After Kerala High Court push, BCI approves 2 additional seats for transgender students in law colleges

The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Thursday informed the High Court that it has given its interim approval for the Kerala government's proposal to create two supernumerary posts for transgender students in all law colleges in the State [Esai Clara v. State of Kerala & Ors.]..The move comes following an order passed by the Court on October 24 directing the BCI to approve the Kerala government's request in this regard as final approval for creating new seats rests with the General Council of the BCI. The government had submitted its proposal in August 6.Justice VG Arun today observed that it was heartening to note that the BCI has taken the necessary action pursuant to the Court's directions. "It is heartening to note that pursuant to this Court’s order dated 24.10.2025, the Bar Council of India, in exercise of its powers concerning Standards of Legal Education and in compliance of the Court’s direction, has granted interim approval to the Government of Kerala’s proposal for two Supernumerary seats in the three year LLB Degree Course as well as the Five Year Integrated LLB Programme in each Law College in Kerala for the Transgender Category for Academic Year 2025-26," the Court recorded in its order. .The order was passed on a petition filed by a transgender woman who applied for admission to the integrated five-year LLB Course through the Kerala Law Entrance Examination (KLEE) 2025.Though she qualified and was included in the rank list, she was denied admission to the Kozhikode Government Law College since no separate category or seat existed for transgender candidates in the central allotment list issued by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE).The petitioner stated that this denial violated her fundamental rights as well as the Supreme Court's directions in the NALSA judgment and the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.The petitioner thus urged the Court to direct the concerned authorities to grant her admission for the year 2025-2026 under the transgender reservation category. She also sought the implementation of such reservation for transgender persons in all government law colleges across the State and other educational institutions under the government's control..After being informed about the BCI's decision today, the petitioner's counsel submitted that they would implead all law colleges and universities in the State in the matter as until now it had only added the University of Calicut as a party. The Court will take up the matter again tomorrow, November 7, to issue directions to the universities."Let this be helpful to others also," Justice VG Arun orally remarked. .Advocates Raghul Sudheesh, Unnikrishnan S Thandayaan, Umadevi M, Ambily T Venu and J Lakshmi appeared for the petitioner.Standing Counsel Rajit appeared for BCI.State Attorney N Manoj Kumar and Senior Government Pleader PG Pramod represented the State..[Read Order].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.