Bar Council Withdraws Order Barring NALSAR 2026 Graduates From Advocate Enrolment

The Bar Council of India on Thursday, August 13, 2026, withdrew its controversial order that had barred the 2026 graduates of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad from being enrolled as advocates. The reversal came just hours after the order was issued, following a massive controversy over the council's initial directive. The original order had been linked to a student campaign opposing an invitation extended to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to be the chief guest at the university's convocation.

In its latest decision, the BCI stated that after a thorough discussion, its members were unanimously of the view that a vast majority of the 2026 graduating students were innocent and had not been inclined to participate in the alleged move to show disrespect. The council emphasized that no student should be made to suffer for an act in which they had no involvement. It further stated that it had received reports from reliable sources that a handful of teachers and outsiders were instrumental in instigating the students.

The controversy began when a section of outgoing NALSAR students, in an email sent on July 23, 2026, opposed inviting CJI Surya Kant to the convocation. The...