BCI Deadline Approaches: Four NLUs Await Approval

BCI’s Final Deadline for NLUs

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a final notice to law colleges, setting a deadline of July 31 for the completion of pending applications related to the renewal or extension of course approvals. This directive, outlined in a circular dated July 13, applies to Centres of Legal Education (CLEs) that either have not submitted or have left incomplete their renewal applications. It specifically addresses existing courses, sections, and sanctioned intakes, excluding new colleges or courses.

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Critical Implications for NLUs

The BCI has made it clear that merely registering on the portal, submitting an application, or paying the necessary fees does not equate to securing approval. Institutions failing to meet this deadline may be prohibited from admitting students due to the absence of valid approval.

Spotlight on Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University

The lapse in the BCI approval of Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU) triggered a broader examination of the BCI’s list of approved CLEs. This investigation revealed that several National Law Universities (NLUs) are currently lacking renewed approvals for one or more of their courses.

Communication and RTI Requests

On June 3, emails were dispatched to the registrars of these NLUs to confirm their current BCI approval status. The responses received, or the absence thereof, led to the filing of a Right to Information (RTI) application with the BCI on June 8, seeking detailed records on the approval status of these NLUs. With no response from the BCI within the statutory 30-day period, a first appeal was lodged on July 9. Subsequently, the circular offering CLEs a final chance was issued on July 13.

Responses from NLUs

Out of the ten NLUs contacted, three responded to the emails. Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University (DSNLU) in Visakhapatnam provided a BCI communication confirming provisional approval for the academic year 2026-27 for its courses. Meanwhile, National Law Institute University (NLIU) in Bhopal stated through Registrar Vivek Bakshi that the university is recognized by the BCI, having submitted renewal documents and fees on December 23, 2024. Nevertheless, the BCI has reiterated that fee payment and application submission do not automatically bestow approval.

When questioned directly about possessing current approval and the availability of a copy, NLIU did not provide an immediate response. At National Law University Odisha (NLUO) in Cuttack, Registrar and Professor of Law Rangin Pallav Tripathy asserted that the university holds necessary BCI approval up to the next academic year. However, NLUO declined to share documentation, citing concerns over the appropriateness of disclosing correspondence between the regulatory body and the university.

Unresponsive Institutions

National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru and National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) in Kochi did not respond to the emails.

Current BCI Approval Status

As of June, several NLUs, including the National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) in Ranchi, National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA) in Assam, Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) in Nagpur, MNLU in Mumbai, and Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), have secured current approval according to the BCI’s list. None of these universities responded to the emails from Bar & Bench.