Bar Council of India mandates criminal background checks, biometric attendance, installing of CCTVs in all law institutes: Official notice here

NEW DELHI: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a comprehensive notification mandating several new regulatory measures aimed at ensuring integrity and transparency in the legal profession. The notification applies to all Centers of Legal Education (CLEs), including universities and law colleges, and introduces the implementation of criminal background checks, alongside declarations regarding academic pursuits, employment status, and compliance with attendance requirements.
According to the BCI's notice, the objective of implementing these measures is to uphold the ethical standards of the legal profession by ensuring that law students entering the field maintain the highest levels of honesty and accountability.
Criminal background checks for law students
One of the key provisions of the BCI’s notification is the requirement for law students to submit detailed declarations regarding any ongoing or past criminal cases. The BCI mandates that students must disclose any involvement in criminal activities, including FIRs, convictions, or acquittals, before they can be issued their final marksheets and degrees. The aim is to ensure that individuals with a clean criminal record are entering the legal profession. Failure to disclose such information may lead to disciplinary action, including the withholding of degrees.
Simultaneous degree programs and academic integrity
In accordance with Chapter II, Rule 6 of the Rules of Legal Education (2008), law students are prohibited from pursuing more than one regular degree program at the same time. The BCI has reiterated that students must declare they are not enrolled in any other regular academic program while pursuing their LL.B. degree. This rule ensures that students focus entirely on their legal education without distractions from other academic engagements. Any violation of this rule will result in students not receiving their final marksheets or degrees.
Employment status and attendance compliance
The notification also addresses students’ employment status during their legal education. Students are required to declare that they have not engaged in any employment, service, or vocation while pursuing their LL.B., unless they had obtained a valid No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer. Additionally, CLEs must ensure that students meet the attendance requirements as outlined in Rule 12 of the BCI Rules of Legal Education. Employment cases must be reported to the BCI for approval, and non-compliance may result in the withholding of students' degrees and marksheets.
Biometric attendance and CCTV surveillance
To ensure accurate monitoring of student attendance, the BCI has instructed all CLEs to install biometric attendance systems. These systems will enable institutions to track attendance in a transparent and reliable manner. Furthermore, CLEs are required to install CCTV cameras in classrooms and other key areas of the institution. Recordings from these cameras must be preserved for one year and can be used for any necessary verification or investigations related to student attendance and conduct.
Check the official notice below

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has emphasised that all Centres of Legal Education (CLEs) must strictly and immediately comply with the newly implemented regulations. Failure to enforce these directives will result in severe disciplinary action, including possible de-recognition or withdrawal of affiliation from the BCI.