08,April 2023
Introduction
Criminal law is one of the most popular and challenging branches of law. In India, there is a huge demand for criminal law courses due to the increasing crime rate and the need for legal professionals to combat it. If you are interested in pursuing a career in criminal law, this blog will provide you with regarding various criminal law courses in India.
What is Criminal Law?
Criminal law is a body of laws that governs the conduct of individuals and outlines the penalties for criminal behavior. It is concerned with prosecuting those who commit crimes and ensuring that justice is served for victims of criminal acts. Criminal law covers a wide range of offenses, including theft, murder, sexual abuse, and threatening, and is responsible for conducting a trial for convicted offenders. In India, the principle of presumption of innocence is enshrined in criminal jurisprudence, which means that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty.
It is the duty of a criminal lawyer to defend an accused individual, regardless of public perception or personal beliefs about their guilt. Refusing to defend someone on the grounds of suspicion or public opinion is considered professional misconduct. Special rules have been framed by the Bar Council of India to regulate the conduct of criminal lawyers under the Advocate Act 1961.
Criminal lawyers play an essential role in defending accused individuals and upholding the principle of presumption of innocence. They must be prepared to put in long hours of research and preparation for trial strategies, bail, and cross-examination. Some of the top criminal lawyers in India include Ram Jethmalani, Gopal Subramanium, K.T.S. Tulsi, Sushil Kumar, Shanti Bhushan, Majeed Memon, and Ujwal Nikam.
Eligibility
Criminal law courses in India are offered at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The primary step towards pursuing a career in the legal arena is sitting for a law entrance exam or registering for colleges that provide recognised undergraduate law degree programs. The eligibility for application may differ from institution to institution but for the National Law Institutes (NLUs) and most of the premier law schools, national, state, or institution level entrance examination scores are taken into consideration.
Following are the list of law entrance exams in India:
- Examination CLAT 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 8th August, 2022
- Registration End Date, 2023 18th November 2022
- Examination Date, 2023 18th December, 2022
- Examination AILET 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 7th September 2022
- Registration End Date, 2023 20th November, 2022
- Examination Date, 2023 11 December, 2022
- Examination LSAT India 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 January Session ,10th November, 2022. June Session 11th January, 2023
- Registration End Date, 2023 January Session 10th November, 2022 June Session 26th May, 2023
- Examination Date, 2023 January Session 22nd January 2023, June Session 8th-11th June 2023
- Examination DU LLB 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 March 2023
- Registration End Date, 2023 To be notified
- Examination Date, 2023 1st June- 10th June, 2023
- Examination AP LAWCET 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 3rd week of March 2023 (tentative)
- Registration End Date, 2023 4th week of April 2023 (tentative)
- Examination Date, 2023 May 2023 (tentative)
- Examination M.H. C.E.T. Law 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 8th January 2023
- Registration End Date, 2023 To be notified
- Examination Date, 2023 1st April 2023
- Examination TS LAWCET 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023March-April 2023 (tentative)
- Registration End Date, 2023 May-June 2023 (tentative)
- Examination Date, 2023 July 2023 (tentative)
- Examination P.U. U.G. Law 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 February 2023 (tentative)
- Registration End Date, 2023 May 2023 (tentative)
- Examination Date, 2023 May-June 2023 (tentative)
- Examination KLEE 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 April 2023 (tentative)
- Registration End Date, 2023 May 2023 (tentative)
- Examination Date, 2023 May-June 2023 (tentative)
- Examination SLAT 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 15th December, 2022
- Registration End Date, 2023 12th April, 2023
- Examination Date, 2023 6th May, 2023 and 14th May, 2023
- Examination AIL LET 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 April 2023 (tentative)
- Registration End Date, 2023 May 2023 (tentative)
- Examination Date, 2023 June 2023 (tentative)
- Examination IPU CET-Law 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 June 2023 (tentative)
- Registration End Date, 2023 July 2023 (tentative)
- Examination Date, 2023 August 2023 (tentative)
- Examination AMU BA LLB
- Registration Start Date, 2023 February 2023 (tentative)
- Registration End Date, 2023 March 2023 (tentative)
- Examination Date, 2023 May 2023 (tentative)
- Examination JMI BA LLB 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 May, 2023 (tentative)
- Registration End Date, 2023 June, 2023 (tentative)
