About the Institution
The University of Engineering & Management (UEM), Kolkata, established under Act No. 25 of 2014 by the Government of West Bengal, is a premier private university located in New Town, Kolkata. Approved by AICTE, UGC, and the Bar Council of India (BCI), UEM offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across Engineering, Management, Law, and allied disciplines. It is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (London) and the Association of Indian Universities. The Department of Law (IIIJS) at UEM Kolkata offers a 5-year integrated BBA LL.B. (Hons.) programme recognized by the BCI. Under the leadership of Dean Prof. (Dr.) Shambhu Prasad Chakrabarty, the department actively conducts national conferences, moot courts, webinars, and interdisciplinary initiatives at the intersection of jurisprudence, technology, and public policy.
About the Event: GavThon 1.0
With over 50 million cases pending in Indian courts and emerging technologies rapidly transforming the legal landscape, the Department of Law (IIIJS), UEM Kolkata presents GavThon 1.0 (1st IIIJS Legal Hackathon, 2026). This national-level inter-university hackathon provides a collaborative platform for students across Law, Engineering, Management, Computer Science, and allied disciplines to ideate, prototype, and build solutions addressing real-world legal and regulatory challenges.
- Central Theme: “Justice in the Age of Technology: Innovate, Advocate, Transform”
- Mode: Online (Live via designated video-conferencing platform)
- Grand Finale Dates: 17th – 18th December 2026
Media Partner: Knowledge Steez
Problem Tracks
Participants must select one of the following four tracks:
- Track A: Access to Justice & Legal Aid
Design technology-driven solutions to enhance legal aid delivery, community legal literacy, and justice access for marginalized, rural, and peri-urban populations.
- Track B: AI & Court Technology
Propose AI-powered tools for judicial efficiency, including case management, automated summarization, multilingual chatbots, defect removal in filings, and predictive analytics.
- Track C: LegalTech Startup & Business Innovation
Conceptualize and pitch a scalable legal startup model automating contract management, compliance, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), or legal service delivery.
- Track D: Law, Policy & Governance
Draft evidence-based policy reforms addressing regulatory gaps in data privacy, environmental regulations, labor rights, cyber law, or criminal justice administration.
Eligibility & Team Formation
- Open to all currently enrolled undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and doctoral (PhD) students across India.
- Open to all disciplines: Law, Engineering, Management, Computer Applications, Sciences, and allied streams.
- Team Size: 2 to 4 members.
- Institutional Composition: All team members must belong to the same institution (cross-department/interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged; cross-institutional teams are not permitted).
- At least one member with a legal studies background is encouraged.
- Individual participation is not permitted.
Competition Structure
Round 1: Screening Round (Abstract Submission)
- Submit a structured abstract (maximum 1,000 words, PDF in English) via the Google Form during registration.
- Content: Title, Problem Track, Problem Statement, Proposed Solution, and Anticipated Impact.
- Blind review process: Do not include student names or institutional identity in the abstract body or file properties.
- Up to 20 teams will qualify for Round 2.
Round 2: Preliminary Round (Concept Document)
- Shortlisted teams submit an 8-page Concept Document (PDF, English) covering the methodology, USP, impact analysis, and legal/regulatory framework (ILI citation method).
- Top 8 teams advance to the Grand Finale.
Round 3: Grand Finale (Pitch & Prototype Showcase)
- Finalists receive dedicated mentoring sessions between 8th – 12th December 2026.
- Teams submit a 15-page final report, presentation deck (max 20 slides), and a 1-minute summary video by 14th December 2026.
17th December 2026 (Day 1): Virtual inaugural address, prototype demo showcase (5 mins), and expert panel on AI & Law.
18th December 2026 (Day 2): Live 15-minute final pitch + 8-minute Q&A before the Grand Jury, followed by the valedictory and awards ceremony.
Awards & Prizes
- Winning Team (1st Place): INR 5,000 + Trophy + Certificate of Excellence + Special Commendation from the Dean
- 1st Runner-Up: INR 3,500 + Trophy + Certificate of Merit
- 2nd Runner-Up: INR 2,500 + Trophy + Certificate of Merit
- Special Recognition Awards: Trophies & Certificates for:
- Best Innovation Award
- Best Legal Research Award
- Best Social Impact Award
- All Registered Teams: E-Certificate of Participation
- All Grand Finalist Teams: Certificate of Merit
Important Dates
| Registration Opens | 30th October 2026 |
| Last Date to Register & Submit Abstract (Round 1) | 15th November 2026 (23:59 IST) |
| Announcement of Shortlisted Teams (Round 1) | 20th / 25th November 2026 |
| Round 2 Concept Document Submission Deadline | 1st / 5th December 2026 |
| Announcement of Grand Finalists (Top 8) | 7th December 2026 |
| Mentoring Sessions for Finalists | 8th – 12th December 2026 |
| Final Report & Deck Submission | 14th December 2026 |
| Grand Finale (Online) | 17th – 18th December 2026 |
Registration Fee & Payment Details
- Registration Fee: INR 1,199/- (inclusive of GST) per team.
- For IEM-UEM Group Students: Free of cost.
- The fee is non-refundable and covers participation through all competition stages.
How to Register?
- Complete the registration form online: Click Here to Register
- Upload participant ID cards, a signed bona fide certificate from your Head/Dean/Principal, fee payment proof, and the Round 1 Abstract (PDF) directly in the form.
Contact Information
- Email: events@uem.edu.in
- Website: edu.in/uem-kolkata/department-of-law/event
- Address: Department of Law (IIIJS), University of Engineering & Management (UEM), New Town, Action Area III, Kolkata – 700160
For More Info – GavThon 1.0
