BCI Announces Three-Year Ban on New Law Colleges Nationwide, Aimed at Preventing Commercialisation of Education
BCI Announces Three-Year Ban on New Law Colleges Nationwide, Aimed at Preventing Commercialisation of Education
On Wednesday, the Bar Council of India (BCI) took a major step related to new law colleges. The Bar Council has banned the establishment of new law colleges nationwide for the upcoming three years (Three-Year Moratorium).
The Council has said that, during the period of this three-year moratorium, no new law colleges will be permitted to be established or approved anywhere in the country. Further, even the existing law colleges are not allowed to add any new classes, courses, or student groups without getting clear written permission from the BCI first.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has said that this step has been taken “to arrest the decline in quality across segments of legal education, evidenced by the unchecked mushrooming of substandard institutions, routine issuance of no objection certificates (NOCs) by state governments, and affiliations by universities without proper inspection.” The Bar Council further added that this big action is aimed at stopping the commercialisation of legal education, common cheating or dishonesty in academics, and the lack of enough qualified teachers.
The Bar Council said that currently there are approximately 200 law colleges in the country, and there are enough institutions. Now, the education department should focus on improving the quality of existing institutions, strengthening the system, and serving the public and the Constitution instead of adding more institutions. BCI says, “The focus must shift to consolidation, quality enhancement, and systemic strengthening in the interest of the public and in furtherance of constitutional commitments.”
The BCI said that, during the period of this moratorium, the council will carry out stricter checks and audits on existing law colleges. Also said, strict actions will be taken against the institutions that will not meet the required standards; actions may include closing or loss of their recognition and will discourage issuance of fresh NOCs or affiliations for new institutions or courses.