In a bid to maintain the integrity and excellence of legal education, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has called upon vice-chancellors and higher education departments nationwide for heightened cooperation.
Secretary Srimanto Sen of the BCI emphasised the council’s dedication to preserving the quality of legal education, stating, ‘It is regrettable to note that over 300 NOCs were issued despite our firm resolution in 2015.’
The circular, dated April 15, highlighted the urgent need for stricter regulatory measures to combat the unchecked growth of law colleges. Sen stressed the importance of adherence to guidelines, including financial viability and regulatory compliance, in the issuance of NOCs.
While BCI plays a regulatory role, Sen emphasised the pivotal roles of state governments and universities in maintaining educational standards. He called for collaborative efforts to address the proliferation of substandard law colleges.
The representation outlined the three crucial stages in establishing a law college: obtaining an NOC, university affiliation, and BCI approval. Sen stressed the importance of meticulous adherence to these stages to mitigate the spread of substandard institutions.
‘We appeal to universities and state education ministries to join hands with BCI in upholding the sanctity and quality of legal education in India,’ Sen concluded, underlining the necessity of collective action to safeguard the future of legal education.
