Supreme Court Seeks BCI’s Reply on Fresh Challenge to 3-Year Moratorium on New Law Colleges

The Supreme Court of India has issued notice to the Bar Council of India on a fresh petition challenging its August 2025 decision imposing a three-year moratorium on the opening of new law colleges.

The challenge arises from the Rules of Legal Education, Moratorium (Three-Year Moratorium), framed by the BCI to regulate legal education.

The plea, filed by Vocation Education Foundation, states that it attempted to apply for approval to start law courses months before the moratorium but could not do so due to the BCI’s failure to enable the online application process.

It contends that the blanket ban is arbitrary, disproportionate, violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21, and beyond the BCI’s powers under the Advocates Act, 1961. The matter is listed for hearing on January 30.

[Vocation Education Foundation v. Bar Council of India]