About the Organisation
The Kautilya School of Public Policy at GITAM (Deemed to be University), Hyderabad, hosts the 4th Edition of Kautilya Colloquy, an academic conference aimed at converging scholars, researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students to tackle key challenges in governance and public policy.
About the Event
The 2026 edition of Kautilya Colloquy carries the theme “Policy Pathways: From Roots to Routes,” focusing on the evolution of public policy influenced by historical legacies, current choices, and future possibilities. It invites papers that reflect on the roots of contemporary governance and explore new avenues for inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
Themes and Areas of Research
Institutions and Administration
Land Administration and Acquisition Frameworks
Preventive Law and Emergency Governance
Administrative Language Systems and Access to Public Services
Geopolitical Structures and Strategic Memory
Borders, Migration and Regional Security Dynamics
Trade Networks, Resource Geopolitics and Strategic Dependencies
Identity, Memory and National Narratives in Foreign Policy
Social Systems and Ecological Transformation
Infrastructure Models and Public Mobility
Waste Management and Urban Climate
Labour Informality and Social Protection
Economic Structures and Financial Governance
Currency and Public Trust
Agriculture Security Frameworks
Tax Structures and Digital Compliance
Economic Institutions: Enablers or Extensions of Red-Tapism
Technological Governance and Institutional Futures
Digital Identity, Data Governance and State Infrastructures
Cybersecurity, Regulation and Technological Governance
Emerging Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence for Governance
Interdisciplinary topics related to the theme are encouraged.
Approaches to the Theme
Inherited Futures: The Weight of Yesterday – Exploration of how historical policy choices influence current governance and constrain future options.
Scrying Futures: The Lock-Ins of Today – Examination of present decisions creating long-term trajectories and systemic impact.
Looking Glass: The Spectre of Untaken Paths – Analysis of alternate policy routes and moments where different choices could have been made.
Submission Guidelines
Paper Length: 5000-7000 words (excluding references)
Citation Style: APA 7th Edition
Authorship: Open to individual and team submissions
Accepted Submission Types: Full papers, Work-in-progress papers
Presentation Time: 8 minutes plus Q&A
Adherence to time limits is mandatory for fair participation
All submissions will be originality-checked via Turnitin
Publication & Recognition
Papers will be reviewed for academic rigor, originality, and relevance.
The best paper will be considered for publication in the Kautilya Working Paper Series, subject to revisions.
Cash Prizes:
1st Prize: ₹25,000
2nd Prize: ₹20,000
Certificates of presentation and access to policy networking sessions will be provided to participants.
Venue
Kautilya School of Public Policy, GITAM University, Hyderabad Campus
Important Dates
Full Paper Submission Deadline: August 30, 2025
Presentation Submission Deadline: September 23, 2026
Registration Fee
₹500 – Payable only upon selection
How to Submit?
Interested candidates can submit their papers via the official submission link provided by the organisers.
Click here to Submit.
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