# BCI reforms and student protests at NALSAR and NLSIU > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bar-council-of-india-law-college-reforms > Updated: 2026-09-10T05:31:26.000Z. Sources: 80. Developments: 10. In late July 2026, the Bar Council of India (BCI) launched a sweeping overhaul of legal education, ordering on-site inspections of law colleges and proposing significant increases to advocate enrollment fees. In mid-August, the BCI faced backlash after attempting to withhold the enrollment of NALSAR University of Law’s 2026 graduating batch following student protests regarding the invitation of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant to their convocation. The Supreme Court intervened, describing the BCI’s order as ‘absolutely unnecessary’, leading the BCI to withdraw the ban and issue a formal apology. The dispute expanded to the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru. On 27 August, NLSIU cancelled its 34th Annual Convocation, citing ‘unavoidable circumstances’. The NALSAR Student Bar Council (SBC), supported by 111 alumni, expressed solidarity with NLSIU, noting that the cancellation occurred after students rejected a demand to issue a public letter ‘re-inviting’ the CJI. The SBC criticized the decision to cancel rather than postpone, expressing concern that students were being forced to choose between academic milestones and their right to dissent. By 10 September, NLSIU announced that its 34th Annual Convocation has been rescheduled for 17 October, following approval from the university’s Executive and General Councils. Graduating students may now choose to receive their degrees either in person or in absentia. It remains unclear whether the CJI will attend the rescheduled ceremony. ## Claims - NALSAR will refer the BCI's demand for an inquiry to its Executive Council to determine if it is permissible under university regulations. (disputed by 3 sources) - The matter regarding the enrollment ban is completely closed and no investigation will be conducted. (disputed) - The enrolment ban followed a campaign by students opposing Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s participation in the university’s convocation. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The Bar Council of India has withdrawn its order barring the enrolment of NALSAR 2026 batch students. (corroborated by 15 sources) - The BCI initially ordered state bar councils to halt the enrolment of NALSAR 2026 graduates. (corroborated by 15 sources) - The BCI has requested a report from the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor regarding the students' conduct. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The Supreme Court directed the BCI to respond to its circulars and stated no punitive action should be taken against NALSAR students or faculty. (corroborated by 7 sources) - CJI Surya Kant criticized the BCI's intervention, describing the student protest as a dialogue between himself and the students. (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: NLSIU schedules 34th convocation for October 17 NLSIU has rescheduled its 34th Annual Convocation for October 17 following a previous cancellation sparked by student protests against the attendance of the Chief Justice of India and the BCI Chairman. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nlsiu-schedules-34th-convocation-for-october-17 ### 2026-08-31: NALSAR Student Bar Council backs NLSIU over convocation cancellation NALSAR's Student Bar Council has backed NLSIU students after their 2026 convocation was cancelled following a dispute over a demand for a public letter re-inviting the Chief Justice of India. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nalsar-student-bar-council-backs-nlsiu-over-convocation-cancellation ### 2026-08-27: NLSIU Bengaluru cancels 2026 convocation amid student protests NLSIU Bengaluru has cancelled its 34th Annual Convocation for the 2026 batch due to “unavoidable circumstances” following student protests against the proposed attendance of the CJI and BCI Chairman. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nlsiu-cancels-2026-convocation-following-student-protests ### 2026-08-17: Bar Council of India chief apologizes after barring NALSAR law students The Bar Council of India chief has apologized after an order attempting to bar NALSAR University law students from becoming advocates following their opposition to a Chief Justice of India invitation. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bar-council-of-india-chief-apologizes-after-barring-nalsar-law-students ### 2026-08-17: Indian law students protest invitation of Chief Justice Surya Kant Law students at India's top legal universities, including NLSIU and NALSAR, are protesting against inviting Chief Justice Surya Kant to graduation ceremonies following controversial remarks and BCI disciplinary 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nlsiu-students-protest-chief-justice-and-bci-president-attendance ### 2026-08-15: BCI Chairperson apologizes to law students following NALSAR enrollment dispute BCI Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra apologized to law students after a withdrawn order to block NALSAR graduates' enrollment. NLSIU students have since joined the protest, opposing the CJI's attendance at their' 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bci-chief-apologizes-to-nalsar-students-over-enrollment-ban-controversy ### 2026-08-13: Bar Council of India withdraws NALSAR enrolment ban The Bar Council of India has withdrawn an enrolment ban on NALSAR 2026 graduates following student protests against CJI Surya Kant's convocation invitation. The Supreme Court has intervened to protect students. 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bar-council-of-india-withdraws-enrolment-ban-for-nalsar-2026-graduates ### 2026-08-03: Bar Council of India flags law school approval gaps and proposes steep enrollment fee hike BCI warns law schools missing renewal deadlines will lose approval and proposes raising the advocate enrollment fee from ₹750 to ₹22,500, sparking concerns over barriers for new lawyers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bar-council-of-india-flags-law-school-approval-gaps-and-proposes-steep-enrollment-fee-hike ### 2026-07-30: Bar Council of India blocks unapproved law colleges and Kerala High Court halts interim authority The Bar Council of India barred law colleges without 2026‑27 approval from admitting students, and the Kerala High Court stayed a BCI interim authority order that added a non‑elected former chairman, citing a民主 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bar-council-of-india-blocks-unapproved-law-colleges-and-kerala-high-court-halts-interim-authority ### 2026-07-27: Bar Council of India Orders Six‑Week Physical Inspection of All Law Colleges The Bar Council of India ordered all universities to inspect law colleges within six weeks, end non‑compliant weekend/evening courses, and enforce legal‑education standards after Supreme Court concerns. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bar-council-of-india-orders-sixweek-physical-inspection-of-all-law-colleges --- Cite as: BCI reforms and student protests at NALSAR and NLSIU. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bar-council-of-india-law-college-reforms