Bar Council Of India

BCI chief rejects co-chair's allegations, says charges have 'no value'

Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra on Saturday rejected allegations levelled against him by senior advocate and the bar body's co-chairman, Y R Sadasiva Reddy, saying the charges have "no value" among lawyers and asserting that he is a man of "honesty and integrity". In a letter dated August 22, Reddy called upon Mishra to resign within 15 days and sought a special meeting of the BCI, along with an independent audit of its accounts and the BCI Trust PEARL-First. The letter mentioned Reddy's designation as the bar body's co-chairman. Reddy alleged that the statutory body has drifted away from the standards expected of it under Mishra's leadership. In an exclusive interview to PTI, Mishra, however claimed that Reddy is no longer a member of the BCI as he did not contest the last bar council polls in his home state, Karnataka. He said Reddy was a BCI member for eight years but did not raise such complaints during that time. "Lawyers know me and know that I am a

'Bar deserves better': BCI co-chair calls upon Manan Mishra to step down

Bar Council's co-chair Y R Sadashiva Reddy has listed eight grounds for seeking his chief's resignation, including the BCI's handling of the Nalsar controversy and alleged financial irregularities

AIBE 22 registration 2026: BCI (XXII) online applications to begin today

AIBE XXII registration and application process starts today on the official website for the entrance exam. The last date for AIBE 22 to submit applications is Oct 27, 2026

BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra apologises to law students over NALSAR row

Bar Council of India (BCI) chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra has apologised to law students after facing criticism over a now-withdrawn order to state bar councils not to enrol any of the current batch of graduating NALSAR students as advocates. In a statement issued on Independence Day, Mishra said recent developments had caused concern among students and expressed regret if any of his words or communications had hurt their feelings. "If anything connected with the present controversy, any of my words, or letter, has hurt the feelings of our law students, I sincerely regret and apologise for the same. There should be no hesitation in saying so. An expression of regret is not a matter of prestige or ego. It is simply an acknowledgement that the feelings and concerns of our students matter," the statement said. The controversy began after a section of students of NALSAR University of Law wrote to the vice chancellor, registrar and professors of the institution, opposing any proposal to

CJI Kant terms BCI's move against Nalsar students as totally uncalled for

The remarks came after Senior Advocate K Parameshwar mentioned the matter before a Supreme Court Bench, saying the BCI has no business of what's going on in a university'

NALSAR row: SC pulls up BCI over circular, backs students' right to protest

The Supreme Court on Friday took a stern view of a Bar Council of India (BCI) circular directing all state bar councils not to enrol any 2026 batch graduate of NALSAR University of Law as advocates, saying students have a right to protest. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said the BCI has nothing to do in the matter as it was a dialogue between him and the students. "They (students) have a right to protest. Who can stop them," the CJI, who was heading a bench which also comprised Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said. "It's a dialogue between me and students. Who are they (BCI) to interfere," the CJI said. The observations came after a plea challenging the BCI circular was mentioned for urgent listing. The bench issued notice to the BCI seeking its response on the plea and directed that no punitive action be taken against the students or faculty of the NALSAR at the instance of the BCI or any other state bar councils. The counsel appearing for the BCI told the ben

Nalsar controversy: Students' dissent, BCI's move, backlash, and a U-turn

Hyderabad's Nalsar University invited CJI Surya Kant to attend its convocation as chief guest, despite a campaign by students opposing his participation.

BCI revises order, allows state bar councils to enrol 2026 NALSAR graduates

The Bar Council of India (BCI) Thursday directed all state bar councils not to enrol any 2026 graduate of NALSAR University of Law as advocate until further orders but reversed this order within hours after an uproar on social media. In the first statement, BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra said it was examining allegations regarding a campaign against Chief Justice of India Surya Kant's participation in the university's convocation and had sought a report identifying those responsible. The apex statutory body for lawyers said a final decision in the matter would be taken on August 19 after considering the material placed before it. The BCI then modified its decision after the uproar on social media and allowed state bar councils to enrol 2026 graduates of NALSAR University of Law as advocates. The new notification modified the earlier order, saying the "vast majority" of the students were innocent and should not be made to suffer for the alleged misconduct of a few. In the fresh

AIBE 21 result 2026: BCI XXI exam result likely to be out today on website

The Bar Council of India is expected to declare the AIBE 21 Result 2026 today, 16 July. Candidates can download their scorecard and check other details about the Certificate of Practice (CoP)

Supreme Court directs BCI to audit advocate disciplinary mechanism

The Supreme Court has directed the Bar Council of India to review its disciplinary mechanism and that of State Bar Councils to improve accountability, transparency and regulatory oversight

AIBE 21 Admit Card 2026 will be released today on website; how to download

The BCI will release the AIBE 21 Admit Card 2026 on May 22. Candidates appearing for the All India Bar Examination can download the hall ticket via the AIBE official website

