Why No Fee Regulation For Legal Education?

Law And Disorder

- | Nikunj.Soni

A deadlock between the Bar Council of India (BCI) and the state government over the recognition of grant-in-aid law colleges has left thousands of aspiring lawyers in Gujarat with no choice but to enroll in expensive self-financed institutions. While fees at government-aided colleges range from Rs 750 to Rs 2,000 per term, students are now being forced to pay over Rs 10,000—or in some cases more than Rs 1 lakh annually—to pursue their law degrees.

Of the 29 grant-in-aid colleges in the state, only nine—those run directly by universities—have received BCI recognition. The remaining 20, managed by private trusts, are yet to be recognised due to their inability to meet the BCI's stringent norms. As a result, these colleges were excluded from the admission process last year and face the same fate this year too.

With limited options, students are turning to self-financed colleges, which charge significantly higher fees. For instance, while aided law colleges charge Rs 1,700-2,000 per term for boys and Rs 750-1,000 for girls, self-financed colleges affiliated to state universities demand upwards of Rs 10,000—and private universities charge over Rs 1 lakh per annum.

The silence of student leaders and the government has further frustrated students and educationists, who believe the situation is pushing legal education out of reach for those from modest backgrounds. Critics say the vacuum benefits self-financed colleges, many of which are backed by politically influential figures.