Bar Council of India blocks unapproved law colleges and Kerala High Court halts interim authority

The Bar Council of India (BCI) issued a compliance circular stating that only law colleges with valid approval for the 2026‑27 academic session may admit students. No extensions will be granted; applications must be fully submitted on the BCI portal with a university affiliation order, all mandatory documents and fees by 31 July 2026. Partial submissions or draft applications will not be considered.

Separately, the Kerala High Court stayed an order issued by the BCI Chairman that created a Limited Interim Authority for the Bar Council of Kerala. The court found that the inclusion of former Kerala Bar Council Chairman T. S. Ajith, who was not an elected member after the April 2026 elections, prima facie violated the democratic scheme of the Advocates Act. The court noted that an earlier interim arrangement comprising the Advocate General of Kerala and two elected members was lawful, and the later addition of a non‑elected former chairman was improper.