Latest news with #RulesofLegalEducation
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bar Council of India imposes three-year moratorium on new law colleges nationwide
In a sweeping regulatory move to curb the proliferation of sub-standard law colleges across India, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has on Wednesday (August 13, 2025) announced a three-year nationwide moratorium on the establishment of new centres of legal education. During the moratorium period, no new centre will be established or granted approval anywhere in India, the regulatory body said. It further said no existing centre will introduce any new section, course, or batch without the prior written and express approval of the BCI. The council said it took this step 'to arrest the decline in quality across segments of legal education, evidenced by the unchecked mushrooming of sub-standard institutions, routine issuance of no objection certificates (NOCs) by State governments and affiliations by universities without proper inspection'. It additionally said that this step was aimed at preventing 'the commercialisation of legal education, widespread academic malpractice, and persistent shortages of qualified faculty'. 'Focus on quality enhancement' With around 2000 centres of legal education already operating, the BCI said the country's institutional capacity is adequate, and 'the focus must shift to consolidation, quality enhancement, and systemic strengthening in the interest of the public and in furtherance of constitutional commitments'. During the moratorium, existing centres will be subject to intensified inspections and compliance audits, the BCI said. 'The BCI may order closure or derecognition where institutions fail to maintain prescribed standards and will discourage issuance of fresh NOCs or affiliations for new institutions or courses,' it added. This is not the first time that the BCI has issued such a moratorium. In August 2019, the BCI imposed a moratorium on opening new law colleges for a period of three years. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, in December 2020, struck down the moratorium. 'The present regulation [Rules of Legal Education, moratorium (three-year moratorium)] answers the court's guidance by enacting the measures through formal rules and reinforces the council's long-standing commitment to quality,' the BCI said.
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
BCI announces three-year moratorium on new law colleges
New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): The Bar Council of India (BCI) has approved the Rules of Legal Education, Moratorium (Three-Year Moratorium) 2025, which will remain in force for three years once this moratorium, no new law colleges will be set up or granted approval anywhere in India. Existing institutions will also not be allowed to start new sections, courses, or batches without prior written permission from the BCI. Pending applications that have already reached the final stage of approval will not be affected and will continue to be processed as per the BCI said the move is aimed at stopping the decline in the quality of legal education caused by the rapid growth of sub-standard institutions, easy approvals without proper checks, commercialisation, academic malpractice, and lack of qualified faculty. With about 2,000 law colleges already in operation, the Council believes the focus should now be on improving quality rather than expansion. The moratorium is backed by provisions of the Advocates Act, 1961 and follows earlier measures, including a similar pause in 2019 and court guidance in 2020. The Council has also urged state governments, universities, and other bodies not to forward proposals for new law colleges during this exceptions will apply, such as proposals meant exclusively for socially and educationally backwards classes, SC/ST communities, economically weaker sections, persons with disabilities, and institutions in remote or tribal areas. However, these will be allowed only if strict conditions are met, including proper government clearances, infrastructure, and faculty the moratorium, existing colleges will face stricter inspections and compliance audits. Violations could lead to withdrawal of BCI approval, derecognition of degrees, and legal action against institutions and officials BCI will review the policy each year and may extend, modify, or repeal it depending on circumstances. The Council has called on all stakeholders to prioritise quality over quantity and uphold the highest standards in legal education. (ANI)
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
St. Aloysius to launch graduate law programmes from 2025-26
St. Aloysius (deemed-to-be-university) will offer graduate law programmes from 2025-26 academic year, after the Bar Council of India recently granted recognition to its School of Law under the Advocates' Act. Vice-Chancellor Praveen Martis told reporters here on Thursday, that the School would offer a three-year LLB (Honours) and a five-year Integrated BBA-LLB (Honours), with an intake of 60 students each. The programmes are approved for academic years 2025–26 and 2026–27 and adhere to the Rules of Legal Education, 2008. The University has created an ecosystem for holistic legal education that rivals the best in the country. The law library, housing over ₹33 lakh worth of resources, is fully integrated with SCC Online, Manupatra, and Knimbus eLibrary, providing 24/7 remote access to leading legal databases and journals, managed through the Koha Library Management System, making legal research seamless and advanced. Admissions to the two courses are open, and interested applicants may visit the official university website at to explore eligibility, curriculum, and application details.
