The Bar Council of India (BCI) has abolished the upper age limit for admission to three-year and five-year LLB programmes, allowing candidates to pursue law degrees regardless of age. Following the decision, the Supreme Court on Friday disposed of a petition challenging the restrictions imposed under the Rules of Legal Education, 2008.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana closed the proceedings after being informed that the BCI’s General Council had formally resolved to withdraw the age-related eligibility conditions.
Advocate Radhika Gautam, representing the BCI, conveyed the decision to the court. The bench consequently held that the petition had become infructuous in light of the subsequent resolution.
Challenge to the BCI’s Age Restrictions
The proceedings arose from a petition filed by Rishabh Duggal against a 2016 circular issued by the BCI, which reinstated Clause 28 of Schedule III of the Rules of Legal Education, 2008.
Under the provision, general-category applicants seeking admission to five-year integrated law programmes faced an upper age limit of 20 years. Candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and backward communities were permitted to apply until the age of 22.
The restrictions had been the subject of litigation for several years. In March 2017, the Supreme Court stayed the BCI’s decision prescribing maximum admission ages of 22 years for five-year LLB courses and 45 years for three-year law programmes.
Supreme Court Had Sought Clarification
During an earlier hearing on September 25, the Supreme Court directed the BCI to clarify whether it was prepared to withdraw the maximum age requirement for admission to five-year integrated law courses.
The council subsequently placed its General Council’s resolution before the court, confirming that the age restrictions had been withdrawn.
With the regulatory body having removed the disputed conditions, the bench found no further reason to continue adjudicating the challenge and disposed of the petition as infructuous.
The BCI’s decision removes the upper-age eligibility barrier for both three-year and five-year LLB programmes.
