Bar Council of India clears NALSAR 2026 graduates for enrolment after ban reversal
Synopsis
The Bar Council of India imposed and then reversed a ban on NALSAR's entire 2026 graduating batch — all in a single day. BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra cited student innocence and shifted blame to a 'handful of teachers and outsiders', while keeping the factual inquiry alive. For hundreds of law graduates, the reversal means the door to legal practice stays open — for now.
Key Takeaways
Bar Council of India (BCI) reversed its enrolment ban on NALSAR 2026 graduates on 13 August 2026 , the same day it was imposed.
All 2026 pass-out students of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad are now entitled to enrol with any State Bar Council of their choice.
BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra stated the students were found innocent; blame was attributed to a 'handful of teachers and outsiders' .
A factual inquiry by NALSAR Vice-Chancellor Srikrishna Deva Rao is ongoing; the BCI will act on its findings.
Mishra confirmed the decision via a post on social media platform X , reiterating that no student should suffer without personal fault.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday, 13 August 2026, reversed course and cleared all 2026 pass-out students of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law in Hyderabad to seek enrolment with any State Bar Council of their choice. The decision came hours after the BCI had imposed a ban on the same batch's enrolment, making it one of the most abrupt reversals in the Council's recent history.
What the Modified Order Says
In a letter issued on Thursday and approved by the full Council, BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra stated that members had, after thorough deliberation, unanimously concluded that the vast majority of NALSAR's 2026 graduates were innocent and had not participated in the alleged 'move of disrespect' that triggered the original ban.
The modified directive explicitly entitles all such students to apply for enrolment with any State Bar Council of their choice. The letter was addressed to Srikrishna Deva Rao, Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR University of Law, and to the Secretaries of all State Bar Councils across India.
Who Was Blamed and What Happens Next
The BCI letter noted that reliable sources had indicated a handful of teachers and outsiders were instrumental in instigating the students. The Council made clear it would await the inquiry report of NALSAR's Vice-Chancellor before taking any further action. Emphasising fairness, the BCI stated: 'No student shall be made to suffer without any fault on his part.'
The factual inquiry into the underlying incidents remains ongoing, and the Council has reserved the right to act on the basis of the inquiry's findings.
Mishra Confirms Decision on X
Mishra, who is also a Senior Advocate and a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, confirmed the reversal in a post on social media platform X. He reiterated that after detailed deliberation, the BCI had modified its earlier directions concerning NALSAR, and that all 2026 pass-out students would now be entitled to seek enrolment with the State Bar Council of their choice. He added that no student should be made to suffer without any fault on his or her part.
Relief for Graduating Batch
The modified order provides immediate relief to students who had completed their five-year law programmes and were awaiting enrolment as advocates — a prerequisite for practising before any court in India. The original ban, had it stood, would have effectively barred the entire graduating batch from entering the legal profession pending inquiry outcomes.
This development underscores the BCI's dual role as both a regulatory authority and a body with significant power over individual legal careers. The Council's next move will depend on what NALSAR's internal inquiry reveals about the role of faculty and external actors in the alleged incident.
Point of View
That sequence is difficult to reconcile with due process norms the bar itself is meant to uphold. The ongoing inquiry into faculty and external actors is the real test: whether accountability follows or the episode quietly fades will say much about the BCI's institutional seriousness.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Bar Council of India ban NALSAR 2026 students from enrolment?
The BCI imposed the ban following reports of an alleged 'move of disrespect' at NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad. The Council subsequently reversed the ban the same day after concluding that the vast majority of students were innocent and had not participated in the incident.
Has the enrolment ban on NALSAR 2026 graduates been fully lifted?
Yes. The BCI's modified order, issued on 13 August 2026, entitles all 2026 pass-out students of NALSAR to seek enrolment with any State Bar Council of their choice. The reversal provides immediate relief to graduates awaiting entry into legal practice.
Who does the BCI hold responsible for the incident at NALSAR?
According to the BCI's letter, reliable sources indicated that a handful of teachers and outsiders were instrumental in instigating the students. The Council has reserved further action pending the outcome of an inquiry by NALSAR Vice-Chancellor Srikrishna Deva Rao.
What happens to the inquiry into the NALSAR incident?
The factual inquiry by NALSAR's Vice-Chancellor remains ongoing. The BCI has stated it will await the inquiry report before taking any further action, meaning individuals found responsible could still face consequences.
What did BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra say about the reversal?
Mishra, a Senior Advocate and Rajya Sabha MP, confirmed the decision in a post on social media platform X, stating that after detailed deliberation the BCI had modified its earlier directions and that all 2026 pass-out students would be entitled to seek enrolment. He emphasised that no student should be made to suffer without any fault on his or her part.
