The Centre for Corporate Laws and Governance (CCLG), Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur, successfully organised the 1st Corporate Law Summit 2025 on 15th and 16th November 2025. The Summit was conducted in virtual mode, reflecting the University’s commitment to expand academic dialogue beyond geographical boundaries while ensuring accessibility for students, researchers, and professionals across India.
The theme of this year’s summit revolved around Corporate Governance, ESG, Sustainability, Accountability, and Emerging Challenges in Corporate Law, bringing together leading academicians, legal practitioners, industry experts, and student researchers.
The event consisted of two high-level panel discussions and nine technical sessions, featuring more than 80 research paper presentations, meticulously reviewed and selected from submissions received nationwide.
Inaugural Session
The Summit commenced at 10:00 AM, with the Director of CCLG, Dr Shruti Nandwana, delivering the welcome address. She outlined the vision behind the Summit, emphasising the role of legal research in shaping future corporate governance frameworks.
This was followed by the Inaugural Address by Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, DNLU. He highlighted the growing significance of ESG parameters, ethical corporate behaviour, digital accountability, and the transformation of India’s corporate law landscape. His address set the tone for two days of intensive discussion, reflection, and knowledge exchange.
Panel Discussion- Day 1
Theme: Capital and Conscience: ESG Investing and the Future of Corporate Finance
Panellists: Mr Vikas Kumar Jha, Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas & AOR, Supreme Court of India and Prof. (Dr.) Kiran Rai, Associate Professor, RMLNLU
The panel explored the global shift toward ESG-oriented investment models, the regulatory developments in India, and the challenges that companies face in balancing profitability with sustainability. The speakers evaluated the rapid emergence of green finance, SEBI’s evolving ESG framework, and global investor expectations. This session offered deep insights into India’s alignment with international ESG standards and future regulatory pathways.
Technical Sessions
Across the two days of the Corporate Law Summit 2025, the nine technical sessions brought together more than eighty research presentations, showcasing a wide spectrum of contemporary issues in corporate law. The discussions covered ESG governance, CSR frameworks, shareholder activism, digital accountability, cross-border insolvency, corporate frauds, white-collar crime, AI-driven market regulation, and evolving securities laws. Each session was chaired by distinguished academicians and practitioners who provided critical feedback, enabling participants to refine their arguments and engage in deeper dialogue. The multi-room format ensured smooth parallel deliberations and allowed diverse themes—ranging from sustainability and greenwashing to IPO reforms, forensic auditing, and data governance—to be examined in depth.
Collectively, the technical sessions demonstrated the rich academic curiosity of students and researchers nationwide, while also reflecting the rapid evolution of India’s corporate governance landscape. By combining doctrinal analysis, comparative perspectives, and empirical research, the sessions created a robust platform for scholarly exchange. They also highlighted the need for stronger accountability mechanisms, technology-aligned regulations, and ethical corporate practices. The breadth and rigor of the presentations significantly contributed to the success of the Summit, establishing it as a meaningful academic contribution to the field of corporate law.
Panel Discussion- Day 02
Theme: Trust in Turbulence: Corporate Ethics in the Age of Scandal
Panellists: Prof. (Dr.) Kondaiah Jonnalagadda, Head, Department of Law, MNLUCSN; Prof. (Dr.) Girjesh Shukla, Professor, HPNLU Shimla; and Mr Anchit Oswal, Partner, Khaitan & Co.
The panel delved into the evolving nature of corporate credibility amid rising instances of fraud, corporate scandals, and whistle-blower disclosures. The discussion highlighted the urgency of fostering ethical corporate cultures, promoting transparency in disclosures, and strengthening internal governance mechanisms. The speakers also examined emerging global trends in crisis management and corporate liability, offering participants valuable insights into the ethical and regulatory challenges confronting modern corporations.
The Summit was coordinated under the guidance of:
Director, CCLG: Dr Shruti Nandwana.
Convenor: Kanishk Meshram and Co-Convenor: Sarthak Mishra and other CCLG student members: Ansh Sharma, Agrima Raman, Arpit Tiwari, Uma Pareek, Iqra Khan, Vasu Shrivastava, Anvesh Agrawal, Rimsha Wagle, Gaouriy and Co-opts, Labdhi Jain, Sathvika Reddy and Vishnupriya Porwal.
The student organising team ensured seamless operation of all technical sessions, panel transitions, communication, documentation, and coordination with panellists. The multi-room technical sessions were conducted without any logistical interruptions, demonstrating meticulous planning and execution. The Summit saw participation from students and scholars from over 30 law universities, professionals from leading law firms such as CAM, SAM, Khaitan & Co., Trilegal, LKS, and Singhania & Co. Academicians from premier national law universities and more than 80 papers were presented across nine technical sessions, enabling participants to engage in detailed discussions on sustainability, technology, governance, accountability, and market regulation.