Research and Publications – Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law and Regulation at 91��Ƶ

Prof. Sidharth Chauhan and Dhruv Mehta, Unpacking CCl’s AI Study: Balancing Innovation and Competition in India, ET LEGAL WORLD

Zubair — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 07:05:16 +0000

Prof. Sidharth Chauhan, Director of the Centre, co-authored a piece in Legal World, The Economic Times, titled ‘Unpacking CCl’s AI Study: Balancing Innovation and Competition in India.’ The article offers an analysis of the Competition Commission of India’s latest market study on AI, examining how India is navigating the balance between fostering rapid technological advancement and ensuring fair market competition.

The piece explores key themes including market concentration in AI markets, the role of data advantage as a barrier to competition, and the regulatory frameworks necessary to support a healthy and competitive AI ecosystem.
The article is available at []

Book Chapter On AI, Legal Ambiguity And Unfair Trade Practices

Zubair — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 07:51:34 +0000

The Centre is pleased to share the publication of a book chapter titled “Legal Ambiguity Meets Artificial Intelligence: Unfair Trade Practices Under Indian Law and the Challenge of Automated Interpretation” by Prof. Krishna Deo Singh Chauhan, Associate Director of the Centre, in the International Handbook of Legal Language and Communication (Springer Nature). Co-authored with Prof. Anupriya of Jindal 91��Ƶ Law School, the chapter examines the growing use of artificial intelligence in regulatory enforcement, particularly in the context of unfair trade practices and dark patterns. The authors argue that while AI can assist in identifying harmful practices at scale, it remains ill-equipped to interpret inherently ambiguous legal concepts such as what constitutes “unfair” or “misleading” conduct. Drawing on interpretive theory, the chapter highlights the limitations of automated decision-making in areas where legal ambiguity is deliberate and persistent, and advocates for a framework that combines AI-enabled detection with human oversight and explainability.

Opinion Piece On Social Media Algorithms And Public Perception

Zubair — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 07:48:57 +0000

The Centre is pleased to share that Prof. Paavni Jain, Assistant Director at the Centre and Assistant Professor at Jindal 91��Ƶ Law School, authored an op-ed published in The Hindu examining the role of social media algorithms and cognitive biases in shaping public perception. Using the aftermath of the 2026 NEET paper leak protests as a point of departure, the article explores how algorithmically curated content can lead individuals to form vastly different understandings of the same event. The piece highlights concepts such as majority illusion, automation bias, and dataset bias, demonstrating how engagement-driven platforms influence the information users encounter. It concludes by underscoring the importance of critical information consumption, independent verification of facts, and greater transparency from public authorities to strengthen informed public discourse and counter the spread of misinformation. Read the full article: []

Prof. Nikhil N. Featured In Fortune India On Decentralised Technologies And Digital Governance

Zubair — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 07:46:38 +0000

The Centre is pleased to share that Prof. Nikhil N., Assistant Director at the Centre, was featured in Fortune India, where he offered his perspectives on the regulatory and constitutional issues arising from the Ministry of Home Affairs’ directive concerning repositories hosting the decentralised messaging application, Bitchat. In his remarks, Prof. Nikhil N. underscored the importance of balancing legitimate security concerns with constitutional safeguards, arguing that regulatory interventions should target unlawful conduct rather than privacy-enhancing technologies themselves. He further highlighted the need for enforcement measures to adhere to the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality while preserving avenues for public scrutiny and independent security research. The feature reflects the Centre’s continued engagement with critical questions at the intersection of technology, privacy, constitutional rights, and digital governance.

Research Article on AI Regulation: Trojan Horses, Shifting Windows and Estranging The Familiar

Zubair — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 07:35:02 +0000

The Centre is pleased to share that Mr. Krishna Deo Singh Chauhan, Associate Director of the Centre, co-authored a research article titled “AI Regulation: Trojan Horses, Shifting Windows and Estranging the Familiar,” published in the NLIU Law Review (Vol. XV, Issue II). Co-authored with Prof. Anupriya of Jindal 91��Ƶ Law School, the article examines the challenges of regulating artificial intelligence through existing legal frameworks that often treat emerging technologies as familiar objects despite their evolving capabilities and risks. Drawing on developments across jurisdictions, the authors argue that effective AI regulation requires a shift from formal classifications towards a deeper understanding of how AI systems function, the risks they generate, and the harms they may obscure. The article proposes a regulatory framework centred on categorical scepticism, functional classification, and pre-emptive scrutiny, offering valuable insights into how regulators can respond to the rapid advancement of AI technologies. The full article can be access at: []

Opinion Piece, Titled “The Bench Has Spoken On AI

Zubair — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 07:30:06 +0000

The Centre is pleased to share that Mr. Krishna Deo Singh Chauhan, Associate Director of the Centre, co-authored an opinion piece in The Hindu titled “The Bench Has Spoken on AI. Now the Law School Must Respond.” Co-written with Prof. Ashish Bharadwaj, the article examines the implications of the Supreme Court of India’s Draft Regulations for Use of AI in Courts, 2026 for legal education. The authors argue that as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into judicial processes, law schools must equip future lawyers not only with the skills to use AI effectively but also with the ability to critically assess its limitations and remain accountable for its use. The piece advocates for a holistic transformation of legal pedagogy that combines technical understanding, practical competence, and ethical judgment while preserving the foundational skills of legal analysis, research, writing, and critical reasoning.
Read the full article: []

