BCI Has Granted Interim Approval To Reserve Two 'Transgender' Category Seats In All State Law Colleges; Kerala High Court Told

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (November 6) was informed that the Bar Council of India has granted interim approval to add two supernumerary seats under Transgender category in all law colleges in Kerala.

Justice V.G. Arun was considering a writ petition seeking reservation under the 'Transgender category' for admissions to integrated Five year LL.B courses in Government Law Colleges.

The Court observed: "It is heartening to note that pursuant to this Court's order dated 24.10.2025, the BCI, in exercise of its powers concerning standards of legal education and in compliance of the Court's direction, has granted interim approval to the Government of Kerala's proposal for two supernumerary posts in the three-year LL.B. degree course as well as the five-year LL.B. programme in each law college in Kerala for the transgender category for academic year 2025-26."

The government pleader then submitted that the next step is to get the approval of different universities in order to add the seats. However, since the petitioner in the case was seeking an admission to the Government Law College, Kozhikode, the other universities had not been impleaded.

Thereupon, the Court directed the petitioner to implead all universities in Kerala. It then orally added:

"Why not I post this tomorrow? Give copies to the standing counsels for each university. I can pass a general order. Let it be helpful to the others also."

The case is posted on Friday (November 7) for further consideration.

Case Title: Esai Clara v State of Kerala

Case No: WP(C) 30999/ 2025

Counsel for Petitioner: Raghul Sudheesh, Unnikrishnan S. Thandiyaan, Umadevi M., Ambily T. Venu, J. Lakshmi

Counsel for Respondent: P.C. Sasidharan, Rajit - BCI

Click To Read/Download Order