BCI halts NALSAR 2026 enrolment over CJI convocation invite; later modifies order

The students also opposed Chief Justice Surya Kant attending the convocation at the Bengaluru law school.

Hyderabad: Over 400 alumni of the NALSAR University of Law here on Friday criticised the Bar Council of India over its now-withdrawn order to conduct an inquiry and submit a report naming faculty and students who expressed their views on inviting the Chief Justice of India to this year’s convocation.An open letter signed by 441 NALSAR alumni has condemned the Bar Council of India’s attempt to initiate an inquiry against students and faculty over their views on inviting the Chief Justice of India to the university’s convocation. The alumni criticised the BCI’s withdrawn… pic.twitter.com/pr5gGizkXt— IANS (@ians_india) August 14, 2026 In an open letter to BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, they referred to the bar council's first letter on August 13 that barred NALSAR students graduating in 2026 from enrolling as advocates, and condemned the so called "attempt to persecute students and faculty" members of NALSAR.Though the bar on enrolment and the demand for an inquiry and report were withdrawn in another letter, "the letters reflect a lack of empathy for students and their mental health, disregard for the fundamental right to free speech, and a tendency to deal with matters of young students and educated faculty in an arbitrary and high-handed manner," they alleged.Also Watch: The BCI had no jurisdiction to issue these letters, they said.What is more disturbing is that the language of the first letter reflects a predisposition to dominate students and faculty with coercive threats that restrict speech on university campuses, putting tremendous pressure on the mental health of students, they claimed.‘Moral Responsibility’: CJP’s Saurav Das Demands Manan Kumar Mishra’s Resignation After CJI Surya Kant Slams BCI Order Against NALSAR Students According to the alumni, the emails sent by the students of NALSAR to their Vice Chancellor, raising objections over any proposal to invite CJI Surya Kant, was an internal matter of NALSAR.It was no occasion for a statutory body entrusted with regulating the profession and the standards of legal education to call for a "witch hunt of students and faculty", they said.The BCI has no role in regulating matters of free speech on university campuses, they said.'Who Are They To Interfere': Supreme Court Slams BCI Over NALSAR Enrolment Ban, Says Students Have Right To Protest The BCI letters signal as if the students and faculty were hatching a criminal conspiracy, the alumni claimed.If the BCI has an opinion on the present matter in NALSAR, it should approach it with the spirit of dialogue and discussion, not coercion and domination. That unfortunately only came as an afterthought, subsequent to the backlash against the letters issued by BCI, they said in the letter.Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday sharply pulled up the BCI for its order that the 2026 graduates of NALSAR University of Law not be enrolled as advocates following their objections to inviting him as the Chief Guest for the institution's convocation.NALSAR Convocation Row: BCI Orders State Bar Councils To Halt Enrolment Of 2026 Law Graduates, Seeks Report On Campaign Organisers The BCI on Thursday directed all state bar councils not to enrole any 2026 graduate of NALSAR University of Law as an advocate until further orders and had sought a report identifying those responsible.However, within hours after an uproar on social media, the BCI reversed this order.A section of students of the premier law institute had in July written to the vice chancellor, registrar and professors of the institution, opposing any proposal to invite the CJI as chief guest to the varsity's convocation, the date of which is yet to be announced. (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

The BCI Council subsequently modified the Chairman’s order and said that all NALSAR 2026 graduates would be entitled to enrol with the State Bar Council of their choice

