NLSIU cancels 2026 convocation after students oppose CJI's presence The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), located in Bengaluru, has cancelled its 34th Annual Convocation, originally scheduled for September 12, 2026. The decision was made due to “unavoidable circumstances” and will result in graduating students receiving their degrees in absentia. The university announced the cancellation on August 27, following weeks of student and alumni protests against the participation of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the event. The cancellation followed a notice issued by NLSIU’s Academic Administration team on August 3, which had initially proposed September 12 as the convocation date. However, the university’s latest communication stated that the ceremony would no longer proceed. Graduating students will now be conferred their degrees without attending the event in person. The university clarified that degrees will be formally awarded through due process, with students able to collect certificates on campus or have them delivered by courier. A new form and process for selecting the preferred method of receiving certificates will be shared with students. The decision to cancel the convocation comes amid significant opposition from NLSIU students and alumni, who have consistently criticized the presence of CJI Surya Kant and BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the ceremony. CJI Surya Kant serves as the Chancellor of NLSIU and traditionally confers degrees at the annual convocation. The controversy escalated after more than 700 NLSIU students and alumni expressed their disapproval of Mishra and Kant’s attendance, demanding an unconditional apology from the BCI to the student and faculty community of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.#bengaluru #surya_kant #manan_kumar_mishra #nlsiu #bcisurveillance