- Examination Date, 2023 June-July, 2023 (tentative)
- Examination GLAT 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 16th January, 2023
- Registration End Date, 2023 14th May, 2023
- Examination Date, 2023 20th May, 2023
- Examination ILSAT 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 Ongoing
- Registration End Date, 2023 28th May, 2023
- Examination Date, 2023 4th June, 2023
- Examination KIITEE 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 10th December, 2022 (Phase 1)
- Registration End Date, 2023 5th April, 2023 (Phase 1)
- Examination Date, 2023 14th -18th April, 2023 (Phase 1)
- Examination NMIMS LAT 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 1st December, 2022
- Registration End Date, 2023 21st May, 2023
- Examination Date, 2023 4th January 2023 - 31st May 2023
- Examination ULSAT 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 February, 2023
- Registration End Date, 2023 June, 2023
- Examination Date, 2023 June, 2023
- Examination IIULET 2023
- Registration Start Date, 2023 Dec 2022 / Jan 202
- Registration End Date, 2023 To be notified
- Examination Date, 2023 To be notified
Criminal Law Courses in India
Criminal Law courses are available at various levels, namely:
- Undergraduate Level (UG)
- Post-Graduate Level (PG)
- Diploma Courses
- Certificate Courses/ Online Criminal Law Courses
- Doctorate (PhD) Courses
UG Courses in Criminal Law
Bachelor courses in Criminal Law are highly popular among students who want to pursue a career in the field of law. These courses provide an in-depth understanding of criminal law and justice system, and their impact on society. These can be five-year integrated BA LLB Courses or three-year LLB courses.
Eligibility for BA LLB Courses: Admission to these courses is done either through entrance exams or on a merit basis. CLAT is the most common entrance exam for admission to Bachelor in Criminal Law courses. However, some colleges may also give admission on a merit basis.
The following prerequisites must be met in order for an applicant to enroll in a BA LLB programme:
- A high school diploma (10+2) from an accredited institution is necessary for admission.
- The minimum 10+2 aggregate score required should be 50% (or 45% for reserved categories).
- Students appearing for the 10+2 examinations in 2023 are also eligible to apply for BA LLB 2023 admissions.
Eligibility for LLB Courses: After completing graduation in any course, interested candidates can apply for an LLB program, provided they meet the eligibility criteria as specified by different collages/universities offering it.
- Some of the top ranked BA LLB colleges in India are:
- National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore
- National Law University, New Delhi
- Symbiosis Law School (SLS), Pune
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
- The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), Kolkata
- Lloyd Law College, Greater Noida
- Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar
- Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
- Indian Law School (ILS), Pune
PG Courses in Criminal Law
After graduating with a law degree, one can decide to specialize in criminal law. The Master of Laws (LLM) in Criminal Law is usually one-two year’s post-graduate course. This course provides an in-depth understanding of criminal law, including advanced concepts, legal theories, and research methodologies. Some of the courses offered in India at the PG level are:
- LLM Criminal Law
- LLM Criminal Law and Security Law
- LLM Criminology
- LLM Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Administration
- LLM Crime and Torts
Eligibility: Admission to Master in Criminal Law courses is also done through entrance exams or on the basis of merit. Some of the top entrance exams for admission to these courses include AILET PG, ILI CAT, IPU CET, and CLAT PG, which is conducted on a national level. To be eligible for admission, candidates should have completed their Bachelor's degree with at least 55 percent aggregate marks.
Some of the top law colleges offering Master in Criminal Law courses include:
- Symbiosis Law School (SLS), Pune
- National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
- Faculty of Law, University of Delhi
- National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore
Diploma Courses in Criminal Law
Diploma/PG Diploma courses in Criminal Law are a good option for students who want to save time and money, gain more expertise in a specific area of Criminal Law, and prefer a course-oriented program that helps them join the workforce sooner.
Diploma courses are shorter in duration, usually lasting for one year, and offer specialized knowledge compared to full-time bachelor and master degrees. On the other hand, PG Diploma courses can last for one or two years, and provide more in-depth knowledge in the field of Criminal Law.
Eligibility: While a diploma course can be pursued after completing class 12 or class 10, a PG Diploma course is pursued after completing graduation. Admission to these courses is done on the basis of marks obtained by the student in their previous qualifying exams.