CJI Surya Kant said students had a right to protest as the top court questioned the Bar Council of India’s action against NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday took a stern view of a Bar Council of India (BCI) circular directing all state bar councils not to enrol any 2026 batch graduate of NALSAR University of Law as advocates, saying students have a right to protest.Also Watch: A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said the BCI has nothing to do in the matter as it was a dialogue between him and the students."They (students) have a right to protest. Who can stop them," the CJI, who was heading a bench which also comprised Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said."It's a dialogue between me and students. Who are they (BCI) to interfere," the CJI said.Supreme Court Quashes Rahul Gandhi’s Savarkar Case, Cites Missing UP Govt Sanction The observations came after a plea challenging the BCI circular was mentioned for urgent listing.The bench issued notice to the BCI seeking its response on the plea and directed that no punitive action be taken against the students or faculty of the NALSAR at the instance of the BCI or any other state bar councils.The counsel appearing for the BCI told the bench that the circular has been withdrawn.Delhi High Court, IGI Airport Among Six Locations Hit By Bomb Threats Ahead Of Independence Day The bench posted the matter for hearing after two weeks.On August 13, the BCI directed all state bar councils not to enrol any 2026 graduate of NALSAR University of Law as advocates until further orders, but reversed this order within hours after an uproar on social media.In the first statement, BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra said it was examining allegations regarding a campaign against CJI Kant's participation in the university's convocation and had sought a report identifying those responsible.UP Revenue Courts Clear Over 10.96 Lakh Mutation Cases, Pending Land Disputes Reduced Through Special Drives The apex statutory body for lawyers said a final decision in the matter would be taken on August 19 after considering the material placed before it.The BCI then modified its decision after the uproar on social media and allowed state bar councils to enrol 2026 graduates of NALSAR University of Law as advocates.The new notification modified the earlier order, saying the "vast majority" of the students were innocent and should not be made to suffer for the alleged misconduct of a few.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

The Bar Council of India withdrew its direction to State Bar Councils to halt the enrolment of 2026 NALSAR University of Law graduates, hours after issuing the order.

On August 13, the BCI had directed all state bar councils not to enroll any 2026 graduate of NALSAR University of Law as an advocate until further orders.

Following the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) statement that there would be an inquiry against students enrolled at Hyderabad’s National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law for opposing Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s invitation at their annual convocation, NALSAR students expressed concern about how this could impact their careers. On Thursday, the BCI had initially directed state bar councils not to enrol any students from NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch as advocates. However, within a couple of hours of issuing the directive, the BCI issued a second letter to NALSAR Vice-Chancellor Professor Srikrishna Deva Rao and all state bar councils, rescinding its earlier order. The BCI said it would, however, proceed with an inquiry based on a report from the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor before deciding whether to take action against students found responsible.“The vast majority of the students of NALSAR (2026 pass-out students) are innocent and were not inclined to take part in the move of disrespect... It has further been reported by some reliable sources that a handful of teachers and outsiders were instrumental in instigating the innocent students,” BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said in the second letter.However, Vice-Chancellor Srikrishna Deva Rao said the university would assess whether such an inquiry was permissible. “We would have to assess whether such an inquiry was a constitutional exercise of their powers,” the VC said. “In order to assist the University, assess whether conducting such an inquiry would be constitutional and permissible under the University’s governance regulations, the matter will be placed before the Executive Council of the University.” Meanwhile, speaking to The News Minute, a student of the outgoing 2026 batch who was among those who signed the representation opposing the CJI’s visit said that the redacted statement from the BCI did little to assuage their fears. The student also took issue with the BCI’s letter dubbing students as ‘innocent’ and as a group that were ‘instigated’. “We weren’t naive when we wrote to the NALSAR administration,” the student told TNM. “We haven’t been misled by anyone. We just did not want to accept our degree from a man who dubbed the youth of this country ‘cockroaches’,” the student said, adding that they just wanted to receive their degree from someone who ‘values free speech’ and ‘respects the Constitution.’The student, requesting anonymity also told TNM that the BCI’s insistence on an enquiry did scare them. “For those of us who want to go into litigation, this is worrisome. But even for those who choose to go into corporate law, the BCI’s enquiry still matters as it has the potential to act as a shadow ban on hiring,” the student added. A shadow ban in hiring is when job boards silently limit the visibility of a job applicant without informing them. Around 450 students at NALSAR had opposed the invitation to CJI Surya Kant to attend the university’s convocation, citing his remarks in July regarding police excesses during student protests.During protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, students were beaten by Delhi Police personnel. The CJI had declined to hear a petition concerning alleged police brutality against the protesting students, reportedly saying, “Don’t waste our time. We are not interested in videos, we don’t have time to watch.”“We also sent the letter opposing the CJI’s invitation because he had said that watching videos on police brutality against students was a waste of time. We haven’t been and aren’t okay with this,” the student added. This report was republished from The News Minute as part of The News Minute-Newslaundry alliance. Read about our partnership here and become a subscriber here.

