Bengaluru: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant is set to attend the 34th annual convocation of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, on October 17, weeks after the university cancelled its earlier ceremony amid controversy over his proposed presence.

CJI Surya Kant will preside over NLSIU’s 34th annual convocation as the university’s Chancellor, according to a LiveLaw report. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 17 at the Jnana Jyoti Auditorium on Palace Road in Bengaluru.

Veteran theatre and film personality Arundhati Nag will be the Chief Guest and deliver the convocation address. The ceremony is expected to run from 11 am to 1 pm, according to reports.

Why was the earlier convocation cancelled?

NLSIU had originally scheduled its 2026 convocation for September 12. The university later cancelled the ceremony, citing “unavoidable circumstances”, and said degrees would instead be conferred on students in absentia.

The cancellation came amid objections from NLSIU students over the proposed presence of CJI Surya Kant and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.

Controversy linked to NALSAR

The dispute followed developments at NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad.

Students there had objected to the proposed presence of CJI Surya Kant at their convocation. The issue intensified on August 13 after the BCI directed State Bar Councils to halt enrolment of NALSAR’s graduating batch. The directive was withdrawn within hours.

Following the episode, NLSIU students and alumni expressed solidarity with NALSAR students and criticised the BCI’s action.

Students raised concerns over NLSIU ceremony

According to reports by LiveLaw and Bar & Bench, Justice Kant subsequently met NLSIU students to hear their concerns.

Students were later asked to vote on attending a convocation at which CJI Kant would be present. A majority reportedly supported the arrangement on the understanding that BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra would not attend.

The controversy resurfaced after students were reportedly asked to publicly invite CJI Kant to the ceremony. The graduating batch did not agree to the demand, according to reports.

The September 12 ceremony was subsequently cancelled.

New date approved for October 17

NLSIU’s governing bodies later approved October 17 as the new date for the convocation. Students will have the option of receiving their degrees in person or in absentia.

CJI Surya Kant is now expected to preside over the ceremony in his capacity as Chancellor.

The October 17 convocation marks a change from NLSIU’s earlier decision to cancel its September ceremony. The episode also highlights tensions between sections of the law student community and regulatory bodies following the August controversy at NALSAR.

The BCI’s brief directive concerning enrolment at NALSAR became a key point of contention among students and alumni at other national law universities. NLSIU students subsequently raised concerns about the participation of senior legal officials in their own convocation.

The revised arrangement allows the university to hold the ceremony while giving students the option of attending in person or receiving their degrees in absentia. The reported decision also comes after CJI Kant engaged with NLSIU students over their concerns.