In a decisive move to uphold the standards of legal education in India, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has declared that LLM degrees obtained through online, distance, blended, or hybrid modes will no longer be recognized. This sweeping directive was issued in response to the increasing proliferation of unauthorized legal education programs operating outside the ambit of BCI approval.
Key Directives from BCI:
- Face-to-Face Learning Mandatory:
LLM courses must be conducted solely in full-time, in-person classroom settings. Any deviation without prior approval from the BCI stands prohibited. - Banned Titles:
Institutions are barred from offering or advertising diploma-style courses under titles like LLM (Professional), Executive LLM, or MSc in Law unless explicitly approved by the BCI. - Legal Violations:
Institutions running such unapproved courses are in direct violation of the Advocates Act, 1961, BCI Legal Education Rules, and several Supreme Court rulings, notably Vinit Garg and Ors. Vs. University Grants Commission and Ors., MANU/SC/1181/2019, and Orissa Lift Irrigation Corp. Ltd. and Ors. Vs. Rabi Sankar Patro and Ors., MANU/SC/1718/2017. - Non-Recognition Consequences:
Degrees from these unauthorized programs will not be valid for academic positions, UGC-NET eligibility, Ph.D. admissions, or recruitment in judicial services. Such qualifications will be treated as null and void ab initio.
Enforcement and Legal Action:
The BCI has issued show cause notices to various institutions involved in offering these unapproved courses and warned of potential legal proceedings, including contempt charges.
BCI’s Stand:
Describing legal education as a “regulated professional discipline,” the Bar Council emphasized the critical importance of maintaining the integrity and credibility of legal qualifications. Institutions have been strongly urged to immediately discontinue such programs and submit compliance reports to the BCI.
Conclusion:
This move marks a significant shift in regulating legal education in India, ensuring that the profession retains its rigorous standards. Students and institutions alike are advised to align strictly with BCI guidelines to avoid invalidation of degrees and potential legal repercussions.
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