Call for Papers: National Conference on “Kautilya’s Arthashastra: Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Legal Thought”

Call for Abstracts | National Conference (Hybrid Mode)

The Kautilya Centre for Law and Economics (KCLE) & Centre for Study and Research in Vedic Jurisprudence (CSRVJ), National Law University, Tripura, in collaboration with Tripura Law and Training Institute, Tripura , are pleased to announce a Two-Day National Conference on “Kautilya’s Arthashastra: Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Legal Thought.

Theme 1: Kautilya’s Arthashastra — A Foundational Text in Governance and Law

• Structure, authorship, and interpretive evolution of the Arthashastra.
• Principles of governance, justice, and ethics in the Mauryan polity.
• The King as the fountain of justice: duties, accountability, and moral responsibility.

Theme 2: Arthashastra and the Concept of Rule of Law

• Administration of justice and the role of judges in Kautilya’s framework.
• Legal procedure, evidence, and punishment in ancient India.
• Comparative study: Kautilyan jurisprudence and the Indian Constitution.

Theme 3: Statecraft, Economy, and Legal Regulation

• Economic governance, taxation, and public finance in the Arthashastra.
• Anti-corruption mechanisms and administrative ethics.
• Corporate accountability and regulation of trade and commerce in ancient India.

Theme 4: Security, Espionage, and Public Order: The Legal Dimension

• Internal security and law enforcement systems.
• Espionage, surveillance, and state intelligence: ancient and modern perspectives.
• Rights, duties, and safety of citizens under Kautilya’s model.

Theme 5: Kautilyan Thought and Modern Indian Legal Philosophy

• The philosophical foundations of dharma, nyaya, and artha in modern jurisprudence.
• Ethical leadership and constitutional morality: lessons from Arthashastra.
• Relevance of Kautilyan statecraft for contemporary governance and policy reforms

Dates : 20–21 March, 2026
Mode : Hybrid
Venue : National Law University, Tripura

The conference advances the University Grants Commission’s vision of promoting Indian Knowledge Systems by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among law, economics, and political science while also enriching legal pedagogy and research. By situating ancient principles of dharma, artha, and nyaya within present-day constitutional and regulatory frameworks, the conference not only deepens scholarly understanding but also contributes meaningfully to debates on governance reform, legal philosophy, and public policy in contemporary India.

Abstract Submission Deadline: 5th, March 2026
The ten best research papers presented during the conference will be awarded certificates of excellence and subsequently published as book chapters in an edited volume to be brought out by Eastern Book Company (EBC), a leading legal publisher in India.

Abstract Submission Link:
https://forms.gle/dhdYWPLVYWaqhyum9

Academicians, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students are cordially invited to contribute and participate.

Brochure Document

For information:
Please visit our website : www.nlutripura.ac.in

For queries:
Please email us at : events@nlutripura.ac.in , pradip.chouhan@nlutripura.ac.in

Thank you