NLSIU Cancels 2026 Convocation Amid Row Over CJI Surya Kant’s Proposed Artendance

The National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, has cancelled its 34th annual convocation for the batch of graduates for 2026 in the wake of a controversy over the planned Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant’s involvement.

Earlier the University had notified the students that the convocation will be held on September 12. But, in a notification dated 27 August, NLSIU has stated that they are unable to conduct the ceremony on account of “unavoidable circumstances”.

Graduates would instead be awarded their degrees in absentia as long as approved by the university’s governing bodies, the university said. Pupils will have a choice of how they get their certificates: either by post or collection from the campus. It added, “all graduating students will be conferred their degrees in absentia after due approvals by the Governing Bodies. Students may elect to receive their Certificates by courier or collect them at Campus. The University will share a new form and the process with all graduating students to choose their preferred option later today.”

Students had objected to CJI’s proposed presence

The cancellation comes in the wake of a protest by NLSIU students as CJI Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra are to attend the convocation at the varsity.

The controversy follows a separate dispute at NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, where students had objected the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant as chief guest. The BCI had subsequently issued an order temporarily stopping enrolment of NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch with state bar councils, before modifying the order.

The amended BCI decision said the vast majority of the graduating students were not involved in any attempt to show disrespect and allowed all students from the batch to enrol with state bar councils.

NLSIU students had also demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI over its earlier action against the NALSAR graduates.

CJP reacts to cancellation

The cancellation also drew a reaction from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Its co-convenor Saurav Das said he hoped the graduating students would organise their own graduation ceremony and invite a special guest to felicitate them.

“I hope the NLSIU graduating batch organises its own graduation ceremony and invites the most honourable guest to felicitate them. Do it the Gen-Z way!” Das said.

The university has not announced any alternative date for an in-person convocation.