The Bar Council of India encountered significant backlash for its initial directive affecting NALSAR law students. Following public outcry and intervention from the Supreme Court, the Council revoked its order. The Supreme Court upheld the students' rights to engage in protest and converse with the Chief Justice. As a result, the Bar Council has retracted its earlier circular, and the matter is now subject to further Supreme Court review.

The council had earlier said that the graduating students would not be enrolled as advocates, but later withdrew the directive.

The Bar Council of India withdrew its blanket enrolment ban on Nalsar’s 2026 graduating batch within hours, easing uncertainty for students and employers. But it is pressing ahead with its inquiry into the campaign opposing Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s participation in the convocation.

BCI says most NALSAR graduates were not involved in the campaign opposing CJI Surya Kant's proposed participation in the university's convocation.

NALSAR students had recently opposed the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant as the chief guest at their convocation, citing his remarks during proceedings on alleged police excesses against NEET protesters in Delhi

The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday modified its earlier directions concerning NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, allowing all students who graduated from the university in 2026 to seek enrolment with the State Bar Council of their choice.The development comes after the BCI had earlier directed all State Bar Councils not to enrol any 2026 law graduate of NALSAR as an advocate until further orders. The directive was issued amid an inquiry into an alleged organised campaign concerning the participation or invitation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at the university's convocation.After detailed deliberation, the @barcouncilindia has modified its earlier directions concerning @NALSAR_Official.All 2026 passed-out students of NALSAR will now be entitled to seek enrolment with the State Bar Council of their choice. The factual inquiry will continue, and… pic.twitter.com/uJPkpHaOXj— Manan Kumar Mishra (@MishraManan01) August 13, 2026 NALSAR Convocation Row: BCI Orders State Bar Councils To Halt Enrolment Of 2026 Law Graduates, Seeks Report On Campaign OrganisersBCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra announced the modification in a post on his official X handle, saying the Council had taken the decision after "detailed deliberation"."All 2026 passed-out students of NALSAR will now be entitled to seek enrolment with the State Bar Council of their choice. The factual inquiry will continue, and further action will follow on the basis of the report," Mishra said.He also stressed that students who had no role in the matter should not be affected by the inquiry."No student shall be made to suffer without any fault on his or her part," he added.The BCI's factual inquiry, however, will continue. The Council had earlier sought an authenticated report from the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor regarding the persons allegedly instrumental in initiating, drafting, circulating, coordinating or mobilising the campaign.BCI Bars Enrolment Of 2026 NALSAR Graduates After Students Protest CJI Surya Kant InvitationThe university was asked to identify, on the basis of verifiable material, individuals involved in organising meetings, communicating with the media, administering social-media groups used for coordination, or proposing or mobilising any call for boycott, obstruction, disruption or organised non-participation in the convocation or any programme connected with the CJI.The BCI also sought details of any student body, Student Bar Council, Students' Union or other recognised student organisation involved in initiating, approving, coordinating or circulating the campaign. It asked the university to specify the role of any faculty member, research scholar, alumnus or outsider who may have participated in initiating, drafting, coordinating, advising or facilitating the campaign.NALSAR has also been asked to provide copies of relevant resolutions, minutes, agendas and other official records of meetings held in connection with the matter, besides clarifying whether permission was sought or granted for any protest or organised activity and whether any university rules concerning student conduct or official functions were invoked.'Students Willing To Challenge Judicial Authority': Saurav Das Hails NALSAR Batch For Opposing CJI Surya Kant As Convocation Chief Guest In its earlier communication, the BCI had clarified that merely signing or supporting a representation would not automatically result in disqualification from enrolment. It had drawn a distinction between individuals who only expressed support for a representation and those who allegedly organised or coordinated a campaign or sought to mobilise an actual boycott, obstruction or disruption.The Council had also said that any final adverse decision would be taken in accordance with the Advocates Act, 1961, applicable rules and the principles of natural justice.The BCI had emphasised that legal education allows critical reasoning, debate and analysis of judicial decisions, while noting that reasoned criticism must be distinguished from conduct which, if established after due examination, could involve intimidation, obstruction, organised disruption or disregard of institutional responsibilities associated with the legal profession.CBSE NISHTHA 2026-27: Registration Open For Teachers, School Heads; Check FLN, ECCE, E-Waste, Action Research CoursesThe Council had sought the factual report from NALSAR at the earliest and said the matter would be considered on August 19, 2026, after receipt of the Vice-Chancellor's report.(With Inputs From ANI)

