The Bar Council of India’s proposal to raise the enrolment fee for lawyers from Rs 750 to Rs 25,000 has faced backlash, with critics arguing it infringes on constitutional rights and creates financial barriers for underprivileged aspirants. Legal professionals demand transparency and accountability while advocating for a more gradual fee adjustment or free enrolment options.
New Delhi: The Bar Council of India’s (BCI) recent move to seek Supreme Court approval for increasing the enrolment fee for lawyers from Rs 750 to Rs 25,000 has sparked intense criticism within the legal community. Many fear this sharp rise could create a financial barrier for aspiring lawyers, particularly those from low-income families.
Critics argue the proposal violates constitutional principles like the right to equality (Article 14) and the right to practice a profession (Article 19(1)(g)).
The BCI, a statutory body under the Advocates Act of 1961, regulates legal education and practice in India. It cited inadequate funding under the current fee structure as the reason for the proposed hike. According to the BCI, the Rs 750 fee is insufficient to support activities like infrastructure maintenance, legal aid, and regulation of the profession.
In July 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the BCI could not charge more than the prescribed fee under the 1961 law. However, in its latest plea, the council has requested the apex court to direct the government to amend the law to revise the fee.
Prominent lawyers have strongly opposed the proposal. Advocate Prashant Bhushan called it “unreasonable”, saying,
“Young lawyers should not have to pay an exorbitant amount to get enrolled. There is no reason for such a high fee, except to fund corruption.”
Senior advocate Ranji Thomas warned that the proposed hike could “deprive aspiring lawyers from underprivileged backgrounds” of entering the profession. Sanjoy Ghose added that such an increase would make the legal field “more oligarchic and less meritocratic”, forcing many law graduates to seek financial support from their families.
Critics have also demanded greater accountability from the BCI. Gopal Sankaranarayanan emphasized,
“The BCI must provide proper audited accounts and transparency about how funds from lakhs of lawyers have been used. Where is the money from college inspections, bridge courses, and bar exams going?”
Advocate Nizam Pasha questioned the BCI’s approach of filing a plea in court instead of seeking legislative amendments, stating,
“Courts cannot issue a mandamus to the executive or Parliament on legislative policy matters.”
Many legal experts have called for a more gradual and reasonable revision of fees. While Abhik Chimni advocated for a phased approach, Kamlesh Kumar Mishra argued for free enrolment, urging the BCI to prioritize reforms in legal education and governance over exorbitant fee hikes.
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