2 weeks ago
NALSAR row puts Bar Council of India in focus
There is a group in India called the Bar Council of India that helps make rules for lawyers and law schools.
Some law students at a university called NALSAR were unhappy that the Chief Justice of India was invited to their graduation ceremony.
The Bar Council got upset too and told the state bar councils not to let these students become lawyers.
But just a few hours later, the Bar Council changed its mind and took back the order.
The Bar Council was created by a law called the Advocates Act in the year 1961.
That law also created state bar councils, and they are the ones who actually sign up new lawyers.
Even though the Bar Council makes big rules, it cannot enroll lawyers by itself.
In 2023, the Bar Council allowed lawyers from other countries to work in India, but they cannot go to Indian courts or practice Indian law.
On August 13, the Bar Council of India (BCI) directed state bar councils not to enrol graduates of NALSAR University of Law's 2026 batch over their protest against the convocation invitation to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
Within hours, the BCI withdrew the order and closed the proceedings.
The BCI is a statutory body established by Parliament under the Advocates Act, 1961 to regulate and represent the Indian Bar.
Enrolment of advocates is carried out by State Bar Councils under Section 6 of the Advocates Act, not by the BCI, though the BCI's opinion is binding when a State Bar Council proposes to reject an application.
Since March 2023, the BCI allows foreign lawyers and law firms to practise in India, but they cannot appear in court or practise Indian law.
- Who
- The Bar Council of India, NALSAR University of Law students, and Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
- What
- The BCI directed state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR's 2026 batch graduates over their protest against the convocation invitation to the CJI, then withdrew the order within hours
- Where
- India
- When
- August 13, 2026
- Why
- Because NALSAR students protested against the convocation invitation extended to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
Key facts
- Event
- BCI directed state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR University of Law 2026 batch graduates
- Reason
- Students' protest against the convocation invitation to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
- Order status
- Withdrawn within hours; proceedings closed
- Legal basis
- Advocates Act, 1961 (State Bar Councils under Section 3; BCI under Section 4)
- BCI Chairman
- Manan Kumar Mishra
- Enrolment authority
- State Bar Councils (Section 6); BCI opinion binding on rejections under Section 26(3)
- Tenure
- State council members elected for 5 years; BCI Chairman and Vice-Chairman for 2 years
- Foreign lawyers
- Allowed to practise in India since March 2023, but cannot appear in court or practise Indian law










