3-Day National Seminar on India and International Law: Contemporary Developments and Practice by University of Madras: Submit by Dec 11

About the Department of Legal Studies, University of Madras

The University of Madras, proudly celebrating its 170th year, is widely regarded as the mother of all South Indian Universities. Established in 1857, the University has a rich academic heritage and has made significant contributions to higher education and research.

It has been accredited with an NAAC ‘A++’ Grade and secured the 38th rank in the MHRD NIRF University Rankings 2025.

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About the Seminar

The Department of Legal Studies, University of Madras, is organising a Three-Day National Seminar titled “India and International Law: Contemporary Developments and Practice” from 18 to 20 February 2027.

India has increasingly emerged as an important participant in international negotiations, global governance and international law-making. Its active engagement in the United Nations, BRICS, G20, IBSA and other international platforms reflects its growing role in addressing contemporary global challenges.

India’s participation in areas such as international peacekeeping, international trade, environmental protection, climate change and sustainable development demonstrates its commitment to the progressive development of international law. Its leadership in promoting the interests of developing countries and strengthening South-South Cooperation further highlights its contribution to shaping the contemporary international legal order.

In this context, the Seminar aims to provide an academic platform for deliberations on India’s evolving role in international law, its engagement with international institutions and its responses to emerging global challenges.

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Eligibility

The Seminar welcomes research contributions from:

• Judges and academicians;
• Legal practitioners and advocates;
• Research scholars;
• Undergraduate and postgraduate students;
• Faculty members and legal researchers; and
• Scholars and academicians working in related fields.

The Seminar provides an opportunity for participants to present original research and engage in academic discussions on contemporary developments in international law.

Theme

“India and International Law: Contemporary Developments and Practice”

The Seminar focuses on India’s evolving engagement with international law and its contribution to the changing global legal order. It seeks to examine India’s State practice, international commitments, diplomatic initiatives and participation in multilateral institutions.

Sub-Themes

The Seminar invites original and unpublished research papers under the following five broad themes:

Theme I: India and the United Nations, International Organisations, the Global South and Human Rights

• Indian State Practice and the Transformation of the Global Order.
• South-South Cooperation and the Progressive Development of International Law.
• Human Rights Law and International Obligations.
• United Nations Reforms and Multilateralism.
• Decolonisation of International Law and India’s Role.
• India and UN Peacekeeping Operations.

Theme II: India and the Law of the Sea

• India and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• India and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
• India and Maritime Security.
• India, the Global South and Geopolitical Issues.
• Sea-Level Rise and Emerging Maritime Challenges.
• India and Deep-Seabed Activities.
• Protection of the Marine Environment.
• Fisheries Management and Sustainable Ocean Governance.

Theme III: India, Climate Change, Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development

• India and International Climate Change Negotiations.
• International Legal Frameworks on Climate Change.
• India, the Global South and Environmental Governance.
• Common but Differentiated Responsibilities.
• India and Sustainable Development.
• India’s Role in International Environmental Cooperation.

Theme IV: India and Air and Space Law

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• India and the Development of International Space Law.
• Indian Space Policy and the Regulation of Commercial Space Activities.
• India and International Space Cooperation.
• Emerging Challenges in Space Governance.
• India’s Engagement with the United Nations Space-Law Framework.

Theme V: India and International Trade and Investment Law

• India and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• India’s Contribution to the Progressive Development of International Trade Law.
• India and the Evolution of International Investment Law.
• Investor-State Dispute Settlement and India’s Approach.
• India’s Model Bilateral Investment Treaty, 2015.
• Emerging Technologies and the Future of International Economic Law.

Submission Guidelines

Abstract Requirements

• The abstract must not exceed 300 words.
• Five keywords must be provided along with the abstract.
• The abstract must clearly indicate the research focus and its relevance to the Seminar theme.

Full Paper Requirements

• The full paper must contain between 4,000 and 6,000 words, including footnotes.
• Papers must be submitted in MS Word format.
• The paper must be original, unpublished and free from plagiarism.
• A maximum of two authors is permitted.

Formatting Guidelines

Review and Publication

• All submitted papers will undergo a double-blind peer-review process.
• Only full-length papers submitted within the prescribed deadline will be considered for presentation.
• Selected papers will be published in the form of a book bearing an ISBN by reputed national or international publishers.
• The final selection of papers for publication rests with the Organising Committee.

Registration Fees

The registration fees for participation in the Seminar are as follows:

All amounts are inclusive of GST. GST is not applicable to students of the University of Madras.

Payment Details

Note: Registration fees, once paid, are non-refundable. For co-authored papers, each author must pay the registration fee separately.

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General Instructions

1. All research papers must be original, unpublished and free from plagiarism.
2. Papers must not have been submitted or accepted for presentation or publication elsewhere.
3. All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer-review process.
4. Only papers submitted within the prescribed deadline will be considered for presentation.
5. The Seminar will be conducted strictly in offline (physical) mode. Online or hybrid participation will not be available.
6. All participants are required to be physically present for all three days of the Seminar.
7. In the case of co-authored papers, a maximum of two authors is permitted.
8. Only one author is permitted to present the paper.
9. Registration fees paid are non-refundable.
10. Participants must make their own arrangements for travel and accommodation.
11. Selection of papers for publication is at the discretion of the Organising Committee.

Important Dates

Submission Procedure

Click Here To Submit.

Interested participants must submit their abstracts through the prescribed Google Form or the official seminar email.

The submission process is as follows:

1. Prepare an abstract of approximately 300 words along with five keywords.
2. Prepare a separate MS Word document containing:
   • Title of the paper/article;
   • Name of the author(s);
   • Institutional affiliation;
   • Communication address;
   • Email ID; and
   • Contact details.
3. Submit the abstract through the Google Form provided by the Organising Committee.
4. Upon acceptance of the abstract, complete the registration process and pay the applicable registration fee.
5. Submit the full-length paper within the prescribed deadline.

Contact Information

For queries relating to abstract submission, registration, paper presentation and other Seminar-related information, participants may contact the Organising Committee.

Official Email: [email protected]

Faculty Coordinators

Student Coordinators

The official notification is here.