CATALYST 3.0 - Startup Law and Policy Summit 2026, CNLU Patna
Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Legal Entrepreneurship (CIILE), Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna.Overview
CATALYST 3.0 - Startup Law and Policy Summit 2026 is a national paper presentation summit organised by the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Legal Entrepreneurship (CIILE) at Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna. The summit day is on 22 August 2026 at the CNLU Campus.
This year's edition centres on the intersection of banking, venture capital, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as the three pillars shaping India's startup economy, examining how structured debt, equity financing, and strategic consolidation drive the resilience and scalability of startups. If you research startup law, banking and finance, or corporate transactions, this is a strong platform to present your work and engage with leading practitioners.
About the organiser
Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) was established under the Chanakya National Law University Act, 2006 (Bihar Act No. 24 of 2006). CIILE is a not-for-profit centre at CNLU that promotes legal and social entrepreneurship, research, and innovation. The Startup Cell at CNLU, set up under the Bihar Startup Policy 2022, has been ranked 3rd among all startup cells in Bihar by the Department of Industries, Government of Bihar.
The summit's internship partner is JSA Advocates & Solicitors (J. Sagar Associates), a premier full-service national law firm, with SCC Online as knowledge partner.
Theme and sub-themes
The summit focuses on Banking and Finance (B&F) and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A). The following sub-themes are suggestive; participants are free to choose any topic within B&F and M&A:
- Bank-Financed Acquisitions and the Liberalisation of Acquisition Finance in India
- Leveraged Buyouts, Structured Debt and Acquisition Financing in Corporate Transactions
- Distressed Acquisitions and Resolution-Based Deal-Making under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
- External Commercial Borrowings (ECB), Cross-Border Capital Flows and Financing of Corporate Acquisitions
- Regulatory Interface in Corporate Deal-Making: RBI, SEBI, CCI and MCA Oversight
- Digital Lending, FinTech Regulation and the Evolving Architecture of Credit Markets
- Private Credit, Alternative Capital Structures and the Transformation of Corporate Financing
- Banking Governance, Risk Management and Regulatory Accountability
- Financial Inclusion, Neo-Banking and Technology-Driven Innovation in Banking Regulation
- Shadow Banking, NBFC Regulation and Systemic Stability
Who can submit
The competition is open to students pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD programmes at any recognised university in India. Participants must produce a university-issued ID card or a bonafide certificate confirming their enrolment.
A maximum of two authors is permitted per team. Cross-institutional teams are allowed.
Submission guidelines
Submissions must be original, unpublished work in English.
- Abstract: 150-250 words with 5 keywords
- Word count: 2,500-3,000 words (excluding footnotes)
- Format: Times New Roman, font size 12, 1.5 line spacing, justified, one-inch margins; title in caps, bold, size 14, centred
- Citations: OSCOLA (4th edition), footnotes only
- Plagiarism limit: 10% (zero-tolerance policy); use of AI is strictly prohibited
- Submit the full paper in MS Word (.doc/.docx); the manuscript must not reveal author identity
Registration and fees
Non-CNLU students: INR 800 (single author), INR 1,500 (co-authors). CNLU students: INR 600 (single author), INR 1,100 (co-authors). For cross-institutional teams with one CNLU student, the CNLU co-authorship fee applies.
Finalists pay an additional INR 2,000 each towards accommodation and food. Registration fees are non-refundable.
Important dates
- Registration opens: 19 June 2026
- Registration and fee payment deadline: 15 July 2026
- Full paper submission: 20 July 2026
- Result and intimation to top 8 teams: 12 August 2026
- Paper presentation and panel discussion (summit day): 22 August 2026
How to submit
Register and pay the fee through the official Google Form before 15 July 2026. There are separate forms for non-CNLU students and CNLU students (see the links section). Submission details for the full paper will be communicated by email to registered participants.
Checklist
- Confirm you are enrolled in a UG, PG or PhD programme at a recognised Indian university
- Form a team of at most two authors (cross-institutional allowed)
- Register and pay the fee via the correct Google Form by 15 July 2026
- Prepare an original abstract (150-250 words, 5 keywords) and full paper (2,500-3,000 words)
- Format per OSCOLA 4th edition, footnotes only, under 10% plagiarism, no AI
- Submit the full paper by 20 July 2026