The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, will now hold its 34th Annual Convocation on October 17, 2026, weeks after the university cancelled the ceremony originally scheduled for September 12. As per media reports, the new date was approved by the University’s Executive Council and General Council, chaired by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who is also the Chancellor of NLSIU.
The rescheduling comes against the backdrop of a controversy over the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the convocation. A section of graduating students, current students and alumni had opposed their presence, particularly following the controversy at NALSAR, Hyderabad, where the BCI had briefly directed State Bar Councils not to enrol the 2026 graduating batch after students opposed the CJI’s proposed participation in their convocation. The BCI later withdrew the direction.
NLSIU had subsequently cancelled its September 12 ceremony, citing “unavoidable circumstances”, and announced that degrees would be conferred in absentia. This decision was also protested, including by NALSAR Alumni. The NALSAR Student Bar Council expressed solidarity with NLSIU students and raised concerns over an alleged request for students to publicly “re-invite” the CJI. The NALSAR student body said such a request, if made by the CJI’s office, would be “incredibly unfortunate.”
The university has now decided to hold the ceremony on October 17 and will seek students’ preferences on whether they wish to receive their degrees in person or in absentia.