CJI Surya Kant attended the 34th Convocation ceremony after uncertainty over his participation following protests by a section of NLSIU students and alumni earlier this year.

The Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant on Saturday delivered the Presidential Address, in his capacity as the Chancellor of National Law School of India University, Bengaluru. 

The 34th Annual Convocation of the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru was held on Saturday, 17 October 2026 at Jnana Jyoti Auditorium.

CJI Kant shared with the students he often ruminated on how the legal profession is not for the faint of heart. "It demands not only the mastery of statutes and precedent but also the courage to defend what is just, and the humility to listen to voices that are often unheard. This intellectual independence also calls for fairness: hearing before judging, distinguishing a person from a position and disagreeing without denying another person’s dignity," he told the students.

He told the graduating students they would soon discover that the law in its living form, is not static as it breathes and evolves through the minds and actions of those who practice it. The cases you argue, the contracts you draft, the advice you give, and the judgments you write will all contribute to the larger architecture of justice in our nation, he told the students.

"Law school is a crucible where ideas collide, where convictions are tested, and where the very essence of dialogue is forged. The purpose of a legal education extends beyond learning the principles of criminal or constitutional law; it rests in the invigorating experience of encountering those who see the world differently than we do," the CJI said.

The CJI also gave credit to the parents of the graduating class, whose love, sacrifice and unwavering belief have carried these graduates to this pinnacle of achievement.

In conclusion the CJI told the graduates that the nation looks to them- not just as practitioners of law but as heralds of hope. 

The Chief Guest, Arundhati Nag, Co-Founder & Artistic Advisor at Ranga Shankara and a Padma Shri & Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, delivered the Convocation Address.

Earlier this month, National Law School of India University (NLSIU) had officially confirmed that Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will attend its convocation ceremony for the outgoing batch on October 17 and preside over the convocation in his capacity as the Chancellor of NLSIU.

The decision assumed significance as hundreds of NLSIU students and alumni had in August opposed CJI Kant attending their convocation in support of their counterparts from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad over the CJI's comments on the NEET Paper Leak protests.

NLSIU students had also opposed Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra attending their convocation. The CJI is the university’s chancellor and Bar Council chairman is chairman of the general council. It is a norm that CJI attends NLSIU convocation every year.

In a statement signed by 165 graduating students, they had maintained, “Inviting persons in high office to confer degrees on students towards whom they had publicly expressed disdain and condescension is offensive, humiliating and a mockery of students and their struggles.” The students and alumni condemned the now-withdrawn BCI order to halt the enrolment of students of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and expressed their solidarity with the students at NALSAR, who they said have shown exemplary courage and moral conviction in speaking truth to power.

"We are aware that the BCI has closed all proceedings against NALSAR. However, the fact that such unconstitutional and illegal "proceedings" can be initiated by a statutory body against students and faculty members of a public university in the first place does not alter the nature or the larger impact of such actions or dilute the responsibility of the Chairman and the BCI," the statement signed by 165 graduating students of the Class of 2026, 409 current students and 128 alumni.

Later, the University, on August 27, had announced the cancellation of the convocation, citing "unavoidable circumstances."

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