Kurnool: The process of admissions in law courses of Andhra Pradesh has hit a roadblock due to uncertainty over acceptance of qualifications acquired through distance education.
Although admissions into law courses began on December 1, applications of students, who acquired their education qualifications partly or completely in distance mode, are not being considered based on directives of the Bar Council of India (BCI) and Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh.
Such students have raised concerns pointing out that their distance education courses are government-approved and they cannot be denied admissions into law courses.
The issue has reportedly surfaced partly due to a directive of Telangana High Court, leading to law colleges turning away students with a distance education background.
Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) has sought clarification from BCI on the issue. They plan to proceed with admissions into law courses only after receiving clear guidelines.
It is reported that APSCHE has received clearance from BCI stating that distance degrees awarded by Indira Gandhi National Open University and Ambedkar Open University are valid and equivalent to those issued by state universities. However, APSCHE has not yet taken a final decision on the matter.
Thus, the second phase of counselling for admissions into law courses has been postponed until APSCHE receives further clarity from either the BCI or the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh.
A senior official of APSCHE said, “We have not yet finalised results of the first phase of counselling for admissions into law courses. We are also postponing the second phase of the counselling until we get clarity on degrees acquired through distance education.”
Officials of Acharya Nagarjuna University, which conducted Lawcet – 2023, said they will go by the directives of APSCHE, though they are not directly involved in the admissions process. They maintain that their role is limited to conducting the exam and allotting ranks. They have no control over admission issues.
The stance of Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh on enrolling candidates with distance education background is in contrast with certain other states of India, which allow such enrolments.
Some students with distance education backgrounds, who have secured ranks in Lawcet – 2023 have approached AP High Court for resolution of the matter.
