The Bar Council of India (BCI) has extended, for the fourth time, the deadline for existing Centres of Legal Education (CLEs) to apply for continuation or renewal of affiliation for the 2026-27 academic session.

The new deadline is August 31, 2026, according to a circular issued by the BCI on August 6.

The deadline was initially set for December 31, 2025. It was subsequently extended to January 16, March 5 and then July 31, 2026.

The BCI said the latest extension was necessary because immediately closing the application portal could leave some CLEs that already possess the required documents unable to complete their applications. This, the Council said, could potentially affect admissions for the 2026-27 academic year.

Several National Law Universities were still not reflected in the BCI's approved list even after the July 31 deadline expired.

Since then, Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Nava Raipur, and National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack, have secured renewal of approval.

However, one or more courses at National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru; National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal; Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Tiruchirappalli; and Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Gandhinagar, continue to remain without BCI approval.

CLEs Can Submit Undertakings In Certain Cases

The BCI has provided some relief to institutions that already possess all mandatory documents, including valid affiliation or continuation-of-affiliation orders, but were unable to complete their online applications because of technical or administrative difficulties.

Such institutions can now submit a written undertaking along with self-attested copies of the relevant documents for verification. They must also undertake to complete the final application by August 31.

Any approval granted on the basis of such an undertaking will remain subject to verification, scrutiny and inspection by the BCI.

Applications submitted during the extended period will attract the applicable late fee. An exception has been made for universities that run a course directly through their own department or faculty and have already paid the required fee within the earlier deadline.

Extension Limited To Existing Courses

The BCI clarified that the extension applies only to the continuation or renewal of courses, sections and student intake that have already been sanctioned.

It does not cover:

• New Centres of Legal Education;
• New courses;
• Additional sections;
• Increased student intake; or
• New campuses.

The Council also made it clear that merely submitting an application, paying the prescribed fee or furnishing an undertaking will not amount to approval or give an institution the right to admit students.

The BCI warned that any approval could be withdrawn if an institution fails to submit its final application by August 31 or if any false or fabricated document is discovered.

The Council further stated that the application portal will close after the extended deadline and that no further extension will “ordinarily” be granted.