BCI’s Special Consideration for Maharashtra Law Schools
In an unprecedented move, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has extended conditional approval to existing law colleges in the state of Maharashtra for the academic year 2026-27. This decision is outlined in an order dated August 10, which aligns with the state’s Centralised Admission Process (CAP) for law courses, overseen by the State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell.
Extension and Conditional Terms
The deadline for CAP Round-I option forms has been postponed to August 11, as per the BCI’s directive. This conditional approval is designed to ensure that eligible colleges and students do not face setbacks due to the time-consuming regular approval procedures. The approval is applicable to existing Centers of Legal Education (CLEs) for their current law courses, sections, and sanctioned student intake. However, it is contingent upon the CLEs maintaining a valid affiliation with their respective universities. These universities are charged with verifying the affiliation’s authenticity against the BCI’s existing records.
Compliance and Obligations for CLEs
All CLEs benefiting from this arrangement must complete the BCI portal process by August 31, 2026, submit the necessary documentation, and pay relevant fees. Importantly, the BCI has clarified that this relaxation does not waive any past or present fees or requirements for regularization of previous sessions. Colleges are still obligated to fulfill any pending regularization processes and cannot leverage this relaxation as a means to bypass these duties.
Scope and Limitations
This conditional approval exclusively applies to existing CLEs and their current courses, sections, and student intake numbers. Any new CLEs, or requests for new courses, sections, or increased intake, must still undergo the standard BCI approval process. Failure to meet deadlines, non-payment of fees, invalid affiliations, or incorrect information may result in the BCI withholding, modifying, suspending, or revoking the approval, along with potential further actions.
Registration Process for CLEs
CLEs that are already registered on the BCI portal can apply for an extension via the council’s website. Those not yet registered should request a registration link by emailing cle@barcouncilofindia.org, dlebci@gmail.com, and bciinfo21@mail.com. The email should include the subject “REGISTRATION LINK FOR EXISTING CLE NOT REGISTERED ON BCI PORTAL” along with approval letters and contact details.
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Specific to Maharashtra and Non-Precedential
BCI has emphasized that this arrangement is specific to Maharashtra and solely for the current session, primarily due to the CAP Round-I timeline. It is not intended to set a precedent for other states or sessions. This order succeeds a July 13 circular which gave CLEs a deadline of July 31 for renewals, as well as a July 23 circular which linked renewals to physical inspections.
In Maharashtra, the issue of law admissions has already been brought before the Bombay High Court. During these proceedings, certain Mumbai colleges have expressed their intent to pay penalties “under protest” to adhere to the CAP deadlines.
