The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru has cancelled its 34th annual convocation for the 2026 graduating batch, just weeks before the scheduled ceremony.
The university had earlier informed students that the convocation would take place on September 12, 2026. However, in a notice issued on August 27, NLSIU said the ceremony would not be held due to “unavoidable circumstances”.
Degrees to Be Conferred in Absentia
According to the university’s latest notice, graduating students will receive their degrees in absentia, subject to the required approvals from the university’s governing bodies.
Students will reportedly be given the option of receiving their certificates by courier or collecting them personally from the campus. NLSIU said further details and a form for selecting the preferred option would be shared with the graduating batch.
Decision Follows Opposition Over Invitees
The cancellation comes amid opposition from students and alumni over the proposed presence of Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra and Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at the convocation.
More than 700 students and alumni had reportedly signed a statement raising objections to their participation.
The development also comes against the backdrop of the recent NALSAR convocation controversy, where the BCI had initially directed State Bar Councils to halt enrolment of the university’s 2026 graduating batch following student opposition to the proposed presence of CJI Surya Kant at its convocation.
That direction was later withdrawn.
Students Called for Apology From BCI
The NLSIU students and alumni also demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI to the NALSAR student and faculty community.
The signatories included 165 graduating students, 409 current students and 128 alumni.
They criticised the BCI’s earlier action against NALSAR students and described it as an attack on freedom of expression.
CJI Held Dialogue With Students
Sources cited in the report said that CJI Surya Kant had a lengthy interaction with NLSIU students, lasting around 90 minutes, to understand their concerns.
Despite the interaction and the subsequent developments, NLSIU has now decided not to hold its scheduled convocation.
What NLSIU Said
The university attributed the cancellation to “unavoidable circumstances” without providing further details in the notice.
The decision means that the 2026 graduating batch will not have the traditional convocation ceremony and will instead receive their degrees through the alternative process announced by the university.
The development follows a wider debate within India’s law-school community over institutional autonomy, student expression and the role of regulatory and constitutional authorities in university ceremonies.
Key Details
University: National Law School of India University, Bengaluru
Batch: 2026 graduating batch
Convocation: 34th Annual Convocation
Earlier scheduled date: September 12, 2026
New decision: Convocation cancelled; degrees to be conferred in absentia
Reason stated by university: Unavoidable circumstances
