Bar Council Approves Kerala’s Proposal to Reserve Seats for Transgender Students

In a landmark step towards educational inclusivity, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has given interim approval to the Kerala government’s proposal to reserve two supernumerary seats for transgender students in all law colleges across the state. The approval marks a milestone in ensuring equal access to legal education for the transgender community.

High Court’s Directive and Government Proposal

The decision follows a directive from the Kerala High Court on October 24, which had instructed the BCI to consider and act on the state’s proposal. The Kerala government had submitted the request on August 6, seeking to introduce the reserved seats in both three-year and five-year LLB programmes. Justice V.G. Arun, who reviewed the case on Thursday, expressed satisfaction with the progress, calling the development “heartening” and reflective of the court’s earlier order.

Background of the Petition

The case originated from a petition filed by a transgender woman who had qualified in the Kerala Law Entrance Examination (KLEE) 2025 and was eligible for admission to the Government Law College, Kozhikode. However, she was denied admission as there were no designated seats for transgender candidates in the allotment list prepared by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations. The petitioner argued that this denial violated her fundamental rights, as well as provisions under the Supreme Court’s NALSA judgment and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

Legal and Policy Implications

The BCI’s approval ensures that transgender students will now have formal representation in Kerala’s legal education system, a move aligned with the state’s commitment to gender justice and social equity. The court observed that the creation of these seats would help eliminate discrimination and foster inclusivity in professional education. The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that steps were being taken to implead all law colleges and universities across Kerala, ensuring consistent implementation.

Exam Oriented Facts

• The Bar Council of India approved Kerala’s proposal to create two supernumerary seats for transgender students in all state law colleges.
• The move follows a Kerala High Court directive dated October 24, 2025.
• The case was initiated by a transgender candidate who qualified in KLEE 2025 but was denied admission.
• The proposal aligns with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and the Supreme Court’s NALSA judgment (2014).

Next Steps and Wider Impact

The Kerala High Court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on November 7 to issue final directions. The decision is expected to serve as a model for other Indian states to implement similar reservations for transgender students across higher education institutions. Justice Arun noted that the move “should help others as well,” reinforcing the judiciary’s role in advancing inclusivity within the nation’s education system.