YR Sadashiva Reddy, Co-Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), has called for the immediate resignation of BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, citing alleged irregularities in appointments, diversion of Council funds, financial dealings with law colleges, and other governance issues. Mishra has dismissed the allegations as 'baseless'.
The Bar Council of India initially directed state bar councils not to enrol 2026 NALSAR University of Law graduates due to alleged student protests against the CJI's convocation participation. However, following widespread social media criticism, the BCI reversed its decision, allowing students to enrol while an inquiry into the instigators continues.
The Supreme Court has directed State Bar Councils to co-opt two women members, either former High Court judges or senior women advocates, to ensure greater gender representation. This move reinforces earlier directives for 30% women's representation and aims to dismantle the perception of Bar Councils as "men's clubs", promoting objectivity and transparency in their functioning.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant sharply criticised the Bar Council of India (BCI) for its 'uncalled for' interference in a protest by NALSAR University of Law students, asserting that students have a right to protest and that the matter was a 'dialogue between students and me'. The BCI had initially ordered that 2026 NALSAR graduates not be enrolled as advocates, an order it later reversed.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Bar Council of India (BCI) lacks the statutory authority to regulate the conduct of law students. The court clarified that disciplinary actions against students fall under the purview of their respective educational institutions, setting aside BCI notifications issued during a controversy involving NALSAR University students.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has strongly criticised the Faizabad Bar Association's resolution to prevent advocates from representing those accused in the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, calling the move 'unethical and unlawful' and a violation of constitutional principles and professional ethics.
The Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a re-conduct of the NEET-PG 2026 exam, imposing a cost on the petitioner and criticising the advocate for misusing the legal process and soliciting cases on social media. The court noted that the petitioners were not affected by the exam disruption they cited.
The Allahabad High Court has barred four advocates from entering any court premises in Lucknow and ordered a confidential inquiry by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) into their background and activities following an alleged assault on a litigant and Delhi lawyers.
The Students and Alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru have opposed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra attending the upcoming convocation of the varsity.
Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has issued an apology to law students, particularly those from NALSAR, for any hurt caused by the recent controversy surrounding their convocation and enrolment, urging them to make independent decisions.
Shedding its opposition, the Bar Council of India (BCI) on Wednesday took a significant decision to permit foreign lawyers and law firms to practise in areas such as foreign law, international legal issues and arbitration matters, saying that the legal fraternity here may be left behind if it sleeps over the matter.
The BJP has criticised Mamata Banerjee's appearance in the Calcutta High Court as an advocate, calling it a political stunt. The Bar Council of India has requested a report on her enrolment and practice status, leading to a debate over her legal credentials and the norms governing legal practice.
The Supreme Court Bar Association has expressed deep concern over an Andhra Pradesh High Court judge reportedly sending a young advocate to judicial custody for a procedural lapse, urging the Chief Justice of India to take cognisance of the incident.
A report by Scholars at Risk, 'Free to Think 2026', states that academic freedom in India is "severely restricted" due to increasing government influence over higher education, university governance, and curbs on student expression. India is listed among six countries in this category, with its Academic Freedom Index score sharply declining. The report cites instances of faculty dismissals, event cancellations, and pressure on student protests, highlighting the alleged use of the UGC as a vehicle for state influence.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has implemented a stringent Safeguarding Code of Conduct for athletes and officials participating in the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The code prohibits inappropriate relationships, degrading language, and harassment, with violations leading to severe penalties including suspension. It also addresses social media use and places special emphasis on protecting minor athletes.
India has clarified its policy regarding participation in the 2027 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in Pakistan, stating decisions will align with national sports policies and international governing bodies. While bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan remain suspended, Indian athletes are permitted to compete in multilateral events. The government also aims to simplify visa processes to position India as a global sports hosting destination.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has approved significant constitutional changes to align with the National Sports Governance Act (NSGA).
The petitioner, Sister Teena Jose, also sought a declaration that religious priesthood was not a profession and that she, a religious nun, should be allowed to enrol.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has approved significant constitutional changes to align with the National Sports Governance Act (NSGA), allowing for longer tenures for office-bearers and revising age limits. These amendments, which have received preliminary approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), also impact the structure of the Executive Council and set the stage for upcoming elections, including those for the Athletes' Commission.