Due to concerns arising from an alleged organized campaign at a convocation ceremony, the Bar Council of India has put a stop to the enrollment of NALSAR law graduates. They are demanding a factual report from NALSAR within a three-day deadline and will probe the individuals linked to the alleged campaign. The council intends to make a well-informed decision after careful consideration of all facts.

The Bar Council of India has directed State Bar Councils to halt enrolment of NALSAR's 2026 law graduates as advocates over an alleged campaign linked to CJI Surya Kant's convocation. BCI has sought a report from the university.

The Bar Council of India has revised its previous directive concerning NALSAR graduates. Students from NALSAR's 2026 cohort can now pursue enrollment with state bar councils. This update followed significant backlash against the original ruling, which prevented these students from becoming advocates due to their association with a protest. The regulator emphasized that the majority of the students were uninvolved and innocent.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has directed all State Bar Councils to withhold the enrolment of students graduating from Hyderabad’s NALSAR University of Law in 2026 until further orders, following a controversy over students’ opposition to an invitation extended to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for the university’s convocation.BCI seeks report from NALSARBCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra said no 2026 NALSAR graduate should be enrolled as an advocate until further instructions are issued. The council has also sought a detailed, authenticated report from the university identifying students and others who allegedly played a leading role in organising or coordinating the campaign.Students opposed CJI invitationThe controversy began after a group of graduating students reportedly urged NALSAR authorities to reconsider inviting Justice Surya Kant as the convocation’s chief guest. Their objection was linked to remarks made by the Chief Justice during a July 22 Supreme Court hearing concerning alleged police action against protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.'Students Willing To Challenge Judicial Authority': Saurav Das Hails NALSAR Batch For Opposing CJI Surya Kant As Convocation Chief GuestDuring the hearing, a lawyer seeking urgent listing of a petition alleging police excesses against protesters said video evidence was available. The bench headed by Justice Surya Kant reportedly responded, “don’t waste our time and yours” and “we don’t want to watch any videos”, triggering criticism.BCI seeks student detailsThe BCI has asked NALSAR to submit copies of representations, petitions and other communications related to the invitation, along with the names of signatories.Mishra also alleged that some members of the university’s academic staff were involved in “misleading, instigating and misguiding” students, and claimed there was groupism and internal political activity among some faculty members.BCI cites regulatory roleThe BCI said it could not remain a “mute spectator” as the regulator of legal education.

BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra said no student who obtained a law degree from NALSAR in 2026 should be enrolled as an advocate until the council issues further directions.

BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra said no student who obtained a law degree from NALSAR in 2026 should be enrolled as an advocate until the council issues further directions.

