The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday issued orders to the State Bar Councils not to enroll any student graduating from the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad, in 2026 as an advocate until further orders. The directive comes days after the university’s students had raised objections over inviting the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant to the institute’s convocation ceremony as chief guest. 

The Bar Council’s move has sparked concern among the students of the graduating batch, with the former now seeking details about a campaign reportedly opposing the CJI’s invitation. 

BCI directs State Bar Councils to abide by orders

The BCI Chairman, in an official communication addressed to the NALSAR Vice-chancellor and all State Bar councils, said that no NALSAR student who obtained a law degree in 2026 should be enrolled as an advocate until further orders. 

As per the directive, a temporary freeze has been imposed on the professional enrollment of the institute’s 2026 law graduates, though the BCI has still not revealed how long the measure will remain in force for. 

Students’ campaign over CJI invite

According to several reports which emerged last week, some students enrolled at NALSAR had objected to the invitation extended to CJI Kant, citing his comments on Delhi student protests and his remarks branding the country’s youth as ‘cockroaches.’ The reported campaign prompted a strong response from BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, who sought an authenticated report from the NALSAR Vice-chancellor on the matter.

 Mishra has asked the university officials to identify those allegedly involved in initiating, organising, coordinating or mobilising the campaign against the CJI’s invitation. Moreover, the institute’s Vice-chancellor has been given a period of three days to furnish the requested information. 

BCI seeks details of campaign organisers

Besides this, the BCI has also asked NALSAR to provide copies of any representation, petition, memorandum or other communication submitted to the university authorities with regard to the proposed participation or invitation of the CJI. Furthermore, the university has been asked to provide the complete list of signatories available in its official records. 

In light of the directive, the spotlight has been cast on the ongoing dispute between the regulatory body and the university community over the invitation for convocation. It has also left the graduating NALSAR students in limbo. 

For now, the BCI’s instructions remain in force ‘till further orders,’ meaning the 2026 graduates will have to await further directions before their enrolment as advocates can proceed. Further developments are expected to emerge after NALSAR submits the information sought by the BCI.