NLSIU Reschedules 34th Convocation to October 17 with CJI Surya Kant to Preside
The National Law School of India University will hold its 34th annual convocation on October 17, following an earlier cancellation due to student protests.
News Desk · October 9, 2026 · 1 min read
The National Law School of India University has officially rescheduled its 34th annual convocation for October 17, after calling off the original September ceremony amidst student opposition. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who serves as the university's chancellor, will preside over the rescheduled event.
The formal ceremony is scheduled to commence at 11 am at the Jnana Jyothi Auditorium on Palace Road in Bengaluru. Veteran theatre and film personality Arundhati Nag will deliver the convocation address as the chief guest, while Vice-Chancellor Sudhir Krishnaswamy will present the annual report.
The rescheduling follows an administrative decision taken on August 27 to scrap the initial September 12 event due to unavoidable circumstances. That cancellation occurred after over 700 students and alumni signed a letter opposing the participation of the Chief Justice and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
The student agitation at the Bengaluru campus emerged in solidarity with students at the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research in Hyderabad. NALSAR students had earlier raised objections against the Chief Justice over remarks made during Supreme Court proceedings concerning protests against NEET examination irregularities.
The friction intensified when the Bar Council of India issued a directive to halt the professional enrolment of NALSAR's graduating cohort. Although that regulatory order was withdrawn within hours, NLSIU students maintained their stance against the presence of both officials until subsequent administrative consultations were held.
Following discussions between the judiciary head and student representatives, the university executive council and general council cleared the revised schedule on September 9. Graduating students subsequently registered majority support for participating in the formal ceremony under the revised format.
Security arrangements and seating protocols at the Jnana Jyothi Auditorium are being finalized by the university administration ahead of the October 17 proceedings. Degrees will be formally conferred upon the graduating class of 2026 during the morning session.
