The Kerala High Court on Thursday took note of a significant step forward in transgender representation in legal education. The court acknowledged that the Bar Council of India (BCI) has granted interim approval to create two supernumerary (additional) seats for transgender students in both three-year and five-year LL.B programmes in Government Law Colleges across the State for the 2025–26 academic year. The matter came up during the hearing of a petition filed by a 22-year-old aspiring law student from Kozhikode.
Background
The petitioner, Esai Clara, had approached the High Court seeking inclusion under the transgender reservation category for admission to the Integrated Five-Year LL.B course at Government Law College, Kozhikode. Her counsel argued that although Kerala has formally recognized transgender persons as a separate gender category for several public services, the reservation framework in higher education-especially in professional courses-remains inconsistent.
The petition was backed by earlier directions of the court, which had asked authorities to consider the matter seriously in view of the State’s own Transgender Policy. The petitioner’s representation was supported by references to similar inclusion steps taken in other States and universities.
Court’s Observations
Justice V.G. Arun, who presided over the hearing, noted that the compliance process had begun following the court’s earlier interim order dated October 24. “The bench observed, ‘It is heartening to note that the Bar Council of India has responded to the proposal and granted interim approval to create the additional seats,’” acknowledging the progress as a positive shift.
Government lawyers informed the court that after BCI’s clearance, the next procedural step lies with respective universities, who must formally approve the additional seats to enable their inclusion in admission lists. The University of Calicut’s counsel confirmed they were aware of the proposal but were awaiting formal proceedings.
The petitioner’s counsel submitted that other universities offering law programmes must also be added to the case, as the issue concerns State-wide policy, not just one college.
Court’s Decision
The High Court recorded the BCI’s interim approval and directed that the process now moves to the concerned university for completion. The petitioner has agreed to implead other universities offering law programs in Kerala to ensure the reservation applies uniformly across campuses.
The court then adjourned the matter, scheduling it for November 7, 2025, for further consideration.
The order ends at this stage, pending final approval by universities.
Case Title: Esai Clara v. State of Kerala & Others (Transgender Reservation in Law College Admissions)
Court: Kerala High Court, Ernakulam
Case No.: WP(C) No. 30999 of 2025
Petitioner: Esai Clara, a 22-year-old transgender aspiring law student from Kozhikode
Respondents:
- State of Kerala (Higher Education Department)
- Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, Kerala
- Government Law College, Kozhikode
- University of Calicut
- Bar Council of India (implanted later)