HNLU Awaits BCI Approval Amid Technical Hurdles
Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) in Nava Raipur has clarified its position concerning the delay in obtaining approval from the Bar Council of India (BCI) for the academic year 2026-27. The university asserts that it fulfilled all necessary fee payments and documentation requirements as early as December 2024. However, a technical glitch on the BCI’s portal is allegedly causing the delay in securing approval.
According to a report by Bar & Bench dated August 3, HNLU was among six National Law Universities not appearing on the BCI’s approved list post the deadline of July 31. In correspondence with Bar & Bench, Sangeeta Madan Rasaily Mishra, Public Relations and Student Welfare Officer at HNLU, affirmed that the university’s submissions in 2024 were in alignment with the BCI’s prerequisites for forthcoming years.
Documentary Compliance and Fee Submission
HNLU claims to have completed all necessary procedures as required by the BCI on December 2, 2024. This compliance, according to the university, should suffice for admissions up to the 2027-28 academic year. The university provided a demand draft amounting to ₹5,50,000 for application and inspection fees, which was dispatched on December 26, 2024, and subsequently delivered to the BCI by January 1, 2025. Additionally, a guarantee fee of ₹4,00,000 was remitted, as acknowledged in a letter dated February 13, 2025.
Approval for 2025-26 and Subsequent Challenges
The BCI granted approval to HNLU for the 2025-26 academic session via a letter on September 1, 2025. However, extending this approval to the 2026-27 session has encountered obstacles. On April 27, 2026, HNLU communicated with the BCI, requesting an extension of the approval, yet noted that it had not been issued to date.
Technical Glitch and Incorrect Fee Demand
The university attributes the delay to a technical glitch on the BCI’s side. HNLU has reported that BCI assured them of rectifying the issue via their technical team. In a letter dated July 21, HNLU pointed out that the BCI’s dashboard incorrectly displayed a demand for a ₹4,00,000 late fee, which hindered the university from completing the necessary data entry for its applications for 2026-27 and 2027-28. HNLU has appealed to the BCI to remove this erroneous charge, emphasizing that all requisite fees have already been settled.
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The situation highlights the challenges faced by educational institutions in navigating administrative procedures and the importance of resolving technical issues promptly to prevent disruptions in academic operations.
