NLSIU records sixfold rise in absentia degrees
A total of 105 regular graduates of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, received degrees in absentia at Saturday’s convocation, against 17 last year, amid a dispute over Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s participation.
The figure represents an increase of 88 students and more than six times the previous year’s number. However, the total does not establish how many graduates deliberately stayed away in protest, since individual reasons for choosing the absentia option have not been independently established.
The university held its 34th annual convocation at the Jnana Jyoti Auditorium on October 17, with Justice Surya Kant presiding as Chancellor. The ceremony had originally been scheduled for September 12 before the university cancelled it in August, citing unavoidable circumstances.
The cancellation followed objections from sections of the graduating class, current students and alumni to the proposed presence of Justice Surya Kant and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. The university subsequently restored the ceremony, fixing October 17 after approval by its Executive Council and General Council.
Graduates were offered a choice between attending personally and receiving their qualifications in absentia. The university had informed students that those selecting the latter arrangement could collect their certificates after the ceremony, with collection details to be communicated separately.
The objections developed against the backdrop of a confrontation involving students at NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, who had questioned the Chief Justice’s proposed participation at their own convocation. The Bar Council subsequently issued a directive affecting enrolment of the graduating batch as advocates, but withdrew it after a challenge.
An August statement endorsed by 165 graduating NLSIU students, 409 serving students and 128 alumni criticised that directive and expressed solidarity with NALSAR students. The signatories argued that professional consequences should not follow peaceful expressions of disagreement. Their intervention preceded NLSIU’s decision to cancel its original convocation date.
Addressing Saturday’s gathering, Justice Surya Kant referred to uncertainty surrounding the ceremony and attributed it to what he described as external forces. He did not identify those forces in the remarks reported from the event, and the assertion remains his characterisation of the controversy.
He urged graduating lawyers to preserve intellectual independence, uphold constitutional principles and listen respectfully to opposing views. He said the profession demanded courage alongside legal knowledge, and emphasised the importance of defending justice without abandoning humility or fairness.
The Chief Justice also stressed that disagreement need not undermine personal dignity. His remarks followed weeks of public discussion about the rights of law students to protest and the responsibilities of professional regulatory bodies towards those entering legal practice.
NLSIU’s official account confirmed that 1,720 students graduated across its programmes. Of these, 1,390 completed online and hybrid courses, while 330 belonged to regular academic programmes, including doctoral, postgraduate and undergraduate degrees.
The regular graduating group comprised 116 students from the five-year BA LLB programme, 72 from the three-year LLB programme, 100 from the LLM programme, 36 from the Master of Public Policy programme and six doctoral candidates.
The 105 absentia recipients therefore accounted for nearly one-third of the 330 regular graduates, although the university’s published ceremony summary did not break down absentia choices by programme or explain the reasons for individual non-attendance.
Actor and theatre practitioner Arundhati Nag delivered the convocation address as chief guest. She also presented medals and prizes to outstanding graduates. Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who holds the law portfolio, addressed the gathering.
Vice-Chancellor Sudhir Krishnaswamy presented the university’s annual report for the 2025-26 academic year. Siddharth Kumar, a former co-president of the Student Bar Association, delivered the graduating student address.
The university awarded 50 gold medals to 24 graduates. Its published breakdown allocated 28 medals to the BA LLB programme, eight to LLM students, two to public policy, one each to the three-year LLB and an online business law programme, and ten for co-curricular achievements.
The university had announced that the October ceremony would begin at 11 am. Its official programme placed the graduating student address before the Chancellor formally opened the proceedings and conferred qualifications.
The ceremony took place at the Palace Road auditorium rather than on the university campus. Its programme included the formal declaration opening the convocation, conferment of degrees and medals, addresses by the invited speakers and the Chancellor, and the formal dissolution of proceedings.
The figure represents an increase of 88 students and more than six times the previous year’s number. However, the total does not establish how many graduates deliberately stayed away in protest, since individual reasons for choosing the absentia option have not been independently established.
The university held its 34th annual convocation at the Jnana Jyoti Auditorium on October 17, with Justice Surya Kant presiding as Chancellor. The ceremony had originally been scheduled for September 12 before the university cancelled it in August, citing unavoidable circumstances.
The cancellation followed objections from sections of the graduating class, current students and alumni to the proposed presence of Justice Surya Kant and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. The university subsequently restored the ceremony, fixing October 17 after approval by its Executive Council and General Council.
Graduates were offered a choice between attending personally and receiving their qualifications in absentia. The university had informed students that those selecting the latter arrangement could collect their certificates after the ceremony, with collection details to be communicated separately.
The objections developed against the backdrop of a confrontation involving students at NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, who had questioned the Chief Justice’s proposed participation at their own convocation. The Bar Council subsequently issued a directive affecting enrolment of the graduating batch as advocates, but withdrew it after a challenge.
An August statement endorsed by 165 graduating NLSIU students, 409 serving students and 128 alumni criticised that directive and expressed solidarity with NALSAR students. The signatories argued that professional consequences should not follow peaceful expressions of disagreement. Their intervention preceded NLSIU’s decision to cancel its original convocation date.
Addressing Saturday’s gathering, Justice Surya Kant referred to uncertainty surrounding the ceremony and attributed it to what he described as external forces. He did not identify those forces in the remarks reported from the event, and the assertion remains his characterisation of the controversy.
He urged graduating lawyers to preserve intellectual independence, uphold constitutional principles and listen respectfully to opposing views. He said the profession demanded courage alongside legal knowledge, and emphasised the importance of defending justice without abandoning humility or fairness.
The Chief Justice also stressed that disagreement need not undermine personal dignity. His remarks followed weeks of public discussion about the rights of law students to protest and the responsibilities of professional regulatory bodies towards those entering legal practice.
NLSIU’s official account confirmed that 1,720 students graduated across its programmes. Of these, 1,390 completed online and hybrid courses, while 330 belonged to regular academic programmes, including doctoral, postgraduate and undergraduate degrees.
The regular graduating group comprised 116 students from the five-year BA LLB programme, 72 from the three-year LLB programme, 100 from the LLM programme, 36 from the Master of Public Policy programme and six doctoral candidates.
The 105 absentia recipients therefore accounted for nearly one-third of the 330 regular graduates, although the university’s published ceremony summary did not break down absentia choices by programme or explain the reasons for individual non-attendance.
Actor and theatre practitioner Arundhati Nag delivered the convocation address as chief guest. She also presented medals and prizes to outstanding graduates. Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who holds the law portfolio, addressed the gathering.
Vice-Chancellor Sudhir Krishnaswamy presented the university’s annual report for the 2025-26 academic year. Siddharth Kumar, a former co-president of the Student Bar Association, delivered the graduating student address.
The university awarded 50 gold medals to 24 graduates. Its published breakdown allocated 28 medals to the BA LLB programme, eight to LLM students, two to public policy, one each to the three-year LLB and an online business law programme, and ten for co-curricular achievements.
The university had announced that the October ceremony would begin at 11 am. Its official programme placed the graduating student address before the Chancellor formally opened the proceedings and conferred qualifications.
The ceremony took place at the Palace Road auditorium rather than on the university campus. Its programme included the formal declaration opening the convocation, conferment of degrees and medals, addresses by the invited speakers and the Chancellor, and the formal dissolution of proceedings.