The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, will hold its 34th annual convocation on October 17, 2026, after cancelling the ceremony earlier scheduled for September 12 due to “unavoidable circumstances”.

The university had earlier said that degrees would be conferred in absentia after receiving the necessary approvals from its governing bodies. The latest announcement sets October 17 as the date for both the convocation and the formal conferment of degrees.

The decision was taken at the 107th meeting of the university’s Executive Council and the 40th meeting of its General Council, held on September 9. The meetings were chaired by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who is the Chancellor of NLSIU.

The announcement comes weeks after the university cancelled the original ceremony amid opposition from students and alumni to the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.

More than 700 current and former NLSIU students had objected to the proposed attendance of the two officials. The controversy intensified after the BCI briefly halted the enrolment of graduating students at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, on August 13, following students’ objections to the proposed presence of the CJI at their convocation. The enrolment was later restored.

NLSIU students subsequently met CJI Kant, who sought to understand their concerns. Following the meeting, graduating batches were asked to vote on whether they would attend a convocation with the CJI present without protest or disruption.

In an email to students, the university Registrar said the governing bodies had approved the proposal to hold the convocation on October 17. “The Executive Council and the General Council approved the proposal and resolved to hold the 34th Annual Convocation on October 17, 2026,” the communication said.

The university also decided that all graduating students would be formally conferred their degrees on the same day, either in person or in absentia. Students can indicate their preference through a form, while a detailed schedule and other instructions will be issued separately.

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