Some popular Diploma courses in the field of Criminal Law are:
- Diploma in Criminal Law- Savitribai Phule Pune University
- Diploma in Criminal Law- Directorate of Distance Education, Madurai Kamaraj University
Top PG Diploma courses in Criminal Law are offered by:
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
- Centre for Distance and Virtual Learning, University of Hyderabad
- Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
Top institutions in India offering Diploma and PG Diploma courses in Criminal Law include:
- Savitribai Phule Pune University
- J.S Rampuria Jain Law College
- Madurai Kamaraj University
When it comes to deciding the outcome of a criminal or civil inquiry or court case, forensic science is one of the most crucial areas of study and expertise. Lloyd Law College offers PG Diploma Courses in Forensic Science to its students in an effort to broaden their horizons in the legal practise and profession.
Certificate Courses in Criminal Law/ Online Criminal Law Courses
These courses cover topics like Career Opportunities & Emerging Areas in Criminal Litigation, Working of the Criminal Justice System, Criminal Drafting, etc. Certificate programs in Criminal Law are available in both online and offline mode. Online courses are becoming increasingly popular and can range in duration from a few hours to a few months.
Certificate programs are designed to provide additional skills to individuals who want to understand the criminal law system or deal with their own criminal cases better. They are also suitable for employees who want to continue working while learning new skills to handle complex issues.
Eligibility: Colleges may consider the Class X or 12 test scores of applicants when making admissions choices. Applicants to these certificate programmes are often not required to take an entrance exam.
Some of the popular Online Certificate Courses in Criminal Law are:
| Certificate Name | Provider | Fees | Duration |
| Certificate Course in Advanced Criminal Litigation & Trial Advocacy | Law Sikho | INR 15,000 | 3 months |
| Introduction to International Criminal Law | Coursera | INR 3,616 | 8 weeks |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | Udemy | INR 6,400 | 11 hours |
Source: https://collegedunia.com/courses/criminal-law
Lloyd Law College, Greater Noida offers constructive and comprehensive certificate courses on various nuances of Criminal Law. The college also has a dedicated centre for criminal law under the name of Lloyd Criminal Practice Centre.
PhD Courses in Criminal Law
Ph.D. in in Criminal Law/Criminology is a three-five year rigorous and challenging program that prepares students for advanced careers in the field of criminology. It includes advanced research and dissertation writing. After completing a Ph.D. in Criminology, graduates can pursue a variety of career options. Many graduates choose to pursue careers in academia as professors or researchers. Others may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private research firms. Some may also work in law enforcement or criminal justice policy. Some of the areas of research that students may focus on in a Ph.D. in Criminology program include:
- Criminal justice policy
- Criminological theory
- Juvenile delinquency
- White-collar crime
- Victimology
- Law enforcement
Eligibility: Candidates should have a master's degree in Law (LL.M) or an equivalent degree from a recognized university or institution. They are typically required to have a minimum of 55-60% marks or an equivalent grade in their master's degree program and are required to appear for an entrance exam conducted by the university or institution offering the program.
Based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2021, the top institutions offering PhD in Criminology in India are:
| College Name | Average Fees |
| University of Madras | INR 10,970 |
| University of Mysore | INR 11,000 |
| Karunya Institute of Technology & Sciences | INR 76,000 |
| Chandigarh University | INR 70,000 |
| KIIT School of Law | N/A |
| Dr. Harisingh Gour University | INR 12,500 |
| NIMS University | INR 60,000 |
| Shri Krishna University | INR 92,333 |
| Raksha Shakti University | INR 58,000 |
Source: https://collegedunia.com/courses/phd-criminology
Fees for Criminal Law Courses in India
The fees for criminal law courses in India vary depending on the course, the college, and the location. On average, the fees for LLB courses in India range from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 2 lakhs per year. The fees for LLM courses in India range from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 3 lakhs per year. The fees for diploma and postgraduate diploma courses in criminal law range from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 50,000 per year.
Conclusion
Courses in criminal law in India give students an introduction to the field as well as a chance to learn about the country's legal system. Popularity of criminal law programmes in India might be attributed to the country's growing need for qualified lawyers. Opportunities for those with a law degree (LLB, LLM, or diploma) are many in the field of criminal law. A rewarding and successful career in criminal law is possible in India with the correct preparation and experience.
References
- https://www.shiksha.com/humanities-social-sciences/ colleges/criminology-colleges-india
- https://collegedunia.com/courses/criminal-law
- https://blog.ipleaders.in/criminal -law-in-india/
- https://www.theforage.com/blog/careers/ what-is-criminal-law
- https://blog.ipleaders.in/top-10-criminal- lawyers-india-makes-stand/
- https://law.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-llm-in- criminology-and-forensic-law-colleges-in-india