Call for Papers: International Conference on Consumer Protection in the Sustainable Digital Economy at Bennett University [Hybrid; 24-25 Feb 2027]

The Centre for Consumer Rights and Advocacy, School of Law, Bennett University, in collaboration with the Chair on Consumer Research and Policy, National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi, and the Consumer Advocacy Group, is organising a two-day International Conference on Consumer Protection in the Sustainable Digital Economy: Navigating Emerging Challenges. The conference will be held on 24th and 25th February 2027 in hybrid mode.

The conference seeks to provide a multidisciplinary and international forum for examining how consumer law can respond to the growth of e-commerce, platform-based markets, financial technologies, artificial intelligence and cross-border transactions. It brings together academicians, legal practitioners, researchers, policymakers, regulators, industry professionals, students and representatives of civil society.

Bennett University, founded in 2016, is accredited with an A+ grade by NAAC and recognised by the UGC, AIU and the Bar Council of India. Its School of Law offers B.A.LL.B. (Hons.), B.B.A.LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M. and Ph.D. programmes.

The Centre for Consumer Rights and Advocacy works towards the objectives of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and aims to raise awareness of consumer rights and redressal through alternative dispute resolution, including online mechanisms. The Chair on Consumer Research and Policy at NUSRL, Ranchi promotes research, teaching and training in consumer laws. The Consumer Advocacy Group is a WhatsApp group founded by Dr. PVVS Murthy on 24th November 2017 to create consumer awareness.

Papers are invited on the following themes.

• Theme I: E-Commerce, Platform Regulation and Consumer Protection. Sub-themes: E-Commerce and Consumer Protection; Platform Accountability and Marketplace Liability; Quick Commerce and Hyperlocal Delivery Services; Cross-Border E-Commerce; Online Fraud, Cyber Scams and Consumer Awareness; Smart Contracts and Standard Form Agreements; Consumer Protection in Social Commerce.
• Theme II: Consumer Data Protection, Privacy and Digital Rights. Sub-themes: Consumer Data Protection; Behavioural Advertising and Consumer Profiling; Dark Patterns and Manipulative Digital Design; Informed Consent in Digital Transactions; Children’s Privacy and Online Safety; Data Monetisation and Consumer Rights; Digital Identity and Consumer Trust.
• Theme III: Ethical Marketing, Advertising and Fair-Trade Practices. Sub-themes: Misleading Advertisements; Influencer Marketing and Consumer Protection; Greenwashing and Sustainability Claims; Comparative Advertising; Hidden Endorsements and Sponsored Content; Unfair Trade Practices in Digital Markets; Consumer Protection against AI-Generated Promotional Content.
• Theme IV: Sustainable Consumption, Product Safety and Consumer Welfare. Sub-themes: Right to Repair; Circular Economy and Consumer Protection; Sustainable Consumption; Product Safety and Product Liability; Smart Devices and Internet of Things (IoT); Food Safety and Consumer Health; Pharmaceutical Transparency and Consumer Rights.
• Theme V: Financial Consumer Protection and Digital Economy. Sub-themes: Digital Payments and Consumer Protection; FinTech Regulation; Digital Lending and Consumer Rights; Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Services; Cryptocurrency and Virtual Digital Assets; Financial Fraud and Consumer Remedies; Financial Literacy and Consumer Awareness.
• Theme VI: Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies and Consumer Protection. Sub-themes: AI and Algorithmic Decision-Making in Consumer Markets; Generative AI, Deepfakes and Consumer Deception; Automated Pricing and Algorithmic Discrimination; AI Liability and Accountability; AI Governance and Consumer Welfare.
• Theme VII: Online Dispute Resolution and Regulatory Enforcement. Sub-themes: Consumer Dispute Resolution Mechanisms and ODR; AI-Assisted Consumer Redressal; Consumer Commissions and Access to Justice; Regulatory Enforcement and Compliance; Class Actions and Collective Consumer Interests.
• Theme VIII: Contemporary Issues and Global Perspectives in Consumer Law. Sub-themes: Consumer Rights in Public Utilities and Government Services; Consumer Rights in the Sharing and Gig Economy; Digital Public Infrastructure and Consumer Rights; Climate Change and Consumer Protection; Emerging Trends in Consumer Law and Policy; Future Directions in Global Consumer Governance.

The conference invites well-researched original papers from professionals, academicians, practitioners, research scholars, administrators, students, social activists and representatives of governmental and non-governmental organisations. Co-authorship is permissible, with a maximum of one co-author.

• Abstracts must be not more than 500 words and must contain the names of the author(s), designation, affiliation, email id and contact details.
• A maximum of 5 keywords must be provided along with the abstract.
• The abstract must be submitted in Word (.doc or .docx) format only.
• Acceptance of abstracts will be communicated by email.
• On selection, the author(s) must pay the required registration fee no later than 20th December, 2026.

• Full papers must be 5000-6000 words with OSCOLA citation.
• Last date for submission of the paper is 10th January, 2027, sent to ccra@bennett.edu.in.
• The full-length paper must include the abstract and details of the authors.
• In case of co-authorship, at least one author must attend the conference to present the paper.
• Main text in Times New Roman, font size 12, spacing 1.5. Footnotes in Times New Roman, font size 10, single spacing.
• All submissions must be original and unpublished work; a maximum of 10% plagiarism is permitted.
• The paper must be in Word (.doc or .docx) format only.

• INR 2500 for faculty, academicians and professionals
• INR 1500 for research scholars
• INR 1000 for students (UG and PG)
• Free of charge for Bennett University faculty, scholars and students
• Free of charge for NUSRL faculty, scholars and students

Payment is made as described in the brochure.

Presentations will be conducted on 24th and 25th February, 2027. Each author will be allotted 8 minutes for the presentation, followed by a Q&A session. A Certificate of Presentation will be issued to all presenters, and a certificate of merit will be awarded to the best three presenters.

The conference proceedings will be published in a book bearing an ISBN. Papers will undergo a double-blind peer review by experts in the field, and selected papers will be published in book format by a reputed publisher with an ISBN number.

• Abstract submission: 10th December, 2026
• Intimation of selected abstracts: 15th December, 2026
• Registration: 20th December, 2026
• Final paper submission: 10th January, 2027
• Conference: 24th and 25th February, 2027

Abstracts are submitted through the online form linked in the brochure. For queries, contact Dr. Parul Sinha, Assistant Professor, School of Law, Bennett University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, at ccra@bennett.edu.in or call Aarushi at 9910625104.