Hi guys, I am a first year PhD studen and new to the
world of academic conferences. I'm planning to respond to a
call for papers which specifies two separate deadlines : one for
panel proposals and the other for individual papers. Could anyone out there please explain to me what a panel proposal is? Thanks so much! Cheers!

A panel proposal is a group proposal for a panel (usually three) of papers that are linked by a similar topic. If you send in an individual proposal (this is the normal option) you'll get assigned a panel which will contain other linked papers, and a chair who sould be reasonably familiar with your field.

Thanks so much :)

Have a nice day.