Attendance policies in law colleges across India are governed by the Bar Council of India (BCI), which mandates a minimum of 75% attendance in each subject for students to be eligible to appear for examinations. This rule, while aimed at ensuring academic discipline and consistent classroom engagement, has led to widespread concerns among students. Many law students face challenges in maintaining the required attendance due to internships, moot courts, research work, health issues, or personal emergencies. Despite these academically or professionally enriching activities, strict enforcement without flexibility often results in students being barred from exams, leading to academic loss and psychological stress. The tension between practical exposure and classroom requirements continues to fuel debates on reforming attendance policies in legal education.
Here I consider three major groups, the first ones are those who are learning as general interest, the second ones are learning for betterment in job or to expand career opportunities and third ones are law as career. Beginning with first group according to me if they are genuinely interested, they should attain classes and share their experiences so that others can also open up more. Suppose they are already working they can attain a few classes. Like my classmate who is working says, “Juggling my roles is challenging yet deeply rewarding, but my passion for law led me to this prestigious law college. Despite my busy schedule, I ensure I attend the classes daily, striving to gain legal expertise while fulfilling my professional responsibilities.” Second group according to me most difficult to deal with as they have already excelled in their respective careers, but as one of the professors once said and I quote, “No office starts at 7:30 am in the morning” so they can attain at least first two lectures. Now, both these groups can attain at least 50% of classes, which is according to undertaking enough if they show up in other college activities but, mostly they don’t. This seems stricter, so casual leaves should be there. So, finally 40% attendance Should be mandated which aligns with criterion of passing score. Also, it is subject to any unforeseen event with proper evidence. Stricter action like not allowing to sit in examinations should also be taken.
Now the most important group is third group law as a sole or most preferred opportunity as a career. This group Should try to attain maximum classes and participate in maximum events. But this group has some other sort of challenges like when we participate in many competitions, research paper writing and other extracurricular activities it naturally affects the attendance. But, as given in undertaking exemption till 50% is already given and for the sake of benefit of doubt it can be down to 40%. Benefit of doubt should always be given if attendance is above 35%. Another classmate of mine who is regular attends classes she says, “My passion for law is the one and only thing that motivates me to attend lectures regularly. I don't want this degree just for the sake of it, I want to earn my degree of law. For being an advocate, there should be holistic personality development, and attending lectures is a part of the development process. I personally enjoy attending lectures because law is an ocean, without our professors, we would be clueless from where to start.”
As the matter-of-fact Bar Council of India is regulating the law education the rules are final. Under Rules for Legal Education made by the Bar Council of India under the Advocates Act, 1961 a students’ attendance for the purpose of enrolment as an Advocate, must be 70% per subject per term of the lectures delivered. Students must comply with Rule 12 of Legal Education framed by the Bar Council of India under the Advocates Act, 1961[1]. But this seems arbitrary, and an open discussion should be there. The Delhi High Court's recent observation favoring a reduction in the mandatory 70% attendance requirement for law students has ignited a debate with law faculty and students presenting opposing perspectives. While faculty members argue that lowering attendance will dilute the quality of legal education and reduce classroom engagement, students emphasize the importance of flexibility, citing internships and practical exposure as critical components of their training [2]. But recently, The Supreme Court said the Bar Council of India had no business to get into legal education, which should be left to jurists and academicians[3].
One of our seniors from T.Y.LLB (2024-25) she says, “Attending classes keeps me engaged with thought-provoking discussions and helps me to be active in college related activities and studies. Interacting with professors and my peers enhances understanding and gives me confidence to express myself. Also, it keeps me consistent with Attending classes not only builds discipline but also boosts my confidence in legal reasoning and applications. Every session adds value to my academic and professional goals”. Finally, if someone asks what real perks are in attending I would say start attending you will get to know.
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