Archive · 10 Sep 2026
NLSIU Reschedules 34th Convocation After CJI Invitation Dispute
NLSIU is a university that is planning a graduation ceremony for its students.
The ceremony was supposed to happen on September 12, but it was cancelled.
Students and the university disagreed about whether Chief Justice of India Surya Kant should attend.
More than 700 current and former students had objected to his proposed attendance and that of Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
Students later voted on attending if there were no protests or disruptions.
They were then told they would also need to publicly invite Surya Kant.
That extra requirement caused another disagreement.
NLSIU has now chosen October 17 for the ceremony.
Students can receive their degrees at the event or collect them later without attending.
The revised date was approved by the university’s governing councils.
National Law School of India University will hold its 34th convocation on October 17.
The university’s Executive Council and General Council approved the revised date at meetings chaired by Chancellor Surya Kant.
The ceremony originally scheduled for September 12 was cancelled amid disagreements over Surya Kant’s proposed attendance.
More than 700 current and former students objected to the proposed attendance of Surya Kant and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
Graduating students may receive their degrees in person on October 17 or in absentia after completing a preference form.
- Who
- National Law School of India University, its graduating students, Chief Justice of India and NLSIU Chancellor Surya Kant, and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
- What
- NLSIU rescheduled its 34th annual convocation after cancelling the ceremony originally planned for September 12.
- When
- The new convocation date is October 17; the original date was September 12.
- Where
- National Law School of India University in Bengaluru; the articles do not specify the ceremony venue.
- Why
- The original ceremony was cancelled after disagreements over Surya Kant’s attendance and a requirement that students publicly invite him.
Student Concerns
University Ceremony Plans
Surya Kant’s attendance
Student Concerns
More than 700 current and former students objected to the proposed attendance of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
University Ceremony Plans
NLSIU continued discussions about holding the ceremony with Surya Kant present, while students were asked to avoid protests or disruptions.
Public invitation requirement
Student Concerns
Students objected to being required to issue a public statement inviting Surya Kant after voting on an arrangement that did not include that condition.
University Ceremony Plans
NLSIU informed students on August 25 that a public invitation to Surya Kant would also be required.
Ceremony arrangements
Student Concerns
The disagreement over the additional invitation requirement prevented agreement on the September 12 ceremony.
University Ceremony Plans
NLSIU cancelled the September ceremony and set October 17 as a new date, offering degree conferral in person or in absentia.
- University
- National Law School of India University
- Convocation
- 34th annual convocation
- New date
- October 17
- Original date
- September 12
- Degree arrangements
- Students may receive degrees in person or in absentia
- Student objections
- More than 700 current and former students objected to the proposed attendance of Surya Kant and Manan Kumar Mishra
- Governing bodies
- The Executive Council and General Council approved the revised date
