NLSIU Bengaluru Schedules Convocation on October 17 After CJI Invite Row

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has scheduled its 34th annual convocation for October 17, following weeks of controversy over the proposed participation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra. The university had earlier cancelled the convocation planned for September 12, citing “unavoidable circumstances”. It has now announced a fresh date for the ceremony, although it has not clarified whether the CJI will attend the October 17 event.

The earlier cancellation had triggered concerns among graduating students and alumni, who had opposed or raised objections to the proposed participation of the CJI and the BCI chairperson. The issue led to considerable discussion within the university community, with students and alumni expressing their reservations over the proposed invitees. Amid the developments, NLSIU had announced on August 27 that graduating students would instead be conferred their degrees in absentia following the cancellation of the scheduled ceremony.

The September 12 convocation was expected to mark an important occasion for graduating students, but the university’s decision to call off the event changed the planned arrangements. NLSIU cited circumstances beyond its control for the cancellation but did not provide detailed reasons in the announcement. The decision came at a time when objections surrounding the participation of the CJI and the BCI chairperson had become a prominent issue among sections of the student and alumni community.

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The announcement of October 17 as the new convocation date means graduating students will now have the opportunity to attend a formal ceremony, subject to the university’s final arrangements. However, uncertainty remains over the participation of the previously proposed chief guests. NLSIU has not stated whether Chief Justice Surya Kant will be part of the October 17 convocation, leaving open the question of whether the university will retain the earlier invitation or make changes to the programme.

The controversy has placed attention on the relationship between the university, its students and alumni, as well as the role of senior figures from India’s legal institutions at the institution’s annual convocation. NLSIU, one of India’s prominent law universities, attracts students from across the country and its convocation is a significant academic event for graduating batches. The objections over the proposed participation of senior legal figures had therefore become a central issue surrounding this year’s ceremony.

With the new date now announced, further details about the October 17 programme, including the list of dignitaries and the arrangements for degree conferral, are expected to be communicated by the university. The immediate question is whether the CJI and the BCI chairperson will remain part of the event after the objections that preceded the cancellation of the September ceremony. Until NLSIU provides further clarification, the university’s October 17 convocation remains the latest scheduled arrangement for the graduating students.

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