BCI Withdraws Upper Age Limit for 3-Year and 5-Year LLB Courses; Informs Supreme Court About New Law Admissions Rules

BCI has informed the Supreme Court that the age limit for 3-year and 5-year LLB courses has been withdrawn. The development allows law aspirants across all age groups to apply for admission to undergraduate law programmes without previously imposed upper-age restrictions.

Age Limit for 3-Year and 5-Year LLB Courses Withdrawn

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has withdrawn the upper-age restrictions for admission to three-year and five-year LLB programmes. The council informed the Supreme Court about its decision during an SC hearing on November 6, 2026. This means law aspirants across age groups can get admission to undergraduate law courses without any age restrictions for 3-year and 5-year LLB programmes.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard the BCI's submission and disposed of the petition challenging the age restrictions. The decision followed a resolution passed by the BCI General Council on November 5, 2026, to withdraw the upper-age limits for law admissions.

What is the Case?

The case was filed by Rishabh Duggal, who challenged the BCI's decision to restore the age restrictions through a 2016 circular. The petition questioned the council's authority under the Advocates Act, 1961, to prescribe an upper age limit for admission to three-year and five-year law degree programmes.

The Supreme Court had earlier questioned the justification for imposing age restrictions, particularly when the nature of law courses varies across colleges. The court had also asked BCI to reconsider its understanding of the issue. Reportedly, the council addressed that a fixed maximum age was not adequately justified on academic grounds.

After this latest rule, candidates will no longer be excluded from three-year or five-year LLB admissions only because they have crossed the earlier upper age limit. However, applicants have to meet the academic qualifications and other admission requirements specified by universities for admission.