BCI extends law college affiliation deadline for fourth time to August 31

The Bar Council of India (BCI), for the fourth time, has extended the deadline for existing Centres of Legal Education (CLEs) to submit applications for extension of approval of affiliation for the 2026-27 academic session.

August 31, 2026 has now been set as the cut-off date. The announcement was made in a circular issued by BCI on August 6. The circular mentions that the deadline was originally fixed at December 31, 2025 before being pushed to January 16, 2026, then to March 5, 2026, and finally to July 31.

The BCI stated that immediate closure of the portal risked leaving CLEs that already hold the required documents unable to file complete applications, which could affect admissions for 2026-27.

As reported by Bar & Bench, several National Law Universities remained off the BCI's approved list even after the July 31 deadline lapsed.

Since then, Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Nava Raipur and National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack have secured renewals.

One or more courses at National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru; National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal; Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Tiruchirappalli and Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar remain without BCI approval.

Institutions that already possess all mandatory documents, including a valid affiliation or continuation-of-affiliation order, but have been unable to complete the online submission for technical or administrative reasons, may now furnish a written undertaking. This must be accompanied by self-attested copies of the documents for verification, along with a commitment to finally submit the application by August 31. Any approval granted on this basis will remain subject to verification, scrutiny and inspection by the BCI.

Applications filed during the extended period must carry the applicable late fee, except where a university running a course directly through its own department or faculty has already paid the fee within the earlier deadline.

The extension covers only continuation or renewal of already sanctioned courses, sections and intake. It does not apply to new Centres of Legal Education, new courses, additional sections, enhanced intake or new campuses.

The BCI reiterated that submission of an application, payment of fees or furnishing of an undertaking will not by itself amount to approval or confer any right to admit students. It also cautioned that failure to finally submit the application by August 31, or discovery of any false or fabricated document, will render the approval liable to withdrawal. The Council added that the portal will close thereafter and that no further extension will "ordinarily" be granted.