IGNOU–ICAI B.Com (A&F) Eligible For 3-Year LL.B: BCI

BCI has recently confirmed that for 3-Year LL.B. admissions, IGNOU–ICAI B.Com (A&F) if fully eligible. The official notification that came in December 2025 has cleared a decade of confusion among aspirants. Read here to know more.

While putting an end to confusion, Bar Council of India has confirmed that for taking admission to 3-Year LL.B. across all BCI approved law colleges, IGNOU–ICAI http://B.Com (A&F) is fully eligible. 

Due to inconsistent interpretation since decade, all students who wanted to be Chartered Accountants were confused about the eligibility criteria. So, if students have pursued graduation even through distance education after completing regular 10+2, then the degree remains valid. However, the LLB should be pursued in regular mode.

Bar Council of India on Legal Education India

The BCI Rules of Legal Education, 2008, states the following:

• The degrees obtained through correspondence and distance education is eligible or permitted for admission to law courses.
• If a student obtain first degree from any university established by State Legislature or Act of Parliament, it is valid for three year LLB admission.
• The students who obtained Class 12 or graduation through an open university system without having basic preceding qualification will not be eligible for admission.

IGNOU–ICAI B.Com (A&F) for LL.B.: More Details

Earlier, there was a lot of confusion around this, there were many universities that granted admission based on this qualification. Also, many other did not consider this a valid eligibility and declined admission. In even worst case, some students got admission but despite clearing AIBE, they were denied erolment.
In 2014, one such case was highlighted where a CA Karan Joshi holding a B.Com Accountancy and Finance degree under IGNOU-ICAI was rejected for admission. Later on BCI favored her position, as reported by taxguru. This clarification was not issued as a general public circular, hence, there was no awareness and many students faced the same.

Read more:

• MH CET Law Registration 2026: Application Form Out for 3-year LLB Course; Know How to Apply
• MH CET Law 2026 3 Yr LLB Registration Link (ACTIVE) @portal.maharashtracet.org: Steps to Apply & Live Updates