2 weeks ago
Bar Council lifts NALSAR 2026 enrolment freeze after uproar
The Bar Council of India is the group that decides who can become a lawyer in India.
Some students at NALSAR, a law school in Hyderabad, did not want the Chief Justice of India to come to their graduation ceremony and wrote letters asking the university not to invite him.
The Bar Council became upset and said none of the students who finished law school in 2026 could become lawyers for now.
It asked the university to write a report about who started and organised the campaign.
Many people said this was unfair and criticised the decision on social media.
Later the same day, the Bar Council changed its mind.
It said most of the students were innocent and that they could become lawyers after all.
It said it believed a few teachers and outsiders had misled the students.
A final decision about the matter will be made on August 19, 2026.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) barred and then, within hours, reversed its freeze on enrolment of NALSAR University of Law's 2026 graduates as advocates.
The move followed an alleged organised student campaign opposing Chief Justice of India Surya Kant's proposed participation in the university's convocation.
BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra gave the NALSAR vice-chancellor three days to submit an authenticated report identifying those who initiated, organised or coordinated the campaign.
Saying the 'vast majority' of students were innocent, the BCI allowed all graduates to enrol with State Bar Councils of their choice, blaming a handful of teachers and outsiders for instigating them.
A final decision is set for August 19, 2026, after critics such as SCBA president Vikas Singh called the original order 'illegal' and an attempt to intimidate students.
- Who
- The Bar Council of India, led by Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra; the roughly 450 law graduates of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad; Chief Justice of India Surya Kant; and critics including SCBA president Vikas Singh and CJI Co-Convenor Saurav Das.
- What
- The BCI directed all State Bar Councils to halt enrolment of NALSAR's 2026 law graduates as advocates, then reversed the freeze the same day, pending an inquiry into an alleged organised campaign opposing CJI Surya Kant's participation in the convocation.
- Where
- India — BCI communications were issued from New Delhi; the controversy concerns NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad.
- When
- August 13, 2026 — the day the freeze was issued and reversed; a final decision is scheduled for August 19, 2026.
- Why
- The BCI said it was investigating an alleged organised campaign opposing CJI Surya Kant's convocation participation and wanted to identify those who initiated, organised or mobilised it, saying conduct showing disrespect for the highest judicial office is inconsistent with the dignity and ethical standards of the legal profession.
Critics of the BCI order
BCI's position
Validity of the enrolment freeze
Critics of the BCI order
SCBA president Vikas Singh called the direction 'illegal, disproportionate and fundamentally unsustainable' and an attempt to intimidate law students for exercising freedom of speech, while CJI Co-Convenor Saurav Das called it 'grossly illegal' and warned of protests if it was not withdrawn.
BCI's position
The BCI said the freeze was an interim measure to prevent a 'fait accompli' that would render its statutory examination ineffective, adding that a law student showing no respect for the highest judicial office was not expected to become a responsible advocate, teacher or judge.
Who was responsible for the campaign
Critics of the BCI order
Students and their supporters framed the campaign as legitimate democratic dissent and questioned BCI Chairman Mishra's own record and tenure, alleging he had illegally intervened in the 2026 Chhattisgarh State Bar Council.
BCI's position
The BCI said it had information from 'reliable sources' that a handful of teachers and outsiders instigated and misled innocent students, citing reports of groupism and 'dirty politics' among some academic staff.
Scope of acceptable criticism in legal education
Critics of the BCI order
Students should be free to criticise judges' conduct — including concerns over the CJI's handling of proceedings related to alleged police excesses against protesters — and universities should remain campuses of free thought and fearless debate.
BCI's position
Legal education permits reasoned criticism, debate and analysis, but draws the line at intimidation, coercion, personal vilification, disruption, obstruction or organised boycott against a constitutional functionary, citing the Supreme Court's 2003 Harish Uppal ruling.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Bar Council of India (BCI)
- BCI Chairman
- Manan Kumar Mishra
- University
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
- Official Concerned
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
- Students Affected
- Approximately 450 graduates of the 2026 batch
- Governing Statute
- Advocates Act, 1961
- Communication Date
- August 13, 2026
- Final Decision Date
- August 19, 2026
Quotes
BCI Chairman and BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra
Chairman of the Bar Council of India and Member of Parliament
“"After a thorough discussion, the members are of the unanimous view that as per the latest report, the vast majority of students of Nalsar (2026 pass‑out students) are innocent and they were not inclined to take up in the move of disrespect."”
deccanchronicle.com
“"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."”
financialexpress.com
deccanchronicle.com
CNBC TV 18
Vikas Singh
President of the State Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh
“This unprecedented and wholly arbitrary direction is, in my view, illegal, disproportionate and fundamentally unsustainable. It amounts to an attempt to intimidate law students for exercising their fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. Universities are meant to be campuses of free thought and fearless debate.”
theprint.in
thehansindia.com
“"Mr. Manan Mishra, HANDS OFF our students!" He called the order "grossly illegal" and defended the students’ right to democratic dissent.”
news18.com
BCI communication
Statement released by the Bar Council of India
“"A student of Law, having no regard or respect for the highest Judicial Office of the country, is not expected to be a responsible or sensible Advocate, Teacher or a Judge. Such persons shall always be a liability on the profession."”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
BCI hastily withdraws ban on enrolment of NALSAR graduating batch
NALSAR Convocation Row: BCI Orders State Bar Councils To Halt Enrolment Of 2026 Law Graduates, Seeks Report On Campaign Organisers
Bar Council Takes U-Turn Over Ban on 2026 Nalsar Students
BCI halts enrolment of NALSAR 2026 law graduates over alleged CJI convocation campaign
BCI modifies order after flak, allows state bar councils to enrol 2026 NALSAR graduates
BCI backtracks on order, allows bar councils to enrol Nalsar grads
Bar Council U-turns On Nalsar Ban
Bar Council Bars Enrolment Of 2026 NALSAR Graduates Over Campaign Against CJI Kant, Later Makes U-Turn
Bar Council puts advocate enrolment of NALSAR's 2026 batch on hold after student campaign against CJI visit
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