NLSIU Bengaluru Cancels 34th Annual Convocation Scheduled for September 12

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has cancelled its 34th annual convocation, which was scheduled to take place on September 12, 2026, citing unavoidable circumstances.

In a notification issued on Thursday, the university stated that despite collective efforts, it would not be able to hold the convocation as planned. Graduating students will instead receive their degrees in absentia, subject to approvals from the university's governing bodies.

According to the Registrar, students were initially informed on August 3 that September 12 had been proposed as the date for the annual ceremony. However, the university noted that circumstances beyond its control made it impossible to proceed with the event.

Graduating students will be provided options to either have their degree certificates delivered by courier or collect them directly from the campus. The administration stated that a new form and details regarding the collection process will be shared with the graduating cohort so they can indicate their preferences.

The decision to call off the convocation comes days after the 2026 graduating batch of NLSIU, alongside more than 120 alumni, issued an open letter criticising the Bar Council of India (BCI) for its actions against the outgoing batch of students at the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad.

In their letter dated August 15, the NLSIU students and alumni demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI to the NALSAR student and faculty communities. They also called for Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to be reconsidered as the chief guest for NALSAR's convocation and expressed disapproval of his proposed attendance at NLSIU's ceremony. The letter further raised objections to the proposed presence of BCI Chairman and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra.

While the BCI subsequently closed the proceedings against the NALSAR students, the NLSIU student cohort maintained that the withdrawal did not resolve their concerns regarding the initiation of such actions against students and faculty members of a public university.

NLSIU administration has not stated whether the cancellation of the September 12 convocation is linked to the controversy involving the BCI or the proposed participation of the Chief Justice of India and the BCI Chairman.