Bar Council of India gives relief to the entire NALSAR 2026 graduating batch, while keeping its inquiry into the alleged campaign linked to CJI Surya Kant ongoing.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has withdrawn its earlier restriction on the enrolment of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, graduates from the 2026 batch.

In a fresh communication issued on Thursday, the BCI said all students graduating from NALSAR in 2026 would be free to enrol with the State Bar Council of their choice. The decision comes after the Council considered a report indicating that most graduating students were neither involved in nor planning to participate in any activity intended to show disrespect.

The decision provides significant relief to students whose entry into the legal profession had been put on hold amid a controversy involving an alleged campaign related to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant's proposed participation in the university's convocation.

BCI Modifies Earlier Order

BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra signed the latest communication after the Council discussed its earlier decision regarding the factual inquiry and enrolment of NALSAR's 2026 graduates.

The Council decided to modify the previous direction that had restricted the students from enrolling with State Bar Councils.

Under the revised decision, every student from the 2026 graduating batch can now approach and enrol with the State Bar Council of their choice.

This means graduates will not have to wait until the completion of the ongoing inquiry before beginning the enrolment process required to practise law.

The BCI said that no student should face professional consequences for an incident in which they had no involvement.

Why Did the BCI Take Action Against NALSAR Graduates?

The controversy concerns an alleged campaign at NALSAR surrounding the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant at the university's convocation.

The BCI had earlier ordered a factual inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the campaign. The inquiry was also intended to identify people who may have initiated or organised the alleged activity.

The earlier enrolment restriction created uncertainty for the entire graduating batch because the action was taken amid allegations involving the conduct of certain individuals.

The BCI has now made it clear that allegations against specific people should not prevent the entire batch from beginning their legal careers.

Inquiry Into Allegations Continues

Although the graduates have been cleared for enrolment, the BCI has not ended its examination of the controversy.

The Council said it would wait for the inquiry report from the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor before deciding whether any further action is required.

The inquiry is expected to examine what happened, identify those who may have been involved and determine whether the conduct of any individual or group requires further action under the applicable rules.

The BCI also said it had received information from some reliable sources alleging that a small number of teachers and outsiders may have played a role in influencing students.

The Council has not reached a final conclusion on those allegations and will consider the matter after receiving the Vice-Chancellor's report.

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Relief for NALSAR 2026 Graduates

The latest decision separates the professional rights of the graduating students from allegations involving particular individuals.

By allowing the entire 2026 batch to enrol with State Bar Councils, the BCI has ensured that students who were not involved in the alleged campaign are not affected while the inquiry continues.

At the same time, the Council has retained the authority to examine individual responsibility if the inquiry establishes that specific people were involved.

The communication was issued with the approval of the BCI Council and sent to the Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR University of Law and the Secretaries of all State Bar Councils.