CJI Surya Kant at NLSIU Convocation: Highlights of the Ceremony

On 17th October, 2026, National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore conducted its 34th Convocation. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, in his capacity as Chancellor, delivered the Presidential Address, wherein he spoke to graduating students about legal education, professional ethics, dialogue and public service. Since the event has been much discussed even before it happened, here is a look at the Ceremony highlights.  

Background: A Convocation Cancelled and Rescheduled

The NLSIU Convocation 2026 was originally scheduled for 12th September 2026. On 27th August, the university cancelled the convocation, citing "unavoidable circumstances". The cancellation followed student dissent over the proposed participation of the Chief Justice of India at the ceremony, due to the cockroach remark.  

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) later rescheduled the event, with the CJI presiding on 17 October.  

NLSIU Convocation 2026

The ceremony was organized at Jnana Jyoti Auditorium, Palace Road, Ambedkar Veedhi, Gandhi Nagar, Bengaluru. The convocation was presided over by the Chief Justice of India and Chancellor of the University, Hon’ble Justice Surya Kant, who conferred degrees on the graduates and delivered the Presidential Address during the event.

The Chief Guest of the event, Padma Shri & Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Ms. Arundhati Nag, Co-Founder of Ranga Shankara, delivered the Convocation Address and awarded the medals and prizes to the top performers across the academic programmes.

Karnataka State Chief Minister and Minister of Law, Shri D. K. Shivakumar, also addressed the gathering on the occasion.

Prof. (Dr.) Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice Chancellor of NLSIU, presented the Annual Report for the AY 2025-26. The graduating student address was delivered by Mr. Siddharth Kumar, who was the former Co-President of the Student Bar Association (SBA) at NLSIU.

Highlights of CJI's Address

CJI Surya Kant being the NLSIU Chancellor congratulated the graduating students and referred to the university as the "Harvard of the East", a description he said students like to use. He recalled the Old Academic Block, mentioning its corridors and staircases and, in a lighter vein, "quad parties" and "impromptu flash mobs" in the courtyard.  The Chief Justice said the legal profession "is not for the faint of heart". According to him, it requires mastery of statutes and precedent, the courage to defend what is just, and the humility to listen to voices that are often unheard. He said the law is not static and evolves through the minds and actions of those who practise it. The cases argued, contracts drafted, advice given and judgments written, he said, contribute to the "larger architecture of justice" in the country. 

The Chief Justice told the graduates that their pursuit of honesty will cement their professional reputation. He said there will be moments when compromise and expediency tempt, and others take shortcuts. In such moments, he said, the graduates should let the wisdom imparted at the university be their compass. 

The Chancellor paused to remember Miss Urvashi Krishnatra, a graduate of the L.L.B. programme and a member of the NLS family, who is no longer alive. He said she should have been present to receive her degree. On behalf of those present, he offered condolences to her family and friends. 

Students who chose to Skip NLSIU Convocation

According to news reports, 105 students skipped the ceremony. In 2025, only 17 students received their degrees in absentia. As per reports, he mass absence served as a boycotted protest against the invitation extended to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, who presided over the ceremony.