New Delhi: Hours after its decision to bar enrolment of NALSAR University of Law’s 2026 graduates with State Bar Councils over the Chief Justice of India (CJI) invitation row, the Bar Council of India (BCI) withdrew the stern directive on Thursday evening.
In a fresh communication issued after an emergency discussion, the BCI said all NALSAR students graduating in 2026 would be entitled to enrol with the State Bar Council of their choice.
No student will be made to suffer “without any fault on his part”, BCI stated.
The matter, however, has not been closed and BCI will await the inquiry report from NALSAR Vice-Chancellor before deciding on any action.
Earlier in the day, BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra said in an order: “Till further orders, no student of NALSAR University of Law, who has obtained the Law Degree in the year 2026, shall be enrolled by any State Bar Council as an Advocate.”
The decision was reversed after it triggered backlash on social media over its potential impact on the professional prospects and placements of the graduating batch.
“After thorough discussion, the Members are of the unanimous view that as per the latest report, the vast majority of the students of NALSAR (2026 pass out students) are innocent, and they were not inclined to take part in the move of disrespect,” BCI’s fresh letter said.
“Accordingly, the Council modifies the order of Chairman with regard to the ban on the enrolment of NALSAR Students with the State Bar Councils. All the students will be entitled to get enrolled with the State Bar Councils of their choice,” it added.
The Bar Council claimed that “a handful of teachers and outsiders” had been instrumental in instigating the students.
No names were mentioned, as the BCI said it will wait for the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor’s inquiry report before the next course of action.
The controversy erupted after around 450 outgoing NALSAR students objected to the invitation extended to CJI Surya Kant to preside over the university’s 2026 convocation.
They signed a representation addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, professors and other university authorities, urging them to reconsider the decision.
