NLSIU calls off 34th convocation citing ‘unavoidable circumstances’; to award degrees in absentia

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) has said it will not be able to hold its 34th Annual Convocation on September 12, 2026, citing “unavoidable circumstances”. The university informed graduating students about the decision in a notice issued today. The university had earlier communicated on August 3 that September 12 had been proposed as the date for the annual convocation. However, in its latest communication, NLSIU said that despite its “collective best efforts”, it is unable to hold the 34th Annual Convocation.

“All graduating students will be conferred their degrees in absentia after due approvals by the Governing Bodies,” the university said.

NLSIU added that graduating students would have the option of receiving their certificates by courier or collecting them from the campus. The university said it would share a new form and details of the process with all graduating students later on Thursday so that they can indicate their preferred option.

The development comes amid opposition from NLSIU students and alumni to CJI Surya Kant attending the university’s convocation. The notice, issued by the Registrar, does not mention details about the circumstances that led to the decision. The development comes amid reactions from members of the NLSIU community and others concerning the proposed graduation ceremony.

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Saurav Das, in a post on X, suggested that the graduating batch could organise its own graduation ceremony. “I hope the NLSIU graduating batch organises its own graduation ceremony and invites the most honourable guest to felicitate them. Do it the Gen-Z way!” Das said. NLSIU's latest notice, however, does not refer to Das's post or provide any indication that students will organise an alternative ceremony.

The university said the conferral of degrees would take place in absentia, subject to the required approvals from its Governing Bodies. Graduating students will therefore not have to wait for the physical convocation to receive their degrees, although the process for receiving their certificates will depend on the option they select.

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Students who choose courier delivery will receive their certificates through the mode arranged by the university, while those opting for collection will be able to collect them from the NLSIU campus.

The university has asked graduating students to await the new form and instructions on how to communicate their preferred certificate-delivery option.