National Law School cancels convocation amid CJI, Bar Council chief invite row

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has cancelled its 34th Annual Convocation, scheduled for September 12, citing “unavoidable circumstances” amid students' opposition over the proposed presence of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the ceremony.The university informed graduating students about the decision through an official notice issued on August 27.The university said that despite its “collective best efforts”, it would not be able to hold the annual convocation as planned. The proposed date had been communicated to graduating students earlier on August 3.DEGREES WILL STILL BE CONFERREDThe cancellation of the ceremony will not stop students from receiving their degrees. According to the university, all graduating students will be conferred their degrees in absentia, subject to the required approval from the Governing Bodies.This means students will not need to attend a physical convocation ceremony to have their degrees formally conferred. Official notice CERTIFICATES BY COURIER OR FROM CAMPUSNLSIU has also given graduating students two options for receiving their certificates.Students can choose to have their certificates sent by courier or collect them from the university campus.The university said it will share a new form and the process with graduating students later on August 27. Students will be able to indicate their preferred option through the form.SEPTEMBER 12 EVENT CALLED OFFThe 34th Annual Convocation was proposed for September 12, with students receiving advance notice of the date earlier this month.The university has not provided further details about the “unavoidable circumstances” that led to the cancellation.The cancellation comes days after a section of NLSIU students and alumni opposed the proposed invitation to the CJI and BCI chief, following the controversy at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, where the BCI had briefly directed state Bar Councils not to enrol the university's 2026 graduates after students objected to the CJI's proposed participation in their convocation. The BCI later withdrew the order and its chairman apologised to law students.For the graduating batch, the immediate next step is to wait for the university's communication on the certificate process and complete the required formalities. The degrees will be conferred after the necessary approvals from the university's Governing Bodies.- EndsPublished On: Aug 27, 2026 12:57 IST