Call for Papers: Journal of Constitutional Studies, Volume I, Issue I: Submit Abstract by 20th November

Journal of Constitutional Studies invites submissions for its inaugural issue. Academicians, researchers, practitioners, and students are encouraged to submit abstracts for their research papers by  20th November 2026.

About Journal of Constitutional Studies

Journal of Constitutional Studies is an academic publication that aims to provide a platform for scholars, researchers, and advocates to explore and analyse issues related to constitutional law. It aims at advancing the understanding and discourse surrounding constitutional law and theory. With a global perspective, JCS aims to foster critical analysis and informed dialogue on constitutional issues that shape the foundations of governance in diverse societies. The journal is committed to providing a platform for rigorous academic research, insightful commentary, and practical applications in the field of constitutional studies.

JCS is a double-blind, peer-reviewed journal. It is published half-yearly, with each issue featuring articles, essays, book reviews, and commentaries by students, academicians, faculty members, constitutional law experts and others. 

The primary objectives of the Journal of Constitutional Studies are:

• To Foster Academic Research

• To Engage with Contemporary Constitutional Issues

About Call for Papers

The Editorial Board is pleased to invite submissions from academics, researchers, practitioners, and students. The journal is published biannually and features special issues on specific themes or emerging areas of constitutional discourse.

Themes

The Journal of Constitutional Studies encompasses a wide range of topics within constitutional law and theory, including but not limited to: 

1. Constitutionalism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Governance

Sub-themes: 

1. AI, Surveillance and the Right to Privacy (Article 21)

2. The DPDP Act v. the Right to Information

3. Algorithmic State Action and Due Process versus Human Decision-making

4. AI in the Courtroom

5. Digital Federalism

2. Constitutional Liberty and Criminal Process under the New Criminal Law    Framework (BNSS/BNS/BSA)

Sub-themes: 

1. Bail Jurisprudence and the Bail Is the Rule Doctrine Reaffirm the Primacy of Personal Liberty Under Article 21, Which Cannot Be Displaced by Ordinary Legislation.

2. UAPA, Custody, and Constitutional Liberty

3. Custodial Accountability and Article 21

3. Judicial Institutions and Constitutional Accountability

Sub-themes: 

1. Collegium Reform and Judicial Appointments Transparency

2. In-House Procedure v. Judicial Accountability Mechanisms

3. Contempt Jurisdiction and Its Constitutional Limits

4. Criminal Justice Reform and Sentencing Constitutionalism

Sub-themes: 

1. Juvenile Justice Procedural Safeguards

2. Wrongful Conviction and Delayed Justice From the Lens of Article 21

3. Sentencing Without Remission: The Rise of Special Category Life Terms

4. Life Without Remission: Sentencing By Judicial Fiat

5. Death Row and the Constitutionality of Delay

6. Remission, Pardon, and Executive Mercy

7. Use of Risk-assessment/Predictive Tools In Sentencing Decisions and Article 21

5. Indian Federalism and Centre–State Relations

Sub-themes: 

1. Fiscal federalism: the GST Council, cess and surcharge, vertical devolution, and the Finance Commission.

2. Delimitation and the federal bargain, covering population-based reallocation of Lok Sabha seats and southern-state under-representation.

6. Electoral Democracy and the Integrity of the Franchise

Sub-themes: 

1. Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls

2. The Electoral Bonds Aftermath: Corporate Funding, Transparency, and the Constitutional Road After ADR v. Union of India (2024).

3. Independence of the Election Commission: "One Nation, One Election" and the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill

7. Secularism, Religious Freedom and Denominational Autonomy (Articles 25–26)

Sub-themes: 

1. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025: Constitutional challenges to the Act, the Supreme Court’s interim order of 15 September 2025, and the limits of secular regulation of religious endowments vis-à-vis essential religious practices. 

2. The Places of Worship Act, 1991 and the status quo as on 15 August 1947 rule.

3. Anti-conversion laws and the scope of the right to "propagate" under Article 25.

8. Equality, Affirmative Action and the Constitution's Social-Justice Mandate

Sub-themes: 

1. Sub-Classification within Scheduled Castes and the “Creamy Layer” Question After State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh (2024).

2. EWS Reservation After Janhit Abhiyan and the Continuing Relevance of the 50% Ceiling.

3. Horizontal Reservation, Intersectionality (Gender and Disability), and Reservation In Promotions.

9. Environmental and Climate Constitutionalism

Sub-themes: 

1. The Right Against the Adverse Effects of Climate Change Recognised in M.K. Ranjitsinh v. Union of India (2024) as an aspect of Articles 14 and 21.