New Delhi: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has directed all State Bar Councils not to enrol any 2026 law graduate of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, as an advocate until further orders.The BCI has also sought a factual report from the university on the persons allegedly instrumental in initiating and organising a campaign concerning the participation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at its convocation.BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said the Council had taken note of reports and material in the public domain regarding an organised campaign at NALSAR relating to the proposed participation or invitation of the Chief Justice of India in connection with the university's convocation. The BCI has asked the Vice-Chancellor to furnish an authenticated factual report within three days.BREAKING: Bar Council of India directs State Bar Councils not to enrol any 2026 NALSAR graduate as an advocate until further orders.BCI seeks a report identifying those behind the campaign over CJI Surya Kant’s participation in the University’s convocation. A final decision… pic.twitter.com/r9itMj0zE9— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) August 13, 2026 BPSC Document Verification 2026: Absent Candidates Get Final Chance On August 20 For Sports Department PostsThe Council has specifically directed the university to identify, on the basis of verifiable material, persons who were principally involved in initiating, drafting, circulating, coordinating or mobilising the campaign.The report is also required to identify those involved in organising meetings, communicating with the media, administering any organised or social-media group used for coordination, or proposing or mobilising any call for boycott, obstruction, disruption or organised non-participation in the convocation or any programme connected with the CJI.The BCI has further asked NALSAR to provide details of any student body, Student Bar Council, Students' Union or other recognised student organisation involved in initiating, approving, coordinating or circulating the campaign. If any faculty member, research scholar, alumnus or outsider participated in initiating, drafting, coordinating, advising or facilitating the campaign, the university has been asked to specify the nature of such involvement.CBSE NISHTHA 2026-27: Registration Open For Teachers, School Heads; Check FLN, ECCE, E-Waste, Action Research CoursesThe university has also been asked to provide copies of relevant resolutions, minutes, agendas or other official records of meetings held in connection with the matter, and to state whether permission was sought or granted for any protest or organised activity and whether any university rules concerning student conduct or official functions were invoked.At the same time, the BCI said participation in an aforestated representation or campaign by itself would not automatically mean disqualification from enrolment. It said a distinction must be maintained between persons who merely signed or supported a representation and those who organised or coordinated the campaign or proposed or mobilised an actual boycott, obstruction or disruption.The Council said that where material concerning the conduct of a particular applicant is under statutory examination, completion of enrolment during the pendency of such examination could create a fait accompli and render the examination ineffective.CBSE Schools Get Access To 845+ NCERT-Aligned Virtual Labs On DIKSHA; Check How Students Can Use Them It therefore directed that where the BCI specifically communicates the name of a person for further statutory consideration, no enrolment order should be passed in respect of that person and, if an application is already pending, the final decision should remain deferred during the inquiry.The BCI has also directed State Bar Councils to ensure that a person whose name is communicated by it does not circumvent the pending examination by seeking enrolment before another State Bar Council. It clarified that such communication at the preliminary stage would not itself constitute a conclusive finding of misconduct or disqualification.The Council said any final adverse decision would be taken in accordance with the Advocates Act, 1961, the applicable rules and principles of natural justice.Stricter US Visa Rules May Cut Foreign Student Enrolment By 1.1 Lakh In Fall 2026: ReportThe BCI communication also emphasised that legal education permits critical reasoning, debate and analysis of judicial decisions, but said there is a distinction between reasoned criticism and conduct which, if established after due examination, may involve intimidation, obstruction, organised disruption or disregard of institutional responsibilities attached to the legal profession.The Council has asked NALSAR to furnish the authenticated factual report at the earliest and said the matter would be considered on August 19, 2026, after receipt of the Vice-Chancellor's report. The communication has been issued to NALSAR as well as the secretaries of all State Bar Councils for necessary compliance. (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

The Bar Council of India has put a pause on NALSAR's enrollments for the 2026 law graduates. This decision comes in the wake of an alleged smear campaign against Chief Justice Surya Kant's presence at the convocation. The Council demands a comprehensive report from NALSAR within three days, requiring identification of those behind this campaign. The situation will be reviewed on August 19, 2026.

No NALSAR graduate to be enrolled as advocate Bar Council amid CJI invite row