4th National Essay Competition 2026 by NLSIU: Submit by September 30
Deadline: September 30, 2026 | Organiser: The Chair on Consumer Law and Practice, NLSIU | Eligibility: Students, academics, professionals and consumer advocates
About the Organiser
The Chair on Consumer Law and Practice (CLAP) at NLSIU works to promote research, scholarship and discussion on consumer law and policy.
About the Competition
The 4th National Essay Competition 2026 is being organised to commemorate National Consumer Day on December 24. The competition invites original and well-researched essays on contemporary issues in consumer protection, consumer rights and consumer policy.
Participants may explore the listed themes or choose another relevant topic with a clear connection to consumer law and policy.
Themes
Suggested themes include:
- Consumer Protection in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Algorithmic Decision-Making
- Dark Patterns, Drip Pricing and Manipulative Design in E-Commerce
- Cross-Border Consumer Protection in Digital Trade
- Consumer Rights in the Gig and Platform Economy
- Data Privacy as a Consumer Protection Concern
- Children and Young Consumers in the Digital Age
- Digital Payments, Online Financial Fraud and Cybersecurity for Consumers
- Consumer Protection in Healthcare, Pharma and Telemedicine
- Sustainable Consumption and Greenwashing
- Access to Consumer Justice through e-Daakhil, Mediation and the Three-Tier Commission System
Eligibility
The competition is open to:
- Students
- Academics
- Legal professionals
- Consumer advocates
Participants should have an interest in consumer law and policy.
Submission Guidelines
Participants must submit an original and well-researched essay that critically examines an issue related to consumer protection.
The official notification contains the detailed formatting and referencing requirements. Participants should follow those requirements while preparing their submissions.
Important Dates
Submission Portal Opens: August 15, 2026
Last Date to Submit: September 30, 2026, 11:59 PM IST
Evaluation: October–November 2026
Results: December 24, 2026
Winners’ Felicitation: Early December 2026 (tentative)
No extensions will be provided after the submission deadline.
Prizes
The competition will recognise winning entries through prizes and awards. The detailed prize information is to be provided by the organisers.
How to Apply
Participants should submit their essays through the official submission portal for the competition.
For further details, eligibility requirements and submission instructions, refer to the official notification.
Official Notification – NLSIU 4th National Essay Competition 2026
Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026, 11:59 PM IST
Contact
Chair on Consumer Law, NLSIU
Email: consumerlaw@nls.ac.in
Final Takeaway
The 4th National Essay Competition 2026 by NLSIU provides students, academics, professionals and consumer advocates an opportunity to write on emerging issues in consumer law and policy.
With themes covering AI, e-commerce, data privacy, digital payments, healthcare, greenwashing and consumer justice, the competition is particularly relevant for participants interested in contemporary consumer protection issues.
