BCI pauses NALSAR 2026 graduate enrolment amid controversy over CJI convocation invite

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.

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.