NLSIU Convocation 2026 Cancelled due to “Unavoidable Circumstances”

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has cancelled its 34th Annual Convocation for the graduating Class of 2026. According to a communication issued by the University Registrar to graduating students, there were “unavoidable circumstances” for the decision. The authorities did not publicly attribute the cancellation to any particular individual or controversy. 

The cancellation comes days after a section of NLSIU students and alumni publicly opposed the proposed participation of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the University's convocation. The development also comes against the backdrop of the recent controversy at the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad, where students had raised objections to the reported invitation to CJI Surya Kant to attend their convocation. 

NLSIU cancellation follows opposition over proposed dignitaries 

Reports indicate that students and alumni of NLSIU had objected to the proposed presence of CJI Surya Kant and BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the University's convocation. A statement issued by NLSIU students and alumni reportedly carried the signatures of 165 graduating students, 409 current students and 128 alumni. The signatories expressed solidarity with NALSAR students and raised concerns over the BCI's handling of the NALSAR controversy. The students reportedly demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI and questioned the participation of both Mishra and the CJI in their convocation in the aftermath of the NALSAR episode. 

The cancellation of the NLSIU convocation now adds another development to a controversy that has increasingly involved law students, the BCI and questions surrounding the participation of constitutional and regulatory authorities in university convocations. 

NALSAR controversy and BCI's withdrawn enrolment order 

The controversy originated at NALSAR, where a section of students had reportedly objected to CJI Surya Kant being invited as the chief guest for the university's convocation. The issue escalated on August 13 when the BCI initially directed State Bar Councils not to enrol the entire 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR. The action was linked to an alleged campaign concerning the proposed participation of the CJI in the convocation. 

The BCI withdrew the decision within hours following widespread criticism. BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra subsequently stated that proceedings against the NALSAR students had been closed and that no inquiry would be pursued against the graduating batch. He said the decision followed representations and reactions from senior advocates, members of the Bar, law students and others. BCI Chairman Manan Mishra later issued an apology to law students amid criticism over the episode. Reports stated that the apology followed objections raised by students at both NALSAR and NLSIU regarding the BCI's handling of the controversy. 

CJI Surya Kant on NALSAR invitation 

The controversy also witnessed a clarification from CJI Surya Kant. On August 17, the CJI reportedly stated that he had never accepted the invitation to attend the NALSAR convocation and, therefore, there was no question of his attending the ceremony or facing protests. The clarification came after the controversy had already expanded beyond the proposed convocation appearance, with the BCI's intervention becoming a major point of criticism. 

NLSIU now cancels its own convocation 

Against this backdrop, NLSIU's decision to cancel its 2026 convocation assumes significance. The University has, however, cited only “unavoidable circumstances” in its communication to graduating students. There is presently no official statement establishing that the cancellation was ordered or caused by the objections concerning CJI Surya Kant or BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. 

The timing, nevertheless, has drawn attention because the cancellation follows the reported opposition by NLSIU students and alumni to the proposed attendance of the same two dignitaries whose involvement had become central to the NALSAR controversy. The development also comes shortly after other institutions altered or postponed events involving the CJI. Earlier this month, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) postponed its convocation and subsequently announced a different chief guest, while OP Jindal Global University reportedly replaced the CJI with Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi for its convocation. However, no official link between those decisions and the NALSAR controversy was established in the reports.