Bar council moves SC to finalise 10% co-option formula for women

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has moved the Supreme Court seeking approval for a merit-based "co-option" mechanism to ensure 30 per cent women's representation in state bar councils. The BCI, the apex bar body, has proposed to fill a 10-per cent co-option quota by selecting women candidates who have secured the highest number of votes among those not elected, rather than through subjective appointments. The proposal aims to complement the 20 per cent seats reserved for women through direct election, bringing the total representation to the 30-per cent mandate previously set by the apex court. BCI chairperson and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, in a statement, said the bar body has considered the submissions made by stakeholders before the apex court-appointed High Powered Election Supervisory Committee on the co-option of women members in state bar councils. "This issue concerns not merely filling seats, but the larger institutional objective, which is ensuring that women ...

SC stays counting of Delhi Bar Council polls over tampering allegations

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the counting of votes for the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) elections following tampering allegations and asked the Delhi High Court to conduct day-to-hearing on the pleas. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order while hearing a plea filed by Birender Sangwan and others. The CJI transferred the matter to a division bench of the high court, urging the Chief Justice to constitute a special bench to hear the dispute on a day-to-day basis. "Learned counsels for the parties have fairly agreed that since effective adjudication of controversy might require summoning of original records, such as ballot papers etc., it would be apt, if matter is entrusted to a division bench of the Delhi High Court. "Consequently, we transfer these petitions to the Delhi High Court with a request to the Chief Justice to list the same before a special bench within this week," the bench ordered. The bench said till then the high

Supreme Court says courts cannot decide on duration of law courses

Bench says legal education policy must be shaped through wider consultation among academicians, jurists, Bar and researchers while hearing plea to shorten five-year law course

Women lawyers to take on leadership roles, but barriers persist: Survey

An SCBA survey shows women lawyers keen to lead, yet gender bias, pay gaps, limited mentorship and motherhood pressures continue to restrict equal access to leadership roles

Bar vital in upholding sanctity of Constitution, says CJI Surya Kant

The Bar occupies an indispensable place in fortifying the rule of law and upholding the sanctity of the Constitution, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said on Wednesday while also stressing its importance in providing legal aid to the vulnerable and the marginalised. Addressing a gathering at a Constitution Day function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, the CJI said the judiciary has repeatedly acknowledged the invaluable role of the Bar in safeguarding its virtues. "When we celebrate the pivotal moment when the people of India gifted unto themselves their most fundamental covenant, I stand before you and must emphasise that the Bar occupies an indispensable place in fortifying the rule of law and upholding the sanctity of our Constitution... "I do not hesitate in saying that if the courts are regarded as the sentinel of the Constitution, then the members of the Bar are the torchbearers who illuminate our path. They help us discharge our solemn duty with clarity and .

SC directs BCI to notify Punjab, Haryana bar council polls in 10 days

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Bar Council of India to notify elections for Punjab and Haryana bar councils in ten days and hold the polls by December 31, 2025. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi also directed apex bar body Bar Council of India (BCI) to hold elections for the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council by January 31, 2026 and address the genuine and bonafide grievances of electors. The top court passed the directions after it was pointed out that elections for Punjab and Haryana bar councils have not been notified and in Uttar Pradesh the voter list is not being uploaded on the website. Senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, who is also chairman of Bar Council of India, submitted that as per rules 180 days need to be there between the holding of election and its notification and they may face some difficulties in case of Punjab and Harayan. Justice Kant asked Mishra to form a committee headed by retired high court judge to hold the bar council elections for ..

BCI warns law firms against foreign tie-ups, clarifies cross-border limits

Bar Council reiterates that foreign law firms cannot practise Indian law, warns against joint branding or alliances that create the appearance of integrated operations

Lawyer tries to hurl shoe at CJI in courtroom; PM condemns incident

In its suspension notice, the BCI said that Kishore's conduct was "inconsistent" with the council's rules and the dignity of the court, and therefore he was being suspended immediately

State Bar Councils, BCI cannot charge 'optional' fee from new lawyers: SC

State Bar Councils or the Bar Council of India cannot collect any "optional" fee other than the statutory charge from law graduates enrolling as lawyers, the Supreme Court has said while asking the Karnataka State Bar Council to stop collecting any such amount. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan passed the direction on a contempt plea filed by K L J A Kiran Babu, alleging that directions issued by this court in July last year on not charging exorbitant fees from enrolling law graduates by state bar councils, especially the Karnataka State Bar Council are not being complied with in letter and spirit. The Bar Council of India, in its affidavit, said all state bar councils are complying with the directions of the court and the Rs 6,800 charged by the Karnataka State Bar Council for ID cards, certificates, welfare fund, and training, among others, and Rs 25,000 over and above the statutory fees are optional and not mandatory. "We make it clear that there is nothing like