NALSAR Students Can Now Register with Preferred State Bar Councils: BCI

New Delhi, August 14: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has revoked its earlier order that prevented the 2026 batch students of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) in Hyderabad from registering as lawyers. Just hours prior, the BCI had instructed all state bar councils not to register any student graduating from NALSAR in 2026 until further notice.

This directive came after students of the institution protested against the invitation extended to Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud to attend the university’s upcoming convocation ceremony.

BCI Chairman Manan Kumar stated in a statement on Thursday evening that after thorough deliberation, the Bar Council of India has amended its previous directives concerning NALSAR. All graduating students from the 2026 batch can now register with their preferred state bar councils. An investigation will continue, and further action will be taken based on the findings. No student will be harmed without any fault of their own.

Previously, Kumar had indicated that any student graduating from NALSAR in 2026 should not be registered as a lawyer until further instructions were issued by the council.

This decision followed reports that a section of graduating students objected to the alleged proposal to invite Justice Chandrachud as the chief guest at the convocation ceremony.

The students’ campaign began after remarks made by the Chief Justice during a Supreme Court hearing regarding alleged police action against protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The BCI has now requested detailed information from the university to identify those primarily involved in initiating, organizing, or coordinating this campaign.

A statement from the BCI noted that no law student who shows disrespect or lack of regard for the country’s highest judicial office can be expected to become a responsible or sensible lawyer, teacher, or judge.

The statement further emphasized that such individuals would always remain a burden on the profession. Such conduct adversely affects a person’s suitability to enter or associate with the legal profession and contradicts the dignity, discipline, and ethical standards of the legal field. Our experience shows that such individuals are often involved in strikes and boycotts, tarnishing the image of the legal profession.

The council has given NALSAR three days to submit a certified report. The BCI has asked NALSAR to identify the students and others who played a significant role in the campaign against the proposed participation of the Chief Justice of India.