Call for Papers: International Conference on Gender Discourses through the Indian Knowledge Systems [Offline, New Delhi, 17-18 September 2026]

The Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, in collaboration with Prajna Pravah, Delhi, is holding a two-day International Conference on Gender Discourses: Connecting the Past, Present, and Future through the Indian Knowledge Systems on 17 and 18 September 2026 at the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi.

The organisers argue that Indian Knowledge Systems offer a layered understanding of gender, dignity, autonomy, education, family, justice and social order, and that classical texts do not present a single uniform view of women and gender relations. The concept note draws on the Rig Veda marriage hymn (10.85.46) that addresses the bride as samrajni, on Maitreyi's exchange in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (2.4.3) as evidence of women's participation in metaphysical discourse, and on the Manu Smriti (9.194) and Narada Smriti (Vyavahara-Matrika 1.76) verses on the inalienability of stridhana.

The conference asks how concepts such as dharma, complementarity and moral agency inform gender justice in ancient Indian thought; how classical sources reflect women's access to education; how marriage might be revisited around consent, companionship and evolving roles; and how Indian Knowledge Systems conceptualise health, bodily autonomy and dignity.

The University of Delhi was established in 1922 by an Act of the then Central Legislative Assembly. The President of India is its Visitor, the Vice-President is the Chancellor and the Chief Justice of India is the Pro-Chancellor.

The Faculty of Law was established in 1924 and is an institution of national importance under Entry 63 of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. With over 10,000 students across B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), LL.B., LL.M. and Ph.D. programmes, it is among the largest law schools in the world, and has worked in Intellectual Property Rights, Human Rights, Environmental Law and Gender Justice.

Prajna Pravah, Delhi, is an intellectual movement of nationalist thinkers that works to promote Bharatiya traditions, culture and intellectual heritage, and hosts discussions, seminars and workshops on Indian philosophy, law, history, social sciences and literature.

The following themes are indicative only. Contributors may choose any topic that meaningfully engages with gender, Indian Knowledge Systems and their contemporary relevance.

• Theme I - Philosophical Underpinnings: Gender Discourses and IKS: concept of dharma and gender discourses; gender and power in ancient India; equality and complementarity in ancient Indian thought; women's agency, autonomy and power in Vedic traditions; decisional autonomy of women.
• Theme II - Women Education and IKS: education of women in ancient India; education as empowerment; epistemic authority of women as composers, debaters and transmitters of knowledge (Gargi, Maitreyi, Lopamudra); institutional and social structures supporting women's education such as gurukul, oral traditions and domestic pedagogy; Brahmavadinis and Sadyodvahas; guru-shishya parampara as a gender-neutral pedagogical ideal.
• Theme III - Concept of Marriage and IKS: marriage in ancient Indian texts; essentiality of marriage in IKS; consent and companionship; marriage as an institution, negotiating failures and evolving realities; marriage as obligation or choice; marriage and property rights; sanctity of live-in relationships; transgender persons and their status.
• Theme IV - Women Health and IKS: definitions of health in Ayurveda, Sushruta and Ayush; women's health and agency; reproductive health, life-cycle diseases and end-of-life decisions; selfhood and dignity.
• Theme V - Women Participation in Public Life: status of women in ancient tradition and philosophy; women in governance and statecraft; participation in assemblies, debates and intellectual discourses; women's role in dispute resolution and adjudication; women's employment and economic participation; reimagining women's public roles through the lens of IKS.

All authors are required to relate their research to authentic classical theories and texts and to demonstrate the enduring value of Indian Knowledge Systems in contemporary times.

The conference welcomes submissions from scholars, academicians, professionals, experts and students from diverse fields, including law, political science, sociology, economics and other social sciences.

Co-authorship is permitted, but the registration fee is charged separately for each author and co-author.

Authors are asked to submit an extended abstract with keywords, meeting the following requirements.

• Word limit: 600 to 800 words.
• Language: English.
• The abstract must clearly set out the research problem or question, objectives of the study, methodology or approach (theoretical, doctrinal, empirical or interdisciplinary), key arguments, expected findings or outcomes, and 4 to 5 keywords.
• Submissions must be original and unpublished, and must not be under consideration elsewhere.
• Abstracts should align with the indicative themes of the conference.
• File format: .doc or .docx. Font: Times New Roman, size 12 for text and 10 for footnotes. Line spacing: 1.5.
• Citation style: 21st edition Bluebook. The extended abstract must carry appropriate references and citations.

All abstracts undergo a blind peer review. Papers that critically engage with primary ancient texts such as the Vedas, Smritis, Arthashastra or other classical sources and offer original interpretative insights will be given preference during review and selection.

The full paper should typically run to 6,000 to 8,000 words inclusive of references, tables and figures. Manuscripts must be prepared in MS Word and follow the same citation style as the abstract.

Final papers may be submitted after the conference, once feedback from the panel during the presentation has been incorporated, and may be considered for potential publication in an edited book.

The registration fee is Rs 1,500 inclusive of GST, charged for each author and co-author. There is no fee to submit an abstract.

Paper presenters register through a separate Google Form link that is shared after the abstract is accepted.

Abstracts must be submitted only through the official Google Form linked in the brochure and in the links below. The organisers have asked participants not to send abstracts by email.

After the abstract is accepted and the registration fee is paid, participants receive a separate link to submit the full working paper. The details entered during registration must be accurate, as the same details are used for all purposes including the issuance of certificates.