BCI mandates Inclusion of New Criminal Laws in LLB Syllabus from Academic Year 2024-25

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a circular instructing legal education institutions nationwide to swiftly implement several directives, including the integration of three new laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam of 2023—into their curricula beginning in the academic year 2024-2025. Dated May 20, 2024, and signed by BCI Secretary Srimanto Sen, the circular was addressed to university vice-chancellors, registrars, principals, deans, and directors of legal institutions.

The circular stated, “In line with the evolving legal landscape of the nation, it has been decided to incorporate three new enactments i.e. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 into the curriculum of Universities and Centers of Legal Education starting from the academic year 2024-2025.” It cited a "transformative vision" for legal education, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directives and the collective interests of the judiciary and government, emphasizing the integration of new subjects into legal curricula.

The circular highlighted the Prime Minister's view that legal education needs to adapt to changing times and technologies, focusing on the latest trends in crimes, investigation, and evidence. It also stressed the importance of strengthening exchange programs between law universities from different countries to provide young legal professionals with greater international exposure. Consequently, the BCI has instructed all Centers of Legal Education to implement these changes immediately.

In addition, the circular mandated legal education institutions to include subjects such as blockchain, electronic discovery, cybersecurity, robotics, artificial intelligence, and bioethics in their curricula. This initiative aims to equip graduates with the skills necessary to effectively address current legal challenges. The circular also emphasized imparting a deep understanding of constitutional values, integrating socio-economic and cultural contexts into syllabi, promoting interdisciplinary thinking, and fostering bilingual education using both English and regional languages.

Regarding computer education, the circular noted its existing inclusion in the rules of legal education since 2008. It reiterated the government and judiciary's interest in making mediation a compulsory subject, a directive previously communicated in August 2020. Furthermore, the circular outlined guidelines prohibiting the approval of law courses through online or correspondence modes, stressing that degree courses must be conducted through regular in-person sessions within stipulated timeframes and working hours. It also addressed the process for equating foreign LLB degrees obtained by Indian students and emphasized the need for periodic review and compliance with sanctioned seat strengths across legal education institutions.

The circular concluded that all Centers of Legal Education under the BCI's purview are required to adhere to Bar Council of India Legal Education Reforms, Mandatory Guidelines, Norms & Rules of Legal Education in the design and execution of Legal Education/Law Degree programs. Non-compliance shall result in necessary action, with the circular being effective immediately.

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