New Delhi, Aug 9 — The Supreme Court has ruled that State Bar Councils and the Bar Council of India (BCI) cannot charge any “optional” fees from law graduates enrolling as advocates, directing the Karnataka State Bar Council to halt the practice immediately.
A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan issued the order while hearing a contempt plea by K.L.J.A. Kiran Babu, who alleged non-compliance with the court’s July 2024 ruling against exorbitant enrolment fees. The Karnataka body had been collecting ₹6,800 for items such as ID cards and welfare funds, plus an additional ₹25,000, which it claimed were optional.
The bench dismissed this claim, stating, “There is nothing like optional. No State Bar Council or Bar Council of India shall collect any fees beyond the statutory charge.” The statutory fees, as per last year’s verdict, are capped at ₹750 for general category candidates and ₹125 for SC/ST candidates under the Advocates Act, 1961.
BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra told the court that letters had been sent to all state councils on August 6, directing them to follow the ruling. The court’s earlier decision found that high enrolment charges—ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹40,000—discriminated against economically weaker sections and violated Articles 14 and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.
The ruling applies prospectively, meaning excess fees already collected will not be refunded.
