Manan Kumar Mishra, the influential Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), has been elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha as a Member of Parliament for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Bihar. This significant political elevation in August 2024 comes after a distinguished legal career and a prominent role in India's legal regulatory landscape.
Early Life and Legal Journey
Born in the Gopalganj district of Bihar, Manan Kumar Mishra completed his early education locally before pursuing higher studies. He earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from Rajendra College in Chapra and later distinguished himself at Patna Law College, Patna University, graduating as a gold medalist.
Mishra began his legal practice in 1982, initially at the Gopalganj Civil Court and the Patna High Court. Over nearly three decades, he cultivated a robust practice, specializing in diverse civil and constitutional matters across Bihar. In 2009, he transitioned his primary practice to New Delhi, subsequently achieving the esteemed status of Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India.
Political Aspirations and Rajya Sabha Election
Parallel to his legal profession, Mishra actively pursued political ambitions, aligning with various parties throughout his career:
- 2009 General Elections: Contested the Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha seat in Bihar on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket.
- 2010 Assembly Elections: Contested from the Baikunthpur constituency in Gopalganj on an Indian National Congress ticket.
- 2014-Present: Joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), integrating his regulatory oversight with active party work.
- August 2024: Nominated by the BJP for the Rajya Sabha by-election from Bihar, necessitated by Misa Bharti's election to the Lok Sabha, and subsequently elected unopposed to the Upper House of Parliament.
A Decade at the Helm of the Bar Council of India
Manan Kumar Mishra first assumed office as Chairman of the Bar Council of India in April 2012. He has maintained an unprecedented tenure, serving continuously except for a brief seven-month period in 2014. After returning to the helm on November 9, 2014, Mishra secured successive re-elections, culminating in a historic seventh term in early 2025.
Under his leadership, the BCI expanded its traditional mandate of setting legal education standards and regulating advocate enrollments. The council frequently issued administrative directives on various socio-political developments, courtroom etiquette, and national debates, ranging from advocating for court holidays during major religious events to defending judicial institutions amidst public controversies.
The NALSAR Convocation Controversy
Mishra's leadership recently drew significant attention during the NALSAR University of Law convocation row. A section of students at NALSAR, Hyderabad, initiated a campaign opposing the university's invitation to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as chief guest. The students' objection was rooted in judicial observations made during a hearing concerning police action against student protesters in Delhi.
In response, Mishra, on behalf of the BCI, issued a sweeping circular:
- A nationwide enrolment freeze, directing all State Bar Councils to suspend the advocate enrolment of the entire 2026 NALSAR graduating batch pending an inquiry.
- Allegations of "groupism" against university faculty members, accusing them of instigating students to intimidate a constitutional functionary.
- A demand for a comprehensive report from NALSAR leadership identifying the organizers of the campaign.
Reversal and Judicial Scrutiny
The BCI's collective penalty faced sharp resistance from legal scholars, student bodies, and prominent members of the bar, who criticized the order as an overreach that unfairly punished an entire graduating class. Within 24 hours, Mishra executed a multi-stage reversal, first modifying the directive to allow pending enrollments during the inquiry, and subsequently dropping all disciplinary proceedings after concluding that the graduating students bore no direct responsibility for the disturbance.
The issue escalated to the Supreme Court, where a bench headed by CJI Surya Kant himself critiqued the BCI's premature intervention. The court questioned the statutory authority of the council to interfere in internal university administration and affirmed the fundamental right of law students to voice peaceful dissent.