NIOS Students Eligible for Admission to Integrated Law Courses: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court, with Justice N. Nagaresh presiding, has set aside the decision of the Principal of S.N. Law College to deny admission to a candidate who had secured a primary allotment on the merit list. The denial was based on the candidate’s qualification obtained through an open learning school. 

The Kerala High Court has passed a judgement allowing National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) students to take part in integrated law degree courses. Students who have passed the secondary and senior secondary examinations from NIOS will be elgible to get admission to law degree courses. 

Kerala HC bench, comprises of Justice N. Nagaresh recently set aside an order of Principal of S.N. Law College, Poothotta, Thripunithura, who refused admission to candidate on the grounds that his basic qualification from an open learning school, despite the fact that he has been named in the primary allotment in the merit list. 

The court highlighted that according to Bar Council of India Rule 5 (b), an applicant for admission to integrated degree programmes must have finished the class 12 or its equivalent from a recognised university/ board of education in India or abroad, or from a Senior Secondary Board or equivalent recognised by the Union or State governments.

The court further pointed out that the petitioner has qualified classes 9 and 10 under the NIOS scheme and the certificate issued by the NIOS is recognised by all univeristies under the directive of the Association of Indian Universities. Hence, qualification from NIOS shall be accepted in order to get admission in integrated law courses. Since the Association of Indian Universities has recognised NIOS courses as equivalent to other universities, the degree conferred by NIOS shall be equally valid in order to get admission to professional degree courses. 

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