6 days ago
NLSIU Cancels 2026 Convocation Amid Row Over CJI Invite
NLSIU had planned a graduation ceremony for September 12, 2026.
On August 27, it cancelled the ceremony, saying there were “unavoidable circumstances.”
The university did not explain exactly what those circumstances were.
Students will still receive their degrees without attending a ceremony.
They can have their certificates sent by courier or collect them from campus.
More than 700 students and alumni had objected to inviting CJI Surya Kant and BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
Their objections followed a dispute at NALSAR, where the BCI briefly stopped enrolment for the graduating class after students opposed CJI Surya Kant’s proposed attendance.
The BCI later withdrew or changed that decision, and NLSIU’s university notice did not officially link the cancellation to the controversy.
NLSIU cancelled its 34th Annual Convocation, scheduled for September 12, 2026, citing “unavoidable circumstances.”
The university said degrees would be conferred in absentia after approval from its governing bodies.
Graduates may receive certificates by courier or collect them from the NLSIU campus using a new process.
More than 700 students and alumni opposed the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant and BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
The dispute followed the BCI’s brief halt of enrolment for NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch, which was later withdrawn or modified.
- Who
- National Law School of India University, its 2026 graduating students, students and alumni, CJI Surya Kant, and BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
- What
- NLSIU cancelled its 34th Annual Convocation and said degrees would be awarded in absentia, subject to governing-body approval.
- Where
- NLSIU in Bengaluru; the related enrolment dispute involved NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad.
- When
- The cancellation was announced on August 27, 2026; the ceremony had been scheduled for September 12, 2026.
- Why
- NLSIU cited “unavoidable circumstances.” Students and alumni connected the timing to objections over the proposed invitees and the BCI’s action involving NALSAR, but the university did not identify the controversy as the official reason.
Students and Alumni
University and Legal Authorities
Proposed participation
Students and Alumni
Students and alumni opposed the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant and BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, with more than 700 people signing an opposition statement.
University and Legal Authorities
The two officials had been proposed for the ceremony, and both had prominent roles at NLSIU’s 2025 convocation. The university did not announce that objections to them caused the cancellation.
BCI action involving NALSAR
Students and Alumni
NLSIU signatories described the BCI’s temporary enrolment action and its request to identify campaign participants as an attack on free speech and “nothing less than a witch-hunt,” and sought an unconditional apology.
University and Legal Authorities
The BCI withdrew or modified its directive within hours, saying most NALSAR 2026 students had not intended to show disrespect, and later closed proceedings against the students.
Reason for cancellation
Students and Alumni
The timing led students and alumni to associate the cancellation with the dispute over the proposed invitees and the NALSAR controversy.
University and Legal Authorities
NLSIU officially cited only “unavoidable circumstances” and did not specify what those circumstances were.
Key facts
- Institution
- National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru
- Event
- 34th Annual Convocation for the 2026 graduating batch
- Scheduled date
- September 12, 2026
- Cancellation notice
- Issued August 27, 2026
- Degree arrangement
- Degrees to be conferred in absentia after approval from NLSIU’s governing bodies
- Certificate options
- Courier delivery or collection from the NLSIU campus
- Opposition statement
- Signed by 165 graduating students, 409 current students, and 128 alumni
- Related BCI action
- The BCI briefly halted enrolment for NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch before withdrawing or modifying the decision within hours
Quotes
National Law School of India University
The Bengaluru university announcing arrangements for awarding graduates’ degrees and certificates.
“all graduating students will be conferred their degrees in absentia after due approvals by the Governing Bodies. Students may elect to receive their Certificates by courier or collect them at Campus. The University will share a new form and the process with all graduating students to choose their preferred option later today.”
thehansindia.com
“Accordingly, the Council modifies the order of chairman with regard to the ban on the enrolment of the NALSAR students with the State Bar Councils. All the students will be entitled to get enrolled with the state bar councils of their choice.”
wionews.com
Sources
Top law institute NLSIU cancels convocation after row over invite to CJI Surya Kant
NLSIU convocation cancelled after student opposition to CJI Surya Kant's participation - Telegraph India
NLSIU Bengaluru Cancels Convocation After Students Oppose Inviting CJI
Top Law College Cancels Convocation Amid Row Over Chief Justice Invite
NLSIU Cancels 2026 Convocation Amid Row Over CJI Surya Kant’s Proposed Artendance
NLSIU Bengaluru cancels convocation, cites ‘unavoidable circumstances’
Row over CJI, BCI chief invites: National Law School cancels 2026 convocation, degrees to be awarded in absentia
NLSIU cancels convocation for 2026 batch amid row over invitation to CJI, Bar Council head
NLSIU Cancels 34th Annual Convocation Scheduled For September 12 Amid Controversy Over CJI Surya Kant, BCI Chief
National Law School calls off 2026 convocation amid row over Chief Justice’s presence
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