The Bar Council of India (BCI) has directed all State Bar Councils to keep in abeyance the enrolment of students who graduated from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, in 2026, pending further orders.

The decision follows reports that a section of outgoing NALSAR students had opposed the proposed participation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant in the university’s convocation, reportedly in connection with his remarks concerning protests by students in Delhi.

In a communication addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR and all State Bar Councils, BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra stated that, until further orders, no student of NALSAR who obtained a law degree in 2026 shall be enrolled as an advocate.

BCI Seeks Report Within Three Days

The BCI has directed the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor to submit an authenticated factual report within three days identifying individuals who were principally involved in initiating, organising, coordinating or mobilising the campaign against the CJI’s participation.

The university has also been asked to provide copies of any representation, petition, memorandum or other communication submitted to its authorities concerning the CJI’s proposed invitation or participation, along with the complete list of signatories available in its official records.

The BCI has specifically sought details of persons who:

• Initiated or drafted the campaign;

• Circulated the campaign through the media;

• Organised meetings or coordinated participation;

• Communicated with the press;

• Administered any official or organised social-media group; or

• Proposed or mobilised any call for boycott, obstruction, disruption or organised non-participation in the convocation or related programmes.

The university has also been asked to disclose whether any student organisations, faculty members, research scholars, alumni or outsiders were involved.

BCI Raises Concerns Over Faculty Involvement

The BCI Chairman has also expressed concern over allegations that some members of the academic staff were involved in the campaign.

According to the communication, the BCI has received information suggesting that there is “groupism and dirty politics” among certain academic staff members and that some may have played an active role in misleading or influencing students.

The BCI stated that, as the statutory regulator of legal education, it could not remain a “mute spectator” to such developments.

No Individual Disqualification Yet

The BCI has clarified that it has not, at this stage, declared any individual student disqualified from enrolment merely on account of participation in the representation or campaign.

However, it reasoned that permitting enrolment while the inquiry remains pending could frustrate the process. Consequently, the enrolment of the entire 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR has been placed on hold as an interim measure.

The BCI Chairman further observed that respect for the highest judicial office and adherence to the dignity, discipline and ethical standards of the legal profession are important considerations for persons seeking entry into the profession.

The communication states that the BCI's final decision is scheduled to be taken on August 19, 2026, after receiving and examining the factual report from the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor.

The development effectively puts the enrolment of NALSAR’s 2026 law graduates on hold until the BCI completes its examination of the controversy.