ABOUT THE ORGANISER/COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), established in 1951, is the first Indian Institute of Technology and a pioneer in technical education and research in India. The institute has 19 academic departments, 13 schools of excellence, eight multidisciplinary centres and over 25 central R&D units. It was recognised as an Institute of Eminence in 2019.
The Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law (RGSOIPL) was established in 2006 and is described in the brochure as India’s first law school within a premier technology institute. The School was established with a focus on bridging law and technology and offers LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M., Ph.D. and Master’s in Public Policy and Governance programmes.
DETAILS ABOUT THE EVENT/OPPORTUNITY
The 8th Research Colloquium & Annual Research Scholars’ Day 2026 is being organised as part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of IIT Kharagpur.
Theme
“Navigating the Wild: Law, Technology and the Architecture of Accountability”
The two-day academic programme will examine contemporary questions at the intersection of law, technology and accountability, with a focus on how legal systems can address rapidly evolving and increasingly autonomous technologies.
The brochure identifies six indicative sub-themes:
- Algorithmic Liability & Technological Accountability — AI liability, automated decision-making, tort frameworks, explainability and algorithmic bias.
- Data, Privacy & Surveillance Architectures — DPDP Act 2023, GDPR, data fiduciary obligations, consent architecture and state surveillance.
- The Regulatory Frontier: AI, Platforms & the Law — EU AI Act, India’s emerging AI policy framework and sector-specific regulation involving SEBI, IRDAI and RBI.
- Intellectual Property in the Age of Generative AI — AI-generated output, training data, fair use/infringement, AI-assisted inventions and inventorship.
- Emerging Frontiers: Blockchain, Biotech & Beyond — smart contracts, DAOs, blockchain jurisdictional issues, gene editing, CRISPR, synthetic biology and AI-generated genomics.
- Chips, Sovereignty & the Courtroom — semiconductor supply chains, legal and regulatory pressure points, and India’s semiconductor ambitions.
The list of sub-themes is indicative and not exhaustive, and submissions on allied questions within the central theme are welcome.
Programme
- 30 October 2026: Annual Research Scholars’ Day
- 31 October 2026: 8th Research Colloquium
The programme may include paper presentation sessions, poster presentations, workshops, round-table discussions, plenary sessions and a World Café. The session-wise schedule will be shared with registered participants before the event.
Call for Extended Abstracts
Research scholars, faculty members and practitioners are invited to submit extended abstracts on the central theme or its sub-themes.
Submission requirements:
- Length: 500–800 words, including citations
- Citation style: OSCOLA, latest edition
- File format: Microsoft Word (.docx)
- Maximum authors: Two
- Review: Blind peer review
- Formatting: Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing, justified, with 1-inch margins
- Abstracts should include a title, sub-theme and up to five keywords
- A separate cover page should contain author name(s), designation, affiliation, email and contact number
- File name: Surname_ExtendedAbstract_RC2026.docx
The brochure states that abstracts must be submitted through the designated Google Form; abstracts sent by email will not be considered. Acceptance decisions are communicated on a rolling basis, within 48 hours of submission.
AI Policy
The brochure permits generative AI and similar technologies only for minor language or formatting improvements, including formatting references. AI tools may not be used for ideation, literature review, argument development, drafting or citation generation. Any permitted use must be disclosed in the submitted extended abstract, including the tool, version, purpose and manner of use.
WHO IS IT FOR / ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE
The event is intended for:
- Research Scholars
- Students
- Faculty members
- Legal practitioners
- Regulators and policymakers
- Professionals from the technology industry
The Call for Extended Abstracts specifically invites research scholars, faculty members and practitioners to submit abstracts. Participation is also open to those who wish to attend without submitting an extended abstract.
MODE OF THE EVENT
Offline
LOCATION & VENUE
Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law (RGSOIPL), Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Kharagpur – 721302, West Bengal, India
The event will be held on campus over 30–31 October 2026.
REGISTRATION / SUBMISSION LINKS & PROCEDURE
Extended Abstract Submission
Official Submission Form:
Google Form for Extended Abstract Submission
Procedure:
- Open the designated Google Form.
- Complete the required details.
- Upload the extended abstract in .docx format.
- Submit the form.
The brochure specifically states that abstracts submitted by email will not be considered.
Event Registration
Registration is conducted through the Continuing Education Programme (CEP), IIT Kharagpur.
IIT Kharagpur CEP Registration Portal
Participants should select “8th Research Colloquium & Annual Research Scholars’ Day 2026”, choose the applicable registration category, complete payment and retain the payment acknowledgement.
FEE DETAILS
| Category | India | SAARC (Other than India) | Non-SAARC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students / Research Scholars | ₹750 | USD 15 | USD 50 |
| Faculty / Industry | ₹1,500 | USD 50 | USD 100 |
Fees are exclusive of GST and any other applicable taxes.
The registration fee includes a conference kit, food and beverages served at the event, and a Certificate of Participation. Accommodation and travel expenses are not included.
PRIZES & CERTIFICATES
The Colloquium will feature:
- Best Paper Award — Certificate and attractive prize
- Best Presentation Award — Certificate and attractive prize
Presenters whose extended abstracts are accepted and presented receive:
- Certificate of Presentation
- Certificate of Participation
Registered participants who do not present receive a Certificate of Participation.
DEADLINES / IMPORTANT DATES
| Date | Particulars |
|---|---|
| 25 September 2026 | Submissions open; rolling acceptance begins |
| 15 October 2026 | Last date for submission of Extended Abstracts |
| Within 48 hours of submission | Acceptance communicated by email |
| 28 October 2026 | Last date for event registration |
| 30 October 2026 | Annual Research Scholars’ Day |
| 31 October 2026 | 8th Research Colloquium |
The organising committee encourages early submission because abstracts are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis.
ACCOMMODATION
Limited accommodation is available at the IIT Kharagpur Guest House on additional payment. Rooms are subject to availability and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants seeking accommodation should contact the Organising Committee at colloquiumrgsoipl@gmail.com. Accommodation is separate from the registration fee.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: colloquiumrgsoipl@gmail.com
Phone: +91 81781 04713
Phone: +91 87073 41346
Contact numbers are available on working days from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Address:
Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Kharagpur – 721302, West Bengal, India
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Patron: Prof. Uday Shankar, Dean, RGSOIPL
Co-ordinators:
- Prof. Arindam Basu, Assistant Professor, RGSOIPL
- Prof. Narendran Thiruthy, Assistant Professor, RGSOIPL
- Prof. Neeraj Kumar Gupta, Assistant Professor, RGSOIPL
