Lexathon is one of the few dedicated technology law conclaves in the region, conceptualised and organised by LexTech — Centre for Law, Entrepreneurship and Innovation at National Law University Odisha. Designed as a multi-dimensional academic and professional platform, the event brings together students, practitioners, and industry experts to engage with emerging issues at the intersection of law and technology.
With this second edition, Lexathon has established its position as a dynamic academic platform for technology law, encouraging critical discourse through competitions, panel discussions, and collaborative engagements. We aim to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application in areas such as data protection, artificial intelligence, digital markets, and fintech, while also encouraging innovation, research, and policy-oriented thinking among participants.
Day 1: Start-Up Pitch Competition
Lexathon 2026 commenced with the Start-Up Pitch Competition, organised in collaboration with Start-Up Odisha and Atal Incubation Centre. The event opened with a welcome address by Ms. Trishna Agrawalla, followed by an ideation session by Mr. Manoj Kumar Dandapat, who introduced participants to the principles of design thinking—emphasising empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing. Participants pitched innovative ideas across domains, including legal-tech solutions like Pakka Bol, environmental innovations such as Aqua Pure, and social impact initiatives like Roots to Riches. The competition saw two engaging sessions, with diverse proposals evaluated on feasibility, scalability, and innovation. The event concluded with closing remarks by Ms. Suddata Barrik and Ms. Anjali Pande. Pakka Bol emerged as the winner, followed by Babycue and Campus Compass, marking a strong start to the three-day conclave.
Day 2: Paper Presentation Competition
Day 2 featured the Paper Presentation Competition, with participants presenting on contemporary issues in technology law before an expert panel from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. The session began with an inaugural address by Ms. Trishna Agrawalla. Presentations addressed critical themes such as data sovereignty, AI regulation, digital competition law, intermediary liability, and the DPDP Act. The discussions reflected both doctrinal depth and policy-oriented analysis, with participants engaging rigorously with emerging regulatory challenges. Post presentations, an interactive session with the judges provided valuable insights into careers in TMT law. The top five papers were selected for publication, underscoring the academic rigor of the competition. Sambhav Mukherjee secured first place, followed by Sara Mishra and Shantanu Vyas with Shambhavi Tripathi. The day concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Anjali Pande, marking a successful academic exchange.
Day 3: Policy Presentation Competition
The final day of Lexathon 2026 hosted the Policy Presentation Competition in collaboration with Regstreet Law Advisors. The session commenced with a welcome address by Ms. Trishna Agrawalla, introducing LexTech and the objectives of the competition. Participants presented comprehensive policy frameworks addressing AI regulation in India’s securities market, focusing on algorithmic accountability, investor protection, and regulatory lacunae. Proposals incorporated comparative legal analysis, stakeholder mapping, and implementation strategies, reflecting a strong policy-oriented approach. The judging panel appreciated the analytical depth while encouraging participants to adopt more concrete and regulator-centric recommendations. Ishita Ghughariwala secured first place, followed by Kavya Mudavat and Ayan Noor, and Hrudya Ravi with Saundarya Soni. The event concluded with a closing address by Ms. Anjali Pande, formally marking the end of Lexathon 2026 on a high note.
