BCI to set up panel led by ex-CJI to examine equivalency between one-year and two-year LLM

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has resolved to constitute a high-level committee headed by a former Chief Justice of India (CJI) to review and recommend a framework for equivalency between one-year and two-year LLM degrees. .Academicians from National Law Universities, Central and State universities, private law schools and affiliated law colleges will also be a part of the committee. “Its mandate will include reviewing and recommending frameworks for equivalency between one-year and two-year LL.M. degrees, designing appropriate structures for pedagogical training, harmonizing postgraduate curricula, and identifying mechanisms to ensure nationwide compliance with minimum academic and teaching standards,” the BCI said in a press release.The committee will be constituted at the earliest, the bar body stated.“The High-Level Committee constituted by Bar Council of India shall be chaired by a former Chief Justice of India and the Co-Convenor would be a noted academician of the country. The Bar Council of India is likely to constitute the Committee at the earliest.”.According to the BCI, the decision was taken on April 22 after a four-hour-long joint stakeholder consultation. The meeting was held pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court. The apex court is hearing a challenge to the Bar Council of India Legal Education (Post-Graduate, Doctoral, Executive, Vocational, Clinical and other Continuing Education) Rules, 2020. The rules say that one year LLM degree obtained from any foreign university would not be treated as equivalent to an Indian LL.M degree for academic or teaching purposes, unless the individual completes one year of teaching experience as a visiting or clinical faculty member. Several petitions have been filed before the top court challenging the rule and raising questions not only about foreign degrees but also about the recognition and academic status of the one-year LLM offered within India. After Supreme Court’s directions, the BCI had held a meeting with stakeholders on March 7, 2021 and proposed that one-year LLM would not be considered equal to a two-year LLM for teaching jobs unless the candidate completes a six-month teacher training program. For higher positions like Associate Professor or Professor, an extra six months of training was suggested, even for those with a PhD, the BCI had said. .However, on February 11, 2025, the apex court reviewed this decision and said further deliberation was warranted. Therefore, it ordered the BCI to hold another meeting to reconsider and resolve the matter. .[Read BCI Press Release]