Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026 21:30 [IST]
Last Update: Tuesday, Aug 11, 2026 15:48 [IST]
GANGTOK,:
Sikkim National Law University (SNLU), Gangtok has received recognition from
the Bar Council of India (BCI) to confer law degrees, the university said on
Monday.
The
recognition has been granted under Section 7(1)(i) of the Advocates Act, 1961,
for the purpose of conferring degrees in law.
The
BCI has also approved SNLU's five-year BA LLB (Hons) integrated degree
programme for the academic session 2026-27, with an approved intake of two
sections of 60 students each.
The
decision was taken after the Standing Committee of the Legal Education
Committee of the BCI considered the inspection report submitted by its
inspection team at a meeting held on August 1, the university said.
The
Centre of Legal Education (CLE) of SNLU had applied to the BCI for recognition
under Section 7(1)(i) of the Advocates Act and fresh approval to conduct the
five-year BA LLB (Hons) programme for 2026-27.
As
part of the process, BCI officials conducted an online inspection of the
university on July 12.
The
university said the BCI, after considering the inspection report and other relevant
aspects of the law programme, granted recognition to SNLU. The BA LLB (Hons)
programme with an intake of two sections of 60 students each has also been
regularised for the academic session 2025-26 and approved for 2026-27.
SNLU
was established in Gangtok as a statutory university under the Sikkim National
Law University Act, 2018.
The
BCI recognition applies to law degrees awarded through the approved programme,
intake, campus and mode specified in its communication and is subject to
compliance with the continuing standards and requirements prescribed by the
council, the university said.
SNLU
is currently conducting its five-year BA LLB and LL.M programmes and has also
commenced its PhD programme from the current academic session.
“The
recognition assumes particular significance as concerns had earlier been raised
by various stakeholders through the print media regarding the status of BCI
approval and the need for clear communication of the University's recognition
status to students and other stakeholders. The latest decision of the Bar
Council of India provides formal clarity on the recognition of the University's
B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme,” the university said.
