New Delhi: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has expressed grave concern over the “rampant proliferation of law colleges nationwide”, as it asked states and universities to undertake thorough surveys and inspections before granting no-objection certificates to such institutions.

The BCI is an independent statutory body under The Advocates Act, 1961, empowered to regulate legal education in consultation with universities whose degree shall be a qualification for enrolment as an advocate.

A circular addressed to all states and the vice-chancellors of universities in the country noted that the general council of the BCI took decisive action by passing resolution number 114/2015 dated June 6, 2015, which had unequivocally urged all state governments and universities to impose restrictions on issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) and affiliations for three years.

“Despite this resolute decision and the subsequent issuance of circulars to this effect, it is regrettable to note that over 300 ‘no objection certificates’ were issued by state governments, and affiliations were granted by Universities. This concerning trend highlights the urgent need for stricter adherence to regulatory measures to curb the unchecked proliferation of law colleges across the country,” BCI secretary Srimanto Sen said in the circular issued on April 17 and made public on Wednesday.

According to BCI, the response from universities regarding surprise inspections of affiliated law colleges has not met the expected standards.

“This lack of proactive engagement undermines the efforts to improve the standards of legal education and address the issue of unchecked growth of law colleges...,” it said.