The Bar Council of India (BCI) is a statutory body, constituted by Government of India under Advocates Act 1961 with the main objective of controlling and governing the working of all immediate subsidiary state-level bar councils besides laying down the standards of professional conduct and etiquette. Though it comes under the purview of Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, it is a corporate body having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to acquire and hold property, both movable and immovable, and to contract, and may by the name by which it is known sue and be sued.

The council comprises of 18 Members including the Attorney General of India and the Solicitor General of India. While both the Attorney General and the Solicitor General are Ex-officio Members, the other 16 Members of the council represent the 16 State Bar Councils in the country.

The council is headed by a Chairman and Vice-Chairman, who are selected from among the council members for a two-year tenure. The council members, on the other hand, are elected for period of five years.