MNLU Mumbai Partners with Elite Law Firms and The Dialogue for Landmark Fintech and AI Governance Symposium

Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai, a premier institution established under the Maharashtra National Law University Act to advance legal education and socially relevant research for national development, has announced a high-profile Symposium exploring the transformative power of Fintech and digital public infrastructure. Under the leadership of Chancellor Justice Alok Aradhe and Ex-Officio Pro-Chancellor, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Bombay, the university is strengthening its academic and financial systems to uphold excellence and propriety. The Centre for Information Communication Technology and Law (CICTL) at MNLU Mumbai, dedicated to fostering high-level dialogue on law and technology, is spearheading this initiative to address critical emerging domains such as Artificial Intelligence, data privacy, and the proposed Digital Competition Bill, 2024. In a strategic collaboration with The Dialogue—a leading Indian think tank shaping technology governance through multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement—the event bridges the gap between rapid innovation and balanced regulatory frameworks.

The Symposium features an elite roster of legal and regulatory giants, including Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co (SAM & Co), a full-service firm with over 950 lawyers and 184 partners across seven locations like Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bengaluru, and Khaitan & Co., one of India’s oldest and most reputed firms established in 1911. The proceedings will be graced by Chief Guest Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra of the Punjab & Haryana High Court. Distinguished speakers providing industry and regulatory perspectives include Mr. Sunil Kadam, Executive Director of SEBI, Mr. Varun Pathak of Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., Mr. Nirupam Lodha of Khaitan & Co., and Mr. Utkarsh of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. This forum examines how the India Stack, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and Account Aggregator framework have revolutionized financial access while navigating the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

Central to the event is a rigorous paper presentation competition inviting students, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to submit abstracts by April 27, 2026. The competition covers eight critical themes: Fintech Regulation and Policy Frameworks, Artificial Intelligence in Financial Systems, Data Protection and Privacy in Fintech, Crypto Assets and Blockchain Regulation, Digital Lending and Algorithmic Governance, Consumer Protection in Digital Financial Services, Competition Law and Fintech, and Cross-border Data Flows and Financial Regulation. Phase 1 involves abstract submission of maximum 500 words, followed by an acceptance notification on April 28, 2026. Shortlisted authors must provide a working paper of 2000-3500 words by May 6, 2026, and a full paper of 6000-8000 words by July 5, 2026. All submissions must adhere to MS Word format, Times New Roman font, 1.5-line spacing, and strictly follow APA 7 citation style.

The evaluation process, conducted by a panel from academia and leading law firms, enforces a 10% similarity limit and a 20% cap on AI-generated content, requiring full disclosure of AI tools. To ensure impartiality, a blind evaluation system will be utilized. Co-authorship is limited to two authors per submission, with fees set at ₹2,000 for single authors and ₹3,000 for co-authored papers. Delegate registration, mandatory for all, is priced at ₹1,000, granting access to plenary sessions and networking; notably, those not shortlisted for presentations may attend as delegates without additional fees. Selected papers will be published in an ISBN-numbered edited volume and a CICTL Knowledge Report. Winners stand to receive cash prizes of ₹10,000, ₹7,000, and ₹5,000 respectively, alongside prestigious internship opportunities with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Khaitan & Co., and The Dialogue.

By converging the brightest minds in law, technology, and policy on May 9, 2026, this Symposium serves as a vital platform for shaping a responsible and inclusive technological future. It moves beyond theoretical academic research to active policy engagement, ensuring that data-driven finance remains efficient, accountable, and aligned with the principles of distributive justice in India's rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.