The Bar Council of India told the Supreme Court on Friday that it removed all upper-age limits for law degree admissions. This decision ends years of legal battles for many aspirants. The court disposed of the plea filed by Rishabh Duggal, as the council finally opened doors for all age groups.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it has withdrawn the upper-age restrictions for admission to three-year and five-year law degree programmes, paving the way for aspirants of all age groups to pursue legal education.
Taking note of the BCI's decision, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana disposed of the plea filed against the age restriction.
The BCI's Rules of Legal Education, 2008 had prescribed an upper age limit of 20 years for general-category candidates seeking admission to five-year integrated law courses, with a five-year relaxation for certain reserved categories. The rules also prescribed a 30-year upper limit for the three-year law course, with a similar relaxation.
The age restrictions have since been the subject of litigation for several years.
The BCI had earlier withdrawn Clause 28 of Schedule III of its 2008 Rules (the provision prescribing the age limit) in 2013, after a one-man committee found that the restriction violated Article 14 (equality before law).
However, after subsequent litigation, the BCI revived the age restrictions through a September 2016 circular.
The validity of the restrictions has since been challenged before different courts.
The bench was hearing a plea filed by one Rishabh Duggal challenging a 2016 BCI circular that had reinstated Clause 28 of Schedule III of the Rules of Legal Education, 2008.
The provision prescribed a maximum age limit of 20 years for admission to the five-year integrated law programme.
In view of the subsequent resolution, the bench disposed of the petition as having become infructuous.
On September 25, the bench had asked the BCI to clarify its stand on whether it is willing to withdraw the upper age limit prescribed for admission to five-year integrated law courses.
The BCI had originally prescribed an upper age limit of 20 years for general-category candidates and 22 years for candidates belonging to SC, ST and backward communities for admission to five-year integrated law courses under Clause 28 of the Rules of Legal Education, 2008.