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Kochi: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has given interim approval to the Kerala government’s proposal to create two additional seats for transgender students in all law colleges across the state. This step is being considered an important step towards inclusivity in legal education.
The approval follows a direction by the Kerala High Court on October 24, which had asked the BCI to consider and approve the government’s request.
The Kerala government had submitted its proposal on August 6, seeking permission to introduce additional seats under the transgender category in three-year and five-year LLB programmes.
When the matter came up on Thursday, Justice VG Arun expressed satisfaction at the progress.
The court said, “It is pleased to note that in accordance with the order of this Court dated 24/10/2025, the Bar Council of India has given interim approval to the proposal of the Government of Kerala for two additional posts in each Law College for the transgender category for the academic year 2025-26.”
The development came during the hearing of a petition filed by a transgender woman who had qualified the Kerala Law Entrance Examination (KLEE) 2025 and was eligible for admission to the Government Law College, Kozhikode.
However, she was denied admission as no separate category or seat existed for transgender candidates in the allotment list prepared by the Commissioner of Entrance Examinations (CEE).
The petitioner argued that the denial violated her fundamental rights as well as the Supreme Court’s NALSA judgment and the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which mandates equal access to education and non-discrimination.
She sought directions from the court to secure her admission under the transgender category and ensure implementation of such reservation in all government law colleges and universities in the state.
Following the BCI’s submissions, the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that they would implead all law colleges and universities of Kerala in the case, noting that only Calicut University has been named so far.
The court has fixed the matter for further hearing on Friday, November 7 to issue appropriate directions. Justice Arun orally remarked, “It should be helpful to others also.”
–IANS