Student intake cuts in law colleges to be scrapped if they follow Mumbai University timelines: Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court recently approved a structured, step-by-step programme permitting over 15 law colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai to rectify faculty shortages and secure full student intake capacity for the 2026–27 academic session. [Shri Hari Educational Trust v. University of Mumbai & Ors]

Over 15 law colleges had approached the High Court challenging notices and communications issued by the University of Mumbai. These colleges raised a common grievance: last‑minute University action treating ‘non‑approval’ of teachers and principals as a deficiency and using that to cut seats by 50% and impose heavy fines just before the 2026–27 admission cycle. 

After the first hearing in the matter, law colleges agreed to pay penalties “under protest” to avoid missing the Bar Council of India's (BCI) July 31 portal deadline. 

This was followed by personal meetings between University officials and college management representatives. The University presented a chart detailing the specific deficiencies for each college alongside a proposed recruitment roadmap.

A Bench of Justices RI Chagla and Farhan P Dubash on August 7 held that if the colleges successfully comply with the revised recruitment schedule, there will be no reduction in their sanctioned intake capacity for 2026–27. 

Management bodies of the law colleges agreed to submit written undertakings by August 12, 2026, to abide strictly by the court-approved schedule. The Court clarified that failure to strictly adhere to the timeline will result in the automatic revival of the University’s de-affiliation orders.

After extensive deliberations with the law colleges, the High Court was given a mutually agreed timeline for faculty recruitment. 

• By August 10, colleges have to submit draft advertisements for recruitment to the University, as per the 1:40 teacher student ratio

• By August 13, Mumbai University is to grant approval for draft advertisements.

• By August 17–18, advertisements have to be published in newspapers (15 days' notice) for teachers.

• By September 2-10, the selection committee has to interview candidates. 

• By September 22, the selection committee has to submit the report to the University.

• By September 30, the University has to formally grant approval to the appointed Principals and Assistant Professors.  

The Court directed that upon submission of the undertaking by the law college, the University shall issue a fresh communication within one working day clarifying that prior intake restrictions stand lifted for 2026–27. 

It also directed the BCI not to take adverse action against the University for granting affiliation to colleges complying with the order.

Senior Advocate Mihir Desai, along with Advocates Vijay Thorat, Pooja Thorat, Shailendra Pendse, Amar Bodke, CS Lamba, Md Shamsher Ali, Bhavik Lokhande, Dhyey Bhavsar, Ayesha Qureshi, Chetan Alai, Sanskruti Yagnik, Rishabh N Chaurasia, Shantanu Rakate and Ajinkya Desai appeared for the law colleges.

Senior Advocate Anil Anturkar with Advocates Rui Rodrigues, Jainendra Sheth and Mohd Monis appeared for the University. 

Additional government pleaders RA Solunke, Kavita Solunke and Vaishali Nimbalkar appeared for State. 

Advocates Prasad Gajbhiye and Rutuja Joshi appeared for BCI.

[Read order]