NLU Delhi Convocation Honours 132 Class of 2026 Graduates
NLU Delhi Convocation honours 132 graduates as Justice B.V. Nagarathna stresses ethics, ADR, and careful AI use.
National Law University Delhi held its 13th Convocation on August 29. The NLU Delhi Convocation honoured 132 graduates from two programmes.
The ceremony took place at the university campus in New Delhi. It marked an important day for the Class of 2026. Students received undergraduate and doctoral law degrees. They were joined by families, judges, faculty, and university leaders.
Justice B.V. Nagarathna attended as the chief guest. She is a judge of the Supreme Court of India. She also serves as the Visitor of NLU Delhi.
Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya attended the ceremony as Chancellor. He is the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. He formally opened the convocation proceedings. He later awarded degrees to the graduating scholars.
The event celebrated academic success and professional responsibility. It also focused on ethics, legal service, and technology. As per the university’s official update, 24 medals were presented. The ceremony also included five cash prizes for achievers.
Justice Nagarathna spoke about integrity and public service. She also warned students about careless use of artificial intelligence. Her message was timely for future lawyers and researchers.
NLU Delhi Convocation Awards Degrees and Honours
The NLU Delhi Convocation covered two major academic programmes. Students graduated from the B.A. LL.B. and Ph.D. programmes. The university awarded degrees to 132 scholars in total.
The graduating group included 124 undergraduate law students. Eight doctoral scholars also received their Ph.D. degrees. The numbers showed the university’s continued academic growth.
Here are the main facts from the ceremony:
- 132 total degrees were awarded during the convocation
- 124 students received B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) degrees
- Eight scholars received Ph.D. degrees in law
- 24 medals recognised academic and other achievements
- Five cash prizes were awarded during the ceremony
- Two students received the Best Student Awards
Ms. Anushka Satya received one Best Student Award. Ms. Mudrika Aggarwal received the second Best Student Award. The awards recognised strong performance throughout the academic year.
Prof. G.S. Bajpai welcomed the guests and graduating batch. He is the Vice-Chancellor of National Law University Delhi. He described graduation as a major professional turning point. He urged students to protect their personal and professional integrity.
Prof. Bajpai also spoke about the purpose of law. He linked legal education with justice and public service. His address encouraged students to strengthen public institutions. He asked graduates to remain curious and responsible.
Several senior legal figures attended the event. Justice Tejas Karia of the Delhi High Court was present. Justice Rajiv Shakdher also attended the ceremony. He earlier served as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court.
The gathering included judges, jurists, teachers, and staff members. Members of the university’s statutory bodies also attended. Families filled the venue to celebrate the graduates’ achievement. The atmosphere combined pride, relief, and future expectations.
For many students, the event ended five years of study. It also began a new stage of legal work. Some graduates may enter litigation or judicial clerkships. Others may join firms, companies, research bodies, or public institutions.
NLU Delhi Convocation: Ethics, ADR and AI Shape the Address
Justice Nagarathna focused on the duties of young lawyers. She described the legal profession as a public trust. She linked legal practice with ethics and constitutional values. She urged graduates to work with care and sound judgment.
Her address stressed the importance of professional competence. However, competence alone is not enough for lawyers. Lawyers must also show honesty and social responsibility. They must act independently while serving clients and courts.
Justice Nagarathna also discussed alternative dispute resolution. This area includes mediation, arbitration, and negotiated settlements. These methods can reduce conflict outside regular court proceedings. They can also save time and reduce legal costs.
Alternative dispute resolution is becoming more important in India. Court cases can take years to reach final resolution. Many litigants also face high costs and long delays. Mediation may help parties find practical settlement options.
Arbitration is also used in many commercial disputes. It can offer a more flexible dispute resolution process. Still, lawyers must protect fairness during every settlement process. Parties should always understand their rights and legal options.
Justice Nagarathna urged graduates to become effective problem-solvers. That approach goes beyond winning cases in court. It requires listening, preparation, and practical legal advice. It also requires a strong understanding of human conflict.
The NLU Delhi Convocation also highlighted risks from artificial intelligence. Justice Nagarathna warned against blind dependence on AI tools. She noted the danger of false or invented legal authorities. AI tools can sometimes create incorrect case citations. They can also produce judgments that do not exist.
This warning matters greatly for young legal professionals. AI can help with research, drafting, and document review. It can make some basic tasks faster. However, it cannot replace a lawyer’s professional judgment.
Every legal authority must be checked before court filing. Advocates must verify statutes, precedents, and case citations. They must read original judgments before relying upon them. Incorrect authorities can damage a lawyer’s credibility before courts.
According to reports, Justice Nagarathna also stressed Bar standards. She linked professional respect with ethical legal conduct. The message reflected wider concerns within the legal profession. Lawyers need public trust to perform their constitutional role.
NLU Delhi Convocation: Why the Ceremony Matters
The NLU Delhi Convocation was more than a degree ceremony. It reflected larger changes within Indian legal education. Law schools now prepare students for changing legal realities. These include digital courts, new technology, and complex disputes.
Graduates now enter a demanding legal environment. They will face pressure to work quickly and accurately. They may use technology during research and drafting. Yet they must remain accountable for every submitted document.
The event also carried strong constitutional importance. Senior judges addressed students entering the legal profession. Their guidance connected legal education with democratic values. It reminded graduates that law affects people’s daily lives.
New lawyers may work in several different legal fields. They may become advocates, researchers, in-house counsel, or academics. Some may work in government departments or regulatory bodies. Others may join civil society groups and legal aid organisations.
Their work can shape access to justice for citizens. It can affect businesses, families, workers, and vulnerable communities. That is why ethical legal education remains deeply important. It supports stronger courts, institutions, and public confidence.
The focus on mediation also has wider social value. Not every dispute needs a long court battle. Some disputes need dialogue and practical compromise. Mediation can sometimes preserve personal or business relationships.
However, mediation must remain fair and voluntary. It cannot replace justice in every serious legal dispute. Lawyers must protect weaker parties during settlement talks. They must ensure that informed consent remains central.
The Class of 2026 enters practice during rapid change. Artificial intelligence is reshaping legal research and drafting. Online hearings have also changed daily legal practice. Yet core professional duties have not changed.
Lawyers must remain accurate, ethical, and well-prepared. They must protect client confidentiality at every stage. They must respect courts and follow professional standards. They must also uphold the rule of law.
NLU Delhi Convocation: Outlook for the Class of 2026
The NLU Delhi Convocation ended with congratulations for every graduate. It marked the completion of an important academic journey. It also marked the beginning of professional responsibility. NLU Delhi Convocation
The graduates will now face new personal challenges. They will enter offices, courtrooms, chambers, and research institutions. Some may continue their education in specialised legal fields. Others may begin practice immediately after graduation.
Their success will depend on more than legal knowledge. It will require discipline, empathy, and ethical courage. It will also require careful use of new technologies. These values can guide them through a changing profession.
The NLU Delhi Convocation showed the university’s larger commitment. It aims to develop lawyers guided by justice and integrity. It also aims to support research and constitutional values. For the Class of 2026, the next chapter now begins. NLU Delhi Convocation
