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Challenging the Settled: CPLAN NUSRL Ranchi Invites Submissions for 3rd National Blog Writing Competition 2026
The at the has announced the launch of its 3rd National Blog Writing Competition, 2026. The competition invites law students, academicians, researchers, and legal professionals to critically examine established legal and policy frameworks through the lens of the theme “Challenging the Settled: Critiquing the Accepted Positions of Law and Policy.” Submissions are open until , with winners receiving cash prizes of up to ₹5,000 and publication on CPLAN’s flagship blog, The Policy Chronicle .
A Call to Critique: The Theme
The competition’s theme encourages participants to move beyond merely describing existing laws, , and institutional practices. Instead, it calls for a rigorous examination of the assumptions underlying these positions, assessing their continued relevance, effectiveness, and justice in light of evolving social, constitutional, political, economic, and technological realities. Indicative sub-themes include in , outdated legal frameworks, the limits of , in the digital age, in contemporary law, and the conflict between and outdated .
Who Can Participate?
The competition is open to law students, academicians, researchers, and professionals from all fields. Participation can be either individual or in teams of up to two co-authors. There is no restriction on the number of entries from a single institution. Participants must register through the prescribed Google Form and pay a fee of ₹300 for single authors or ₹250 per author for co-authors (₹500 per team). Students of NUSRL Ranchi are not eligible to take part.
Prizes and Publication
The top three entries will receive cash prizes, mementos, and certificates of merit: first prize ₹5,000, second prize ₹3,000, and third prize ₹2,000. The top 15 blog entries will be published on the official CPLAN website, and all participants will receive certificates of participation. Published authors will be duly credited on The Policy Chronicle .
Submission Guidelines and Originality
Every submission must be original, unpublished work, not exceeding 1,200–2,000 words. The manuscript must be in .doc or .docx format, titled with the team code, and should contain no identifying marks. Formatting requirements specify Garamond font, 12-point main text, 1.5 line spacing, justified alignment, and hyperlinked references following the Bluebook 21st Edition (endnotes only where online sources are unavailable).
Originality is paramount: plagiarism must not exceed 10% (with deductions for 10–20% and rejection above 20%). Use of generative AI writing tools is permitted only up to 20% of the submission, with escalating penalties and rejection for exceeding 40%. Plagiarism and AI content will be checked via .
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions that clear preliminary screening will be evaluated on a 100-point scale. The criteria include relevance and novelty of the topic (20%), depth of critical and analytical engagement (25%), research quality and engagement with authorities (25%), practical and policy-oriented suggestions (10%), structure and clarity (10%), and compliance with formatting guidelines (10%). The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any submission that does not align with the theme.
Key Dates and Registration
Important dates are: opening of registration ; last date for registration September 15; last date for clarifications September 20; clarifications released September 25; submission deadline September 30; results declared October 25. All submissions must be made through the prescribed Google Form; email submissions will not be accepted.
About CPLAN and NUSRL Ranchi
Established in , the at NUSRL Ranchi aims to promote research and activities in constitutional law, legislative drafting, and policy research. The Policy Chronicle serves as its flagship blog, publishing rigorous and accessible law and policy writing. NUSRL Ranchi, established by the in , is a premier law university recognized by the UGC and , offering integrated law programs, LL.M., and Ph.D. degrees.
This competition offers a unique platform for the legal community to challenge settled positions and contribute to progressive legal discourse. For rules and registration, participants are directed to the official CPLAN website.