2. Green Federalism and the Constitutional Footing of the NGT.

10. Free Speech, Digital Platforms and the New Landscape of Speech Offences

Sub-themes: 

1. Constitutionality of Section 152 BNS (Acts Endangering Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity).

2. Regulation of Online Real-Money Gaming and Article 19(1)(g).

3. Intermediary Liability, the IT Rules, and the Fact-Check Unit Litigation, in light of Shreya Singhal.

4. Hate Speech, Criminal Defamation, and the Chilling Effect on Political and Journalistic Expression.

5. Deepfakes, Synthetic Media, and Constitutional Regulation

6. Personality Rights Through the Lens of the Right To Privacy.

Submission Guidelines

The authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors who do not adhere to these guidelines:

• All submissions must accompany an abstract of not more than 300 words.

• The submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration.

• The submission should only be mailed in either file format, i.e., .doc OR .docx. No other format shall be accepted.

• All submissions should be sent with a separate cover letter indicating the following: 

  • Name of the Author(s), 

  • Institutional Affiliation,

  • Email address

  • Contact Number (preferably WhatsApp) and

  • the topic of the paper.

• A maximum of two authors is allowed. The co-authored paper should give the aforementioned details about both authors.

• The authors shall strictly adhere to the ILI Citation format for reference.

• The author must send a duly signed and dated copy of Annexure 1, along with the submission.

• Plagiarism up to a maximum of 15% is permitted.

• Submit your abstract to submission.jcs@tscld.com with all the relevant details.

Types of Submissions

• Short Articles: 3,000 words – 5,000 words

• Long Articles: 5,000 – 8,000 words

• Legislative and Case Notes: 2,000 – 4,000 words

• Book Reviews: 2,000 – 4,000 words

Formatting Guidelines

For Articles

1. Footnotes 

   1. Font: Palatino Linotype

   2. Font size: 10

   3. Line spacing: 1.0

2. Main Body

   1. Font: Palatino Linotype

   2. Font size: 12

   3. Line Space: 1.5 

3. Each heading is required to have a structure that is consistent throughout.

4. The authors shall strictly adhere to the ILI Citation format for reference.

5. Only .doc/.docx format is allowed file format for any articles. 

6. The following are the suggested sections to be included in the manuscript:

   1. Title page

   2. Abstract

   3. Keywords

   4. Introduction

   5. Research & Analysis divided into various chapters. 

   6. Conclusion and Suggestions

   7. References

For Legislative and Case Notes

1. Case Name & Citation

2. Index of Authorities (list of cases referred with page numbers)

3. Head Notes

4. Primary Details of the Case

   1. General Details (like Court Name, Case Number, etc.) 

   2. Specific Details (case-specific details like witnesses in a criminal case)

   3. Prosecution Witnesses (list of names of the witnesses)

   4. Defence Witnesses (list of names of the witnesses)

5. Brief facts of the Case

6. Issues raised in the Case (as stated in judgment – questions of law) 

7. Arguments Advanced by the Parties

8. Judgement (Analysis by the Judge on each issue)

   1. Ratio Decidendi (issue-wise)

   2. Analysing Issue No. 1

   3. Analysing Issue No. 2

   4. Obitur Dictum (opinion of judges which is material for the interpretation of the judgment, or any remarkable statement made by Hon’ble Judges)

9. Commentary

   1. Author’s Comment

   2. Judgments Overruled / Surpassed (Partly or Wholly) (if any), (mention the judgment which overruled the judgment being analysed).

10. References

    1. Sources referred to for commentary (in bullet points as per the ILI citation format)

    2. Important Cases or Cases Referred.

How to Submit?

Interested candidates can send submit their paper via an email to submission.jcs@tscld.com.

Submission Deadline

1. The last date for submission of the abstract: 20th November 2026

2. Intimation of acceptance/rejection of the abstract: 25th November 2026

3. The last date for submission of the full paper: 15th December 2026

Publication Policy

1. All submissions should be original and authentic work of the author.

2. The Editorial Board will follow the Peer-Review policy for deciding upon the publication of the submissions.

3. The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject or edit any article if found unsuitable for public consumption. 

4. An article may also be rejected if the Board deems that it might harm the political or religious sensitivity of interested readers in any manner.

5. Any one author is supposed to send a self-attested copyright declaration form stating the originality of the paper and transferring consent of publication in the JCS.

6. Once a paper is published in JCS, the author cannot republish the same work in any other journal or self-publish without the consent of JCS.

Contact Information

1. Publisher: Mr. Himanshu Raj

2. Email: submission.jcs@tscld.com 

3. In case of any queries, do not hesitate to contact us at submission.jcs@tscld.com.