About The Department of Legal Studies, University of Madras
The Department of Legal Studies aims at reaching the pinnacle, especially in the field of International Law and Constitutional Law, legal education, intellectual development, research, leadership, striving for the growth, development and building a generation of student scholars with the intellectual prowess, moral awareness and social responsibility. It endeavours to develop them into experts who will stand out in the legal profession and reshape them into individuals who possess the ideal balance of practical knowledge, academic excellence, personality development, and spiritual values.
About The Seminar
In an era marked by escalating debates over the Uniform Civil Code, electoral transparency post the Supreme Court’s verdict on electoral bonds and strained federal relations amid fiscal disputes and State reorganisations, the Indian Constitution continues to navigate through challenges, conflicts and conundrums. Our Constitution, with the ideals of a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, pledges justice, liberty, equality and fraternity; while safeguarding national unity and integration, principles fortified by landmark decisions like Kesavananda Bharati, which enshrines the basic structure doctrine to prevent any amendments that erode core features of the Constitution.
Modern-day developments such as the clash between technological imperatives like AI-driven surveillance and privacy rights, economic disparities challenging affirmative action policies, environmental crises testing sustainable governance, balancing national security with free speech in digital spaces and reconciling directive principles with fundamental Rights amid global influences and political polarisation straining secularism and social cohesion, pose greater Constitutional challenges resulting in Constitutional conflicts and conundrums.
About Call For Papers
The Three-day National Seminar on “Constitutional Development: Contemporary Challenges, Conflicts, and Conundrums” aims to initiate meaningful dialogue and fruitful discussion among Judicial Officers, Legal Officers, Policymakers, Academicians, Advocates, Researchers, and Students, ultimately fostering a deeper understanding and effective adherence of Constitutional values, ethos, morality and transformative Constitutionalism in the Indian multifaceted democracy.
Theme & Sub-Themes
The seminar will cover broad themes related to Constitutional development, with a focus on contemporary challenges, conflicts and conundrums. The following sub-themes are indicative and not exhaustive; submissions on any related topic aligned with the seminar themes are welcome.
(1) Centre-State Relations
- Inter-State disputes and cooperative federalism in a diverse nation.
- Fiscal federalism: Revenue sharing mechanisms and economic imbalances.
- Reorganization of States and Union Territories: Political and administrative conundrums.
- Asymmetric federalism: Lessons from special status provisions and their challenges.
(2) Fundamental Rights And Contemporary Conflicts
- Right to privacy in the digital era: The Constitutional approach.
- Freedom of expression vs. censorship: Balancing hate speech, social media, and dissent.
- Equality and affirmative action: Sub-categorization in reservations and social justice dilemmas.
- Right to life and dignity: The Constitutional perspective.
(3) Judicial Review, Activism And Accountability
- Judicial overreach vs. independence: Role of Judiciary in governance and policy-making.
- Basic structure doctrine: Amendments, limitations, and ongoing debates.
- Access to justice: Delays, pendency and reforms for an inclusive judiciary.
- Comparative judicial perspectives: Influences from global Constitutions on Indian jurisprudence.
(4) Social Justice, Inclusion And Emerging Challenges
- Gender justice: Constitutional provisions, women’s rights and patriarchal conundrums.
- Minority rights and secularism: Unity in diversity amid rising communal tensions.
- Scheduled castes and tribes: Representation, reservations and implementation hurdles.
- Sustainable development goals (SDGs) and constitutional mandates: Environmental and economic equity
(5) Electoral Processes, Governance And Democratic Conundrums
- Electoral reforms: One nation one election, funding transparency and anti-defection laws.
- Role of technology in elections: E-voting, cybersecurity, and voter privacy concerns.
- Civic engagement and fundamental duties: Promoting constitutional culture in a polarized society.
- Crisis governance: Emergency provisions, pandemics and balancing rights with public order.
- Delimitation.
(6) Constitutionalism In The Age Of Technology And Globalization
- AI, intellectual property and constitutional rights: Ethical implications and regulatory frameworks.
- International law and India’s sovereignty: Trade agreements, human rights and territorial integrity.
- Decolonization of laws: Integrating Indian knowledge systems with modern constitutionalism.
- Climate change and environmental jurisprudence: Judicial responses and policy challenges.
- Transformative Constitutionalism.
Who Can Submit
Papers are invited from Judicial Officers, Legal Officers, Policymakers, Academicians, Advocates, Researchers, and Students.
Submission Guidelines
Authors are invited to submit original research papers not previously published or currently under review elsewhere. Submissions must be written in English and adhere to the specified format stipulated below:
Abstract Submission
- Length: 300–400 words Maximum
- Format: MS Word, Times New Roman, 14 pt for Heading and 12 for Normal Text & 1.5 Line Spacing.
- Include Title, Keywords, Author’s name, Affiliation & Contact details.
After the acceptance of the abstract, the full paper should be submitted in the format mentioned below :
Full Paper Submission
- Length: 2500–5000 words
- Format: MS Word, Times New Roman, 14 pt for Heading and 12 for Normal Text & 1.5 Line Spacing.
- Include Title, Abstract, Keywords, Author’s name, Affiliation & Contact details.
- Citation Style: ILI(INDIAN LAW INSTITUTE).
A separate MS Word File of the full paper should be submitted containing the article title, followed by the Author’s Name, Affiliation, Communication Address, E-mail ID and Contact Details through the following Email ID :
nationalseminardlsunom@gmail.com
Rules For Presentation
It should be noted that the papers submitted will be subjected to an anti-plagiarism check, and the paper with plagiarised content will be rejected. Further, it must be noted that the use of AI is strictly prohibited. All the papers will be subjected to a peer-reviewed process. Only full papers submitted on or before the deadline will be given the opportunity to present their papers.
Publication Opportunity
Selected Papers shall be published in a reputed peer-reviewed Journal of the Department’s choice and/or in the form of a Book with an ISBN. The Selection of the paper is reserved with the Organising Committee.
Additional Guidelines
Each full paper is permitted to have one author with an addition of one co-author. The participants are requested to make their own arrangements for travel & accommodation.
Important Dates
- Last Date for registration & submission of Abstract: 15 OCTOBER 2025
- Date of Acceptance of Abstract: 27 OCTOBER 2025
- Last Date for Submission of Full Paper: 10 JANUARY 2026
- Dates of the Event: 12-14 FEBRUARY 2026
Registration Process
- Scan the QR code on the brochure to access the registration form for the Three-Day National Seminar on “Constitutional Development: Contemporary Challenges , Conflicts and Conundrums.”
- Indicate your mode of participation as Paper Presenter or Attendee.
- Kindly provide all the required details in the form to facilitate smooth coordination.
Registration Link
Contact Details
COORDINATORS
- Mr D.G. Vijayenthira Poopathy, PG Scholar DLS, UNOM – Ph: 88964 69469
- Mr Karun Kumar, PG Scholar DLS, UNOM – Ph: 90251 33527
- Ms Nivyashree, PG Scholar DLS, UNOM – Ph: 82208 53792
- Mr Abubacke Razaak Elham, PG Scholar DLS, UNOM – Ph: 73580 06226
- Ms Ann Mariya Roy, PG Scholar DLS, UNOM – Ph: 73580 06226
Email: nationalseminardlsunom@gmail.com
The brochure is here.
