Withdraw the Proposal to Hike Advocates Enrolment Fee from ₹750 to ₹22,500 under the Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026 – Protect Access to the Legal Profession for Poor and Marginalised Law Graduates

To:
The Chairman, Bar Council of India
The Hon’ble Members of the Bar Council of India

The Hon’ble Minister of Law and Justice, Government of India
The Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs

Subject: Immediate withdrawal of the proposed increase in advocates’ enrolment fee to ₹22,500 (and even the concessional ₹5,625 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates)

We, the undersigned law graduates, advocates, students, and concerned citizens, strongly urge the Bar Council of India and the Government of India to immediately withdraw the proposal in the Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026 that seeks to raise the statutory enrolment fee for new advocates from the existing ₹750 to ₹22,500 (₹18,000 to the State Bar Council + ₹4,500 to the BCI).

Why this must be withdrawn:
Severe barrier for the poor and marginalised A nearly 30-fold increase will place the right to practise law beyond the reach of thousands of law graduates from economically weaker sections, rural areas, and marginalised communities. Even the proposed concessional fee of one-fourth (₹5,625) for SC, ST and persons with benchmark disabilities is many times higher than the current statutory fee of ₹125 and remains unaffordable for many families.

Violation of the fundamental right to practise a profession.

The Supreme Court in Gaurav Kumar v. Union of India (2024) clearly held that excessive enrolment fees create entry barriers, especially for the marginalised and economically weaker sections, and infringe Article 19(1)(g) (right to practise any profession) and Article 14. Raising the statutory ceiling itself to such an unreasonable level defeats the spirit of that judgment and the constitutional guarantee of equal access to the legal profession.

Disproportionate impact on SC/ST and other marginalised law graduates

The legal profession already struggles with under-representation of SC, ST and other disadvantaged groups. A high entry fee (even at the concessional rate) will further exclude them, contrary to the constitutional commitment to equality and social justice.

Many junior advocates earn modest stipends (the BCI itself has recommended minimum stipends of ₹15,000–₹20,000); an enrolment fee of this magnitude can wipe out more than a month’s recommended income before practice even begins.

Administrative needs can be met without shutting doors
Legitimate costs of processing applications, maintaining rolls, and welfare measures can and should be funded through reasonable, inflation-linked revisions, voluntary welfare contributions after enrolment, government support, or other non-exclusionary means. An unprecedented jump to ₹22,500 is neither necessary nor proportionate.

Our demand:
Immediately withdraw the proposed enrolment-fee hike of ₹22,500 (and the related concessional figure) from the Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

Retain fees at reasonable levels that do not create financial barriers for poor and marginalised law graduates.

Ensure any future revision of enrolment fees is made only after genuine, broad-based consultation that prioritises accessibility, equity, and the constitutional right to practise law.

The legal profession must remain open to talent from every section of society. A steep enrolment fee that prices out the poor and marginalised is unacceptable and must be withdrawn at once.

We call upon the Bar Council of India and the Government of India to act immediately.

Sign this petition and share it widely so that the voices of aspiring advocates from all backgrounds are heard.