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The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, has cancelled its 34th Annual Convocation, which was scheduled to be held on 12 September, 2026.
NLSIU had earlier informed the students about the proposed date for the annual convocation on 3 August, 2026. However, in a communication dated 27 August 2026, the university informed the graduating batch that the ceremony had been cancelled due to “unavoidable circumstances”.
Degrees Without Ceremony
The University further clarified that the cancellation of the convocation will not affect the awarding of degrees. The graduating students will receive their degrees in absentia, subject to the approval of the University’s governing body.
Students will have the option of either collecting their certificates from the campus or having them sent by courier. The University said that the details about the process and the students’ preferred mode of receiving their certificates will be communicated separately.
The University also said that Gold Medals recipients can collect their medals in person or through an authorised representative from 12 September.
Background of Controversy
The decision came amid the controversy over the proposed participation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the NLSIU convocation.
The controversy began with a dispute at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, where students had opposed the proposed participation of the CJI at their convocation. Following the opposition, the BCI directed that the enrolment of the 2026 graduating batch be halted. However, the decision was withdrawn within a few hours after widespread backlash.
Following these developments, a group of NLSIU students and alumni issued a statement dated 15 August 2026, expressing support for the NALSAR community and criticising the BCI’s earlier action. They also expressed their opposition to the proposed attendance of the CJI and the BCI Chairman at the NLSIU convocation.
Students’ Statement
The statement dated 15 August 2026 was signed by a total of 702 members of the NLSIU community, including 165 graduating students, 409 current students and 128 alumni.
Through the statement, the members raised concerns about the way the matter involving NALSAR students and faculty had been handled and sought an unconditional apology from the BCI.
CJI Meets Students
CJI Surya Kant had separately interacted with NLSIU students to hear their concerns. The discussion between the CJI and the students reportedly lasted around 90 minutes and was aimed at understanding the issues raised by them.