Op-Ed On “Reframing Copyright For The Ai Age

Zubair — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 07:26:45 +0000

Prof. Kashish Makkar from the Cyril Shroff Centre for AI, Law and Regulation has authored an op-ed titled “Reframing Copyright for the AI Age,” published in Deccan Herald in both its print and digital editions on Saturday, 4 July 2026.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing ANI v. OpenAI proceedings before the Delhi High Court, Prof. Makkar examines how generative AI is challenging traditional approaches to copyright, particularly the distinction between using a work for its expression and using it as data for AI training.

The article argues that the key copyright concern may arise not at the point of training, but when AI-generated outputs begin to substitute for original human-created works. It also examines the Government’s proposed blanket licensing model as a potential approach to addressing these challenges.

The op-ed contributes to the Centre’s ongoing work at the intersection of intellectual property, technology, and regulation in India. The Centre has previously submitted detailed comments on the Government’s proposed blanket licensing approach.

Read the full op-ed here: []

Book Launch Of Technology Law: Regulations, Cyber Policy, And The Digital Landscape

Zubair — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:48:08 +0000

The Centre hosted the launch of the book Technology Law: Regulations, Cyber Policy, and the Digital Landscape, authored by Mr. Rodney D. Ryder, Founding and Senior Partner at Scriboard, and Prof. Nikhil N., Assistant Director at the Centre. The event marked an important addition to the growing body of scholarship at the intersection of law and technology.

The launch was graced by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Law and Justice, as Chief Guest. The event featured a keynote address by Mr. R. Venkataramani, Attorney General for India, who also contributed the introduction to the book. Special addresses were delivered by Mr. Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India, and Mr. Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog and India’s G20 Sherpa.
The session also saw the presence of Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar and Prof. (Dr.) Dipika Jain, alongside a critical appreciation of the book by Prof. (Dr.) S.G. Sreejith, which added a scholarly dimension to the discussion. The book offers a comprehensive examination of areas including the Information Technology Act, data protection, surveillance, online brand management, and emerging technologies.
The event contributed to advancing discourse on technology law in India and reflected the Centre’s continued engagement with emerging legal and policy questions in the digital landscape.

Publication On Rethinking India’s Cybercrime Law And Emerging Threats

Zubair — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:45:49 +0000

Prof. Nikhil Naren, Assistant Director at the Centre and Assistant Professor at Jindal 91��Ƶ Law School, along with Ms. Kashish Gupta, has published an article titled “Rethinking India’s Cybercrime Law: From Information Technology Act to Emerging Threats in a 91��Ƶ Context” in the International Review of Law, Computers & Technology (IRLCT), a Ql SCOPUS-indexed journal published by Taylor & Francis.
The article examines how national and international cybercrime frameworks are responding to emerging threats, including Al-driven cyberattacks, ransomware, deepfakes, financial fraud, and cross-border digital offences. Using India’s Information Technology Act as a case study, the work situates India within a comparative analysis of jurisdictions such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, China, and the European Union, while also evaluating alignment with international instruments including the Budapest Convention and the UN Convention against Cybercrime.

A key contribution of the study is its RTl-b as e d analysis highlighting an “implementation void” in India’s cybercrime preparedness. Findings from multiple Licensed Service Areas under the Department of Telecommunications indicate low and inconsistent expenditure on cyber hygiene and awareness measures, pointing to significant gaps in preventive infrastructure and public outreach.
The article argues that addressing cybercrime in India requires moving beyond a purely reactive enforcement model towards a resilience-oriented framework that emphasises prevention, institutional capacity, public awareness, and sustained investment in cyber governance.

Op-Ed On India’S Orange Economy And Policy Lessons

Zubair — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:43:19 +0000

Prof. Kashish Makkar from the Centre authored an op-ed titled “The Orange Economy: Government Schemes and Taking Cues from South Korea,” published in The Telegraph. The article examines India’s emerging focus on the “orange economy,” referring to value creation through creative sectors such as content, design, gaming, and intellectual property. It reflects on recent policy initiatives aimed at promoting this sector, including investments in content creation infrastructure and skill development.
The piece highlights structural challenges that limit the growth of the creative economy, particularly issues of institutional trust and regulatory environment.

It argues that the development of a thriving creative ecosystem requires more than financial investment, emphasising the role of trust, freedom of creation, and supportive policy frameworks. Drawing comparative insights from South Korea’s experience, the article underscores how sustained institutional support and policy coherence contributed to the global success of its creative industries. The op-ed calls for a more holistic approach to nurturing India’s creative economy by aligning policy design with social, institutional, and technological factors.