Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has announced plans to establish a dedicated judicial service coaching institute and law college on a 15–20-acre campus at Bengaluru’s Racecourse premises, with the proposal due to be placed before the state Cabinet for formal clearance.
Shivakumar made the announcement while addressing the 34th annual convocation of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru on Saturday. He said the proposed institution would prepare young aspirants for judicial service examinations and support the development of lawyers seeking careers in the judiciary.
The Chief Minister compared the proposed facility with existing institutions that prepare candidates for the Union Public Service Commission, Indian Police Service and other public services. “But we need the same for the judiciary as well. We want to help young lawyers grow and develop themselves,” he said.
According to Shivakumar, the campus would be developed as a model building and would spread across 15 to 20 acres on the Racecourse premises. He said the proposal would be taken up for formal approval at the upcoming state Cabinet meeting. No construction timeline, project cost or implementing agency was specified in the announcement.
The proposed campus would add a new institutional use to a prominent Bengaluru site and bring together academic, coaching and public-service preparation functions. Its development will therefore depend on decisions relating to land use, project approval and the state’s implementation framework. These details have not yet been announced.
The announcement was made at an event attended by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru. Earlier in the day, Shivakumar, the Chief Justice of India and the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice laid the foundation stone for NLSIU’s South Block, auditorium and student centre.
Addressing the graduating students, Shivakumar said a strong democracy was defined by citizens’ freedom to question the government rather than by uniform agreement with those in power. He said public accountability was central to democratic resilience and urged young people to question, debate and challenge ideas while taking responsibility for finding solutions.
He also called on legal professionals to serve as custodians of constitutional morality. “India does not simply need more lawyers. We need lawyers with integrity, compassion, and courage,” he said, adding that legal professionals and policymakers carried a special responsibility as guardians of the Constitution.
The proposed judicial preparation institute now awaits consideration by the Karnataka Cabinet. Further details on the campus design, land arrangements, financing, construction schedule and academic structure will depend on the state government’s formal decision.
