With reference to India, consider the following statements : 1. Government law officers and legal firms are recognised as advocates, but corporate lawyers and patent attorneys are excluded from recognition as advocates. 2. Bar Councils have the power to lay down the rules relating to legal education and recognition of law colleges. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Statement 2 is correct because the Advocates Act, 1961, empowers the Bar Council of India to promote legal education and lay down standards for such education in consultation with universities. Statement 1 is incorrect because the Act and Bar Council rules do not categorically exclude corporate lawyers or patent attorneys from being recognized as advocates; any person with a law degree enrolled with a State Bar Council is an advocate, though full-time salaried employees may face restrictions on court practice. This question tests the core concept of the regulatory framework governing the legal profession in India under the Advocates Act, 1961.