Gavin Howe
India has a long and illustrious legal history, with some form of civil law possibly in place during the Bronze Age and the Indus Valley civilization. Today, law is one of the most popular disciplines to study in India, with over 1000 law colleges spread across the country. To study law in India, students must first complete their 12th (10+2) from a recognized board. After that, they can apply for a 5-year integrated LLB program or a 3-year LLB program after graduation. They must also pass law school entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, LSAT, or state-level exams to get admission into reputed law schools. India offers a wide range of law specializations, including civil, criminal, tax, constitutional, real estate, international, patent/copyright, labor, and family law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Law Degrees | BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB, B.Sc. LL.B., LLB, LLM, LLD, MBA-LLM, MBL-LLM, PhD |
| Entrance Exams | CLAT, AILET, LSAT, JMI Entrance, JMIBVP CET, IPU, AUAT, AMU Law entrance exams |
| Eligibility | Students must complete 12th grade (10+2) from a recognised board |
| Duration | 3 years for LLB, 5 years for integrated LLB, 1-2 years for LLM, 3 years for MBA-LLM, MBL-LLM |
| Recognition | Regulated by the Bar Council of India, a statutory body under the Advocates Act 1961 |
| Practice Requirements | Pass the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and meet the Bar Council of India's requirements |
| Career Options | Lawyer, paralegal, mediator, judge, legal advisor, legal manager, academic |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility requirements
To study law in India, one must fulfil certain eligibility requirements. These requirements vary depending on the type of law degree and the institution offering it. Here are the detailed eligibility requirements for studying law in India:
Educational Prerequisites
To pursue a legal education in India, students typically need to complete their higher secondary education (10+2 or 12th grade) from a recognised board. This is the minimum qualification for admission into integrated law programmes. After completing their 12th grade, students can apply for integrated law programmes, which combine undergraduate education with legal studies.
Entrance Examinations
In addition to completing higher secondary education, students must also clear law entrance examinations to gain admission into reputable law schools. The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a widely recognised entrance examination for admission into integrated LLB programmes. Other entrance exams include the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET), state-level exams, and university-specific tests conducted by institutions like the National Law University, Delhi. These exams assess students' aptitude and proficiency in legal reasoning, logical thinking, and general knowledge.
Academic Requirements for Foreign Students
Foreign nationals and OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders are eligible to study law in India. However, they must meet specific admission requirements, which often include proficiency in English language tests (IELTS or TOEFL) and standardised tests like the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Foreign law degrees may require additional validation or equivalence determination to be recognised in India.
Academic Requirements for Specific Programmes
For specialised law programmes, such as the Master of Laws (LL.M.), students typically need to have completed their undergraduate legal education. The LL.M. is a postgraduate law degree with a duration of one or two years. Admission to LL.M. programmes may be based on performance in entrance examinations or academic merit.
Additional Requirements for Legal Practice
While the above-mentioned requirements pertain to academic studies, there are additional considerations for those who wish to practice law in India. After obtaining a recognised LLB degree, individuals must pass the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) to be eligible to practice law anywhere in the country. The Bar Council of India, established under the Advocates Act, 1961, is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing legal education and maintaining professional standards in the legal profession.
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Entrance exams
To study law in India, candidates must complete their higher secondary education (class 12th) from a recognised board. After that, they can apply for a 5-year integrated LLB program, such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, or BCom LLB. These integrated programs combine undergraduate education with legal studies, allowing students to start their law careers early.
When it comes to entrance exams, there are several options available for aspiring law students in India. Here are the details:
Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is one of the most prominent law entrance exams in India. It serves as the gateway to some of India's most prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs). CLAT is conducted on a rotational basis by these NLUs, with each university taking its turn to organise the exam. The test assesses candidates' knowledge in areas such as English, General Knowledge, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Mathematics. It is designed to evaluate the aptitude and proficiency of students seeking admission to integrated LLB programs.
AILET
AILET, or the All India Law Entrance Test, is another crucial law entrance exam in India. This exam provides an alternative route to gaining admission to National Law Universities, specifically the National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi). AILET is conducted by NLU Delhi itself and covers similar areas to CLAT, including English, Reasoning, and General Knowledge.
State-level Entrance Exams
In addition to CLAT and AILET, various states in India conduct their own law entrance exams for admission to state-level law schools and universities. These exams may have different names and formats, but they generally assess students' aptitude and knowledge in legal and non-legal subjects. Examples include the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test for Law (MHT CET Law) and the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences Entrance Examination (NUJSEE).
LSAT India
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) India is a standardised test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). While LSAT is commonly associated with law school admissions in the United States, LSAT India is specifically designed for Indian law schools. It assesses critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension skills. Many private law schools in India accept LSAT India scores for admissions.
