35-40% of Advocate in India May Have Fake Degrees, Says BCI Chairman

The Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), Senior Advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, has claimed that nearly 35-40% of individuals practising as advocates in India may be using fake law degrees or forged educational documents. The statement has raised serious concerns about the credibility of legal education and the integrity of the judicial system in the country.

Speaking about the ongoing advocate verification process, Mishra said the Bar Council has been working to identify fake lawyers and remove them from the profession. According to him, a large number of advocates have either failed to submit verification documents or could not establish the authenticity of their qualifications during scrutiny.

The Bar Council of India launched the verification drive to ensure that only properly qualified and enrolled advocates are allowed to practise in courts. The process includes checking law degrees, university records, and enrolment details submitted by advocates across various state bar councils.

The issue of fake advocates has been discussed multiple times within the legal community over the past few years. Several state bar councils have previously identified advocates with forged documents or invalid law degrees. In some cases, enrolments were cancelled after investigations revealed discrepancies in educational records.

Legal experts believe the presence of unqualified individuals in the profession can damage public trust in the justice system. Advocates play an important role in representing clients in civil, criminal, and constitutional matters, making professional authenticity a critical requirement.

The Supreme Court has also expressed concern in recent years regarding fake advocates and irregularities in enrolment procedures. Calls for stricter regulation and better verification systems have increased as authorities attempt to address the issue nationwide.

Experts are now recommending reforms such as digital verification of law degrees, centralized advocate databases, and stronger monitoring of legal education institutions. Many believe these measures could help reduce fraud and improve transparency within the legal profession.

The Bar Council of India is expected to continue the verification process in the coming months. Officials say the objective is to maintain professional standards and ensure that only genuine advocates are permitted to practise law in India.

The matter has generated widespread discussion among lawyers, law students, and judicial observers, with many urging faster reforms to strengthen confidence in the country’s legal system.