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has announced Dr C S Pramesh, director of Tata Memorial Hospital, as the new chief guest for its 86th Convocation on August 22, replacing Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, who was unavailable due to a full calendar.
Non-resident Indians are increasingly investing in luxury homes in India, driven by geopolitical uncertainties, particularly the Iran war. This trend is observed across major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and the National Capital Region, with developers noting a significant rise in NRI pre-sales. While some see it as a temporary shift, others believe India is becoming a stable, long-term investment destination for NRIs, especially those from West Asia.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra has formally complained to the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, alleging that senior Muslim IAS and IPS officers in West Bengal were deliberately excluded from official events attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Moitra claims these officers were sidelined due to their religion, a pattern she describes as discriminatory and potentially damaging to minority confidence in security establishments.
The Bar Council of India is pondering action over the controversial statements made by the defence counsel of the accused in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape case.
The Supreme Court of India has issued a strong warning against the use of "non-existent, fake, and hallucinated" judgements generated by artificial intelligence (AI), likening it to "the release of methyl Isocyanate in the province of law and justice: invisible, insidious, and catastrophic." The court set aside an NCLT verdict that relied on such AI-generated precedents.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% transaction fee on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments exceeding Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15, marking the end of nearly six years of free service. Person-to-person transfers and small-value transactions below Rs 2,000 remain free. The new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is capped at Rs 300 for transactions above Rs 75,000, with differentiated rates for essential sectors and investments, and safeguards to prevent costs from being passed to consumers.
'It has always been viewed as a hedge against inflation.'
India's gold demand saw a 6 per cent year-on-year decline in the April-June quarter of 2026, reaching 131.4 tonnes, primarily due to subdued seasonal sales, increased Customs duty, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to reduce gold purchases, according to a World Gold Council report.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends nearly six years of fully free UPI payments, though person-to-person (P2P) transfers and small P2M payments remain free. The charges aim to bolster investment in UPI infrastructure, with specific exemptions and caps for essential sectors.
BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said in a letter that sparing such "rowdy elements" is tarnishing the image of the institution and it is the inaction and tolerance of bar bodies that encourage these advocates, which would ultimately result in "contempt proceedings by the high courts or Supreme Court".
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated that while artificial intelligence (AI) can augment judicial reasoning, it cannot substitute judicial conscience, and a permanent apex body is proposed to supervise AI adoption and accountability within the judiciary.
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the Twisha Sharma 'dowry' death case, citing alleged institutional bias and procedural discrepancies. The case involves the death of actor-model Twisha Sharma, who was found dead at her marital home, leading to an FIR against her husband and mother-in-law for alleged dowry harassment.
The SCBA said Kishore's "reprehensible, disorderly and intemperate behaviour" amounted to "a direct assault on judicial independence" and "a serious breach of professional ethics, decorum and the dignity of the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant likened some unemployed youngsters to cockroaches, saying they become media, social media, and RTI activists and attack the system. The comments were made while hearing a petition from a lawyer seeking senior advocate designation.
AIFF and ISL clubs have reached a landmark agreement that hands commercial rights to clubs while the federation retains regulatory control, paving the way for a club-led Indian Super League from the 2026-27 season.
Rajasthan's Leader of Opposition, Tika Ram Jully, has accused the state government of a 'double game' in the Adarsh Credit Cooperative Society scam, alleging a conflict of interest involving the Additional Advocate General.
Nearly two-thirds (63.7 per cent) said they had, at some stage, found the profession discouraging.
The NDA government has gradually nuanced its position on the issue of demographic challenge.
Leading Indian jewellery bodies, including the All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) and Malabar Gold & Diamonds, have expressed support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to reduce gold imports and are advocating for enhancements to the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) to unlock India's vast idle gold reserves.
Michel Danino, one of the NCERT academics previously barred by the Supreme Court over a controversial chapter on the judiciary, maintains the content was 'correct' and defends its inclusion in the textbook.
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a plea challenging the CBSE's policy mandating the study of three languages, including two native Indian languages, for Class 9 students starting July 1. The court has sought responses from the Centre, CBSE, and NCERT and will hear the matter in July.
