KSLU tells Karnataka High Court it has introduced 1% reservation for transgender law students

The Karnataka High Court on Monday took note of Karnataka State Law University's (KSLU) decision to provide 1% horizontal reservation for transgender persons and to relax the eligibility criteria to 40% marks for admission to its three-year LL.B courses.

A Division Bench of Justice Anu Sivaraman and Justice TP Vivekananda was informed of the development.

The case arose from a plea filed by transgender candidate Mugil Anbu Vasantha challenging the admission policy of National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore, which falls under the aegis of KSLU.

On December 16, 2024, the High Court partly allowed the plea, holding that NLSIU's existing admission and financial aid policies did not adequately ensure equality of opportunity for transgender persons. The Court had then directed NLSIU to formulate a transgender reservation and financial aid policy before commencement of the next academic year's admission process. In the interim, NLSIU was directed to provide 0.5% reservation along with fee waiver for transgender candidates.

NLSIU subsequently challenged the order in appeal.

Counsel appearing for KSLU on Monday placed on record an admission notification dated September 16 and submitted that it specifically provides for 1% reservation for transgender persons and lowering of the eligibility criteria to 40% marks for the three-year LL.B. course. It was submitted that these provisions were incorporated pursuant to a special government order dated September 15.

Vasantha, who appeared in person, submitted that the last date for submission of applications was the following day and, therefore, eligible transgender candidates would not have sufficient time to submit their applications under the newly notified reservation provision.

The Additional Advocate General, along with counsel for KSLU, submitted that the reservation could only be implemented as horizontal reservation in accordance with law.

The Court noted that the government order specifically provided that the inclusion of the reservation in the admission notification would be subject to further orders of the Court and guidelines to be framed in the matter.

The Bench further said that the present proceedings arose from an appeal preferred by NLSIU, in which an interim direction had already been issued to keep one seat reserved for the first respondent Mugil Anbu Vasantha. It also noted that the Mugil Anbu Vasantha's application had already been entertained by KSLU.

"In view of the fact that this order is being passed in an appeal preferred by the NLSIU, where there is already an interim direction issued that a seat will be kept reserved for the first respondent and in view of the fact that the first respondent's application is already entertained by the KSLU," it said.

The Bench held that the further directions sought by the first respondent could not be granted in the present writ appeal. Such relief would have to be agitated in appropriate proceedings, it said.

The matter has been posted to September 29.

During the hearing of the case on November 18, 2025, the High Court sought the assistance of the Additional Advocate General and also called for the State's position and policies concerning transgender reservation. The Karnataka State Law University (KSLU) was subsequently impleaded as a party to the proceedings.

During the hearing on July 20, 2026, the Additional Advocate General submitted that the Women and Child Welfare Department had collected data through a survey regarding reservation to be provided to transgender persons in educational institutions in Karnataka.

The State informed the Court that it would consider the issue and pass appropriate orders regarding reservation for transgender persons in education, keeping in view the 1% horizontal reservation already provided to transgender persons in employment.

[Read order]