Call for Papers: CNLU Law Journal (CNLULJ), Volume XIII (2026-27) [Peer-Reviewed; Submissions by 15 December 2026]

The CNLU Law Journal (CNLULJ) is the flagship annual peer-reviewed journal published by Chanakya National Law University, Patna. Founded in 2010, it is an interdisciplinary forum for critical dialogue on law and policy that draws on political science, management, sociology, economics, history and public policy, and it welcomes work on socio-legal and policy issues at both the national and international levels.

The university's journal page describes CNLULJ as a peer-reviewed journal listed in UGC-CARE under the social science discipline. Its print ISSN is 0976-805X. The journal now invites empirical and theoretical contributions, commentaries on topical socio-legal issues and reviews for Volume XIII (2026-2027). Original, analytical and interdisciplinary legal scholarship is encouraged.

Submissions are invited on any socio-legal, policy or interdisciplinary theme, including but not limited to:

• Constitutionalism and Governance
• Public Policy and Social Justice
• Socio-Legal Studies
• Technology, Digital Rights and Ethics
• Global Governance and International Frameworks
• Intersectionality, Justice and Human Rights

The journal invites original, unpublished manuscripts from legal academics and post-doctoral or doctoral scholars from India and abroad. Co-authorship is permitted up to a maximum of two authors.

• Articles (6,000-8,000 words, including footnotes): empirical or theoretical research articles. Empirical articles should follow the IMRaD format (Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion). Every article must contain an abstract, keywords, the body of text, a reference list and any illustrations in the main document, with the title page uploaded as a separate file.
• Notes and Comments (3,500-4,000 words, including footnotes): concise commentaries and critical evaluations of topical socio-legal issues, recent legal controversies, judicial decisions or policy proposals.
• Case Comments, Legislative Comments and Book Reviews (2,500-3,000 words, including footnotes): critical evaluations of significant cases, legislation or amendments, or academic books delivered, operational or published in 2025 or 2026 and relevant to the journal's interdisciplinary scope.

• Manuscripts must be original and not submitted or published elsewhere; avoid simultaneous submissions.
• Adhere to the prescribed word limits and formatting. Manuscripts that depart substantially from them may be returned for corrections.
• All submissions go through double-blind peer review. Authors must follow academic integrity principles, including proper citation of sources and disclosure of potential conflicts of interest.
• The maximum permitted plagiarism is 10%, and the journal has zero tolerance for AI-generated content.
• Formatting: Times New Roman, single line spacing (1.0), 1-inch margins on all sides, British spelling and punctuation, italics (not underlining) for titles of books, periodicals and newspapers, and full first names of authors rather than initials unless the author customarily uses initials.
• Citation style: OSCOLA.

• Title page / author's bio (a separate document): title of the manuscript; full name(s) of the author(s); institutional affiliation and designation; email address(es); corresponding author's details; acknowledgements; and funding information, where applicable.
• Cover letter stating the title and category of submission, the names and affiliations of the author(s), a brief description of the manuscript's contribution, and a self-declaration that the manuscript is original, unpublished and not under simultaneous consideration elsewhere.

Email the manuscript in Word format (.doc or .docx), together with the title page and cover letter, to editor.cnluljr@cnlu.ac.in with the subject line “Submission – [Category] – [Manuscript Title for Vol. 13]”. Submissions made by any other means will not be considered. The last date is 15 December 2026.

The official call for papers does not mention any submission or publication fee.