National Law University Jodhpur Announces Fifth NLUJ-CSBF Essay Writing Competition 2026
National Law University Jodhpur (NLUJ) has officially announced the Fifth NLUJ-CSBF Essay Writing Competition 2026 through its Centre for Studies in Banking and Finance (CSBF). The competition invites law students from across India to submit research-based essays on emerging challenges in digital lending and financial market regulation.
The competition is being organised in association with several reputed legal and research partners, making it an important academic opportunity for students interested in banking law, fintech regulation, digital finance, and financial market governance.
About National Law University Jodhpur (NLUJ)
National Law University Jodhpur is among India’s leading law universities and has consistently ranked as one of the country’s top legal education institutions.
Key Highlights of NLUJ
- Established in 1999
- Located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan
- Known for excellence in legal education and research
- Produces skilled lawyers, academicians, and policy experts
- Alumni work in:
- Top Indian and international law firms
- Courts and litigation practice
- Academia and public policy sectors
- Students have pursued higher education at globally reputed universities such as:
- Harvard University
- Yale University
- University of Oxford
- London School of Economics (LSE)
- King’s College London
NLUJ attracts students from diverse social and cultural backgrounds and is widely recognised for promoting advanced legal scholarship and interdisciplinary research.
About the Centre for Studies in Banking and Finance (CSBF)
Centre for Studies in Banking and Finance was established in 2002 with support from the Reserve Bank of India.
Objectives of CSBF
- Promote research in banking and financial law
- Encourage discussions on financial systems and market regulation
- Develop intellectual capacity in:
- Financial markets
- Corporate finance
- Banking regulation
- Capital markets
- Financial technology law
- Organise academic events, seminars, and competitions
The Centre serves as a platform for scholars, practitioners, and students to exchange ideas on contemporary financial and regulatory developments.
About the Essay Writing Competition
The Fifth NLUJ-CSBF Essay Writing Competition 2026 aims to encourage legal research and critical analysis on issues related to digital lending and financial market misconduct.
Eligibility Criteria
The following students are eligible to participate:
- Students pursuing:
- Three-year LL.B. courses
- Five-year integrated law courses
- Postgraduate law degrees
- Participants must belong to institutions recognised by the Bar Council of India
Theme of the Competition
Financial Market Misconduct in the Era of Digital Lending: Detection Challenges and Regulatory Responses
Suggested Sub-Themes
Participants may write on the following topics:
- RegTech and SupTech for detecting misconduct in digital lending
- Enforcement challenges against illegal digital lending applications
- Cross-border legal issues in digital lending regulation
- Dark patterns and deceptive design in fintech platforms
- Regulatory concerns surrounding unregulated lending apps (ULAs)
Prizes and Benefits
The competition offers attractive cash prizes and publication opportunities.
Prize Structure
- First Prize:
- INR 30,000
- Merit Certificate
- Second Prize:
- INR 25,000
- Merit Certificate
- Third Prize:
- INR 15,000
- Merit Certificate
Additional Benefits
- Complimentary one-year subscription to SCC Online Web Edition for the top three winners
- Special Mention Certificates for fourth and fifth positions
- Winning essay may be published in:
- Scholasticus Journal published by CSBF
- Other selected entries may be featured on the Centre’s blog
Submission Guidelines
Participants must carefully follow all formatting and submission requirements.
Important Rules
- First page should contain:
- Title of the paper
- 200-word abstract
- Second page should contain:
- Table of contents
- Main manuscript should begin immediately after the table of contents
Word Limit
- Maximum word limit:
- 3,500 words
- Footnotes are excluded from the word count
Anonymity Requirement
Participants must not disclose:
- Name of the author
- Institutional details
- Professional affiliations
- Any identifying information
Violation of anonymity rules may result in disqualification.
Originality and Plagiarism Policy
- Submissions must be original and unpublished
- Maximum permissible plagiarism:
- 10%
- Maximum permissible AI-generated content:
- 20%
Submissions exceeding these limits may be rejected.
Co-Authorship
- Maximum two authors allowed per submission
Copyright Clause
By submitting the manuscript, authors transfer copyright rights to the organisers.
Citation Guidelines
Participants must maintain uniform citation formatting throughout the manuscript.
Citation Requirements
- Use footnotes for authorities
- Include:
- Author name
- Title of source
- Publication date
- Active web link where possible
Additional Instructions
- Mention relevant page or paragraph numbers for lengthy sources
- Explanatory citations are discouraged
Assessment Criteria
All essays will undergo a blind review process.
Evaluation Parameters
- Depth and quality of research
- Structure and organisation
- Novelty and analytical thinking
- Practical and original suggestions
Detailed and focused research within the prescribed theme will receive preference.
Important Dates
Competition Timeline
- Submission Start Date:
- April 27, 2026
- Last Date for Submission:
- May 30, 2026
- Result Announcement:
- Third Week of June 2026
Important Links
Notification: NLUJ_19531777541408.pdf
Essay Submission Form: Submission Form – The Fifth NLUJ-CSBF Essay Writing Competition, 2026
Organising Committee
Faculty and Student Coordinators
Dr. Anand Kumar Singh
- Executive Director
- Centre for Studies in Banking and Finance
Mr. Anshuman Srivastava
- Co-Convenor, CSBF
- Contact:
- +91-9792845154
Ms. Anandita Srivastava
- Co-Convenor, CSBF
- Contact:
- +91-8707083846