University-specific Entrance Exams
Some universities in India, particularly private autonomous law schools, conduct their own admission tests. These exams are tailored to the specific university's requirements and may deviate from the standardised format of other entrance exams. They often assess a combination of legal knowledge, analytical skills, and general aptitude. Examples include the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) and the BHU UET for Law.
It is important to note that the specific eligibility criteria and admission processes may vary across law schools in India. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to the official websites of the desired law schools and stay updated with the latest information regarding entrance exams, application procedures, and requirements.
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Best law colleges
India has almost 1,500 universities for Law, out of which 26 are government-owned and 10 are private institutions. The best law colleges in India are ranked by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) every year. The ranking is based on various parameters and may change depending on the performances of the colleges. Here is a list of the top law colleges in India:
- NLSIU Bangalore
- NLU Delhi
- Nalsar University of Law
- NLU Kolkata
- Faculty of Law, JMI
- Symbiosis Law School
- GNLU Gandhinagar
- SOA
- BBAU Lucknow
- Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences
National Law Universities (NLUs) are autonomous, public universities established by an Act of Parliament of the Government of India. There are 20+ NLUs in India, widely regarded as the premier law institutions in the country.
To study law in India, one must complete their 12th grade (10+2) from a recognised board. After that, they can apply for a 5-year integrated LLB program such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, or BCom LLB. Candidates must pass Class 10+2 with a minimum of 45% aggregate from a recognised board. To gain admission to reputed law schools, one needs to clear law entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, or state-level exams.
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Types of law degrees
India offers a diverse range of law degrees, providing options for individuals at various stages of their careers. Law degrees in India are granted and conferred in terms of the Advocates Act, 1961, which is a law passed by the Parliament on the aspect of legal education and the regulation of the conduct of the legal profession. Under the Act, the Bar Council of India is the supreme regulatory body that regulates the legal profession in India and ensures compliance with the laws and the maintenance of professional standards by the legal profession.
Integrated Undergraduate Degrees
These degrees combine a law degree with an undergraduate degree in arts, business, commerce, or science. They are typically five-year programs that students can apply for after completing their 12th grade from a recognized board. Examples of integrated undergraduate degrees include:
- B.A. LL.B.
- B.Sc. LL.B.
- BBA LL.B.
- B.Com. LL.B.
- B.A.L. LL.B.
- B.Tech LL.B.
- B.SW LL.B.
- B. Pharm LL.B.
LLB
The LLB is the foundational degree for anyone aiming to practice law in India. It is a three-year program that covers various legal subjects such as property law, criminal law, family law, environmental law, and constitutional law. Students can pursue an LLB after obtaining an undergraduate degree in any field.
LLM
The LLM is a postgraduate degree that focuses on specialized legal fields such as international law, commercial law, corporate law, or human rights. It is typically pursued by those interested in academia, research, or niche legal practices. The duration of an LLM program can be one or two years.
PhD in Law
A PhD in Law is the highest academic qualification in the legal field. It is a research-focused degree ideal for those aspiring to become legal scholars, professors, or researchers. This rigorous program involves extensive study in a specific legal field and the completion of a dissertation.
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Career options
In India, law is a highly sought-after and noble profession. It is seen as a lucrative career choice, with lawyers charging high fees for their services. A law degree also prepares students for a wide range of professional roles outside of the legal sector.
There are several types of law degree specialisations for students who want to build a career in a specialised field of law. The most common law degrees are BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), and LLB (Hons). The lowest law degree in India is a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), a three-year undergraduate degree. The LLB is the most common law degree offered by Indian universities, and almost all law schools follow a standard LLB curriculum.
Students can pursue a BBA LLB to become commercial and corporate lawyers, who are currently the highest-paid type of lawyer in India. Commercial and corporate lawyers work closely with banks and other financial institutions and are involved in high-value transactions.
Other career options for law graduates include becoming a paralegal, mediator, or judge. Students interested in working for the Indian government may try to get hired by the Indian Legal Services by taking a Union Public Service Commission examination. Job offerings in the government sector include law officer, deputy legal advisor, assistant advisor, or legal advisor.
Students can also pursue an LLM, a one- or two-year postgraduate law degree, or a Doctorate (PhD) in Law, the highest law degree in India.
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Frequently asked questions
To study law in India, you must complete your 12th (10+2) from a recognised board. After that, you can apply for a 5-year integrated LLB program.
The most common law degrees are BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons) and LLB (Hons). Other types include B.Sc. LLB, BBA. LLB, B.Com. LLB, B.A.L. LLB, and Master of Laws (LL.M.).
Entrance exams include CLAT, AILET, LSAT, JMI Entrance, JMIBVP CET, IPU, AUAT, and AMU Law entrance exams.
OCI cardholders, NRIs, and foreign nationals can study law in India and are eligible for admission in most law schools. However, they may need to meet specific requirements, such as English proficiency and standardised tests.
