NLSIU Cancels Convocation Following Alumni Opposition to CJI’s Presence

BENGALURU: The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has officially cancelled its 34th Annual Convocation, originally scheduled for September 12, following intense opposition from students and alumni regarding the proposed attendance of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.

In an official notice issued to the graduating batch, the premier legal institution cited “unavoidable circumstances” for calling off the physical ceremony. The administration confirmed that all graduating students of the 2026 class will instead be conferred their degrees in absentia, with options to receive their physical certificates via courier or collect them directly from the campus.

“Despite our collective best efforts, due to unavoidable circumstances, we are unable to hold the 34th Annual Convocation,” the university notice read, marking an extraordinary outcome in higher education administrative affairs.

The decision to cancel the convocation outright follows a petition signed by over 700 individuals—comprising 165 graduating students, 409 current students, and 128 alumni—opposing the inclusion of CJI Surya Kant and BCI Chief Manan Kumar Mishra on the convocation stage.