institutionalise consumer law research and education and foster research, informed discourse and awareness regarding consumer rights and remedies, particularly in the context of an increasingly digital marketplace.

About the Event

The 1st RGNUL-CCL Essay Writing Competition 2026 is being organised by the Chair on Consumer Law (CCL), Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab. The competition focuses on contemporary developments and emerging challenges within the field of Consumer Law. Participants are encouraged to engage with issues relating to consumer rights, digital marketplaces, emerging technologies, advertising, food safety, financial technology and other contemporary developments in consumer protection.

Eligibility

The competition is open to all individuals with a genuine interest in consumer law and policy, including:

• Students of any academic level or discipline;
• Researchers;
• Professionals; and
• Representatives of NGOs and consumer forums.

Theme

The broad theme of the competition is Consumer Law. The following are the indicative themes:

• Dark Patterns: Manipulating Choice in the Digital Marketplace
• Consumer Law Meets Competition Law: Rethinking Consumer Welfare
• Influencers, Misleading Advertising, & the Psychology of Consumer Choice
• AI & Consumer Law: Rights, Risks, and Accountability in the Algorithmic Age
• Food Safety & Consumer Protection: The Regulatory Role of FSSAI
• Greenwashing: Deceptive Sustainability Claims and the Rise of the Green Consumer
• Dynamic Pricing & Digital Price Tags: Is the Consumer Getting a Fair Price?
• UPI & Fintech: Transforming Consumer Spending in a Digital Economy
• The Digital Consumer: How Technology Is Driving Consumption
• Product Liability in the Age of AI: Who Bears Responsibility When Technology Fails?
• The Right to Return: Evolving Consumer Rights in E-Commerce

The above themes are indicative and not mandatory. Participants may choose any other topic within the ambit of Consumer Law.

Submission Categories

• Individual Submission: The essay may be authored and submitted by a single participant.
• Joint Submission: The essay may be jointly authored by a maximum of two authors.

Multiple entries by the same author are not permitted. Any subsequent submission made by the same author, whether individually or jointly with another author, shall not be considered for review and may be disqualified.

Prizes

• First Position: ₹10,000 + Certificate of Merit
• Second Position: ₹7,000 + Certificate of Merit
• Third Position: ₹5,000 + Certificate of Merit

The winners will be felicitated during the National Consumer Rights Day 2026 celebrations organised by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India, New Delhi.

Formatting Guidelines

• Language: English.
• Word Limit: 1,500–3,000 words, excluding the abstract and footnotes.
• Abstract: Maximum 30 words.
• Title: Maximum 30 words.
• Title Font: Times New Roman, 14 pt, 1.5 line spacing.
• Main Body: Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing.
• Footnotes: Times New Roman, 10 pt, single line spacing.
• Citation Style: Bluebook System of Citation, 21st Edition.
• File Format: Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx).
• No speaking endnotes shall be allowed.

Selection Guidelines

The submissions shall be assessed out of 100 marks on the following parameters: Research & Analysis (20 marks), Knowledge & Understanding (20 marks), Relevance & Originality (20 marks), Language & Structure (20 marks) and Style & Clarity (20 marks). The submitted work must be original, unpublished and non-plagiarised. The permitted similarity index is up to 10%, as per the applicable guidelines, and the use of AI is strictly prohibited.

Registration and Submission Deadlines

• Deadline for Registration: 15 October 2026.
• Deadline for Submission: 20 October 2026.
• Declaration of Results: 10 November 2026.

Registration Fees

No registration fee is required for participation in the competition.

Contact

For queries, write to ccl@rgnul.ac.in.

Application Procedure

Participants must register through the designated registration form and submit their essays through the designated online submission form linked below, ensuring compliance with all prescribed requirements relating to word limit, formatting, citation, originality, authorship and other competition guidelines. Participants are advised to complete their registration on or before October 15, 2026, and the last date for submission is October 20, 2026.