NLSIU Cancels 34th Convocation Amid Student Opposition Over CJI, BCI Chief’s Proposed Presence
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) has cancelled its 34th Annual Convocation, scheduled for September 12, citing “unavoidable circumstances” amid opposition from a section of students and alumni to 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 cancellation through an official notice issued on August 27. The September 12 date had earlier been communicated to students on August 3.
Degrees To Be Conferred Despite Cancellation
NLSIU said the cancellation of the physical ceremony would not affect the conferment of degrees.
All graduating students will be conferred their degrees in absentia, subject to the required approval from the university's Governing Bodies.
This means students will not have to attend a physical convocation for their degrees to be formally conferred.
Students Can Collect Certificates Or Opt For Courier
The university has also offered graduating students two options for receiving their certificates.
They can either have the certificates delivered by courier or collect them from the NLSIU campus.
The university said it would share a form and details of the process with students later on August 27. Graduating students will be able to indicate their preferred method through the form.
Cancellation Follows Opposition Over Proposed Guests
The cancellation comes amid opposition from some NLSIU students and alumni to the proposed invitation of CJI Surya Kant and BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
The issue gained wider attention following a controversy at NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, where the BCI had briefly directed state Bar Councils not to enrol the university's 2026 graduates after students objected to the proposed participation of the CJI at their convocation.
The BCI later withdrew the directive and its chairman apologised to law students.
NLSIU Cites ‘Unavoidable Circumstances’
In its notice, NLSIU said that despite its “collective best efforts”, it would not be able to conduct the annual convocation as planned.
The university did not provide further details about what constituted the “unavoidable circumstances” behind the cancellation.
For the graduating batch, the immediate next step is to await the university's communication on the certificate process and complete the required formalities. The conferment of degrees remains subject to approval by the university's Governing Bodies.
