- 12
- Sept
TOP LAW COLLEGES IN NORTH INDIA Mon - 12 Sept, 2022
INTRODUCTION
Over the years, the number of students choosing to further their education by studying Law is increasing significantly. Law has been widely regarded as the most advantageous professional track for a considerable time. Those inclined towards studying Law often explore which schools provide the best degree programmes. Students from all over India flock to the elite universities in the North to study Law. Students graduating from law school will have several options for employment due to the varied nature of the legal sector.
There are currently many options for students looking to study Law in India, especially at one of the country's best institutions, be it National Law Universities or budding Law Schools under Private Universities. While there are 23 National Legal Universities (NLUs) in India, prospective students also have access to some of the world's top law College. Five-year integrated LLB programmes (such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, B.Com LLB, BSc LLB, and others), three-year LLB programmes, and master's degrees in Law (LLM one year or two years courses) are all available across law institutions in India. Many would-be lawyers might have already started the application process. Students considering enrolling in one of India's many law schools should look for proper guidance to decide which college to consider for final admission.
What to Seek In a Law College?
Choosing a law school requires careful consideration and research. It is also essential that one gives careful consideration to their available options. Even if one strongly prefers a particular law school, one must weigh others on the scale of certain essential parameters. Before committing to one option over another, there are a few things to consider. A successful legal degree can lead to a wide range of job opportunities. Knowing which would be ideal for a candidate necessitates consideration, inquiry, and review.
Several considerations are essential while picking a law school. One must focus on these critical factors while thinking about deciding on a college for further legal studies post-High School certification:
- Course Structure: It is best to attend a law school with a broad curriculum and a wide range of electives. Thoroughly go through the curriculum’s contents and the various courses offered. In addition, the program must adhere to the requirements set forth by the Bar Council of India for the education of lawyers (BCI).
- Clinical Aspects: Do not limit your perspective to only the theoretical aspect of the syllabus. This idea is relevant because the 'lab' for lawyers is the world outside of college. Look for practical aspects like Legal Aid Clinics, national and international Moot Court opportunities, legal and interdisciplinary seminars and workshops, internship opportunities, and exposure to global legal systems through interaction with legal luminaries, amongst other activities.
- Library Facility: A law school library should have current issues of journals, books, and other sources that cover recent changes in the Law. Electronic resource access should also be part of the library's
- Placements: An outstanding law institution will do all it can to help its students and alums find fulfilling employment in various fields. Research should be done to select colleges on this basis as well.
- Location: A college in the vicinity of one's hometown must appear a comfortable choice, but for a law graduate, being exposed to a rigorous and diverse cultural, political, and academic environment is very important. Colleges within the vicinity of courts will provide better opportunities for frequent court visits and developing legal connections. The Delhi/NCR region students have the locational advantage of attending events where Supreme Court luminaries may also be present. Given the necessity of an internship, students need ready access to moot courts, legal affairs, seminars, conferences, and internship opportunities; hence location should be an essential aspect of considering a law college.
List of Top Ten Law Institutes in North India
To aid this research, here is a compilation of the top ten law schools in northern India:
1. The National University of Delhi, School of Law: NIRF 2022 Ranking- 2
The National Law University of Delhi, popularly known as NLU Delhi, was formed in 2007 and officially opened in 2008. NLU Delhi offers the Bachelor of Arts in Law, Master of Laws, and Doctor of Philosophy in Law degrees. The law School is one of the greatest in northern India, and it is located in the capital city of New Delhi. NLU Delhi will enrol only students who have taken and passed the AILET. The university moot court is relatively large, with room for around 170 people. The law school has a variety of research centers namely, the Centre for Innovation, Intellectual Property and Competition (CIIPC), Centre for Constitutional Law, Policy and Governance, Centre on Death Penalty, etc.
2. Faculty of Law, Jamia Millia Islamia University: NIRF 2022 Ranking- 7
In 1989, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) founded its Faculty of Law. Over time, the School’s offerings expanded from a three-year LLB to more stimulating undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programmes. Students are admitted to Jamia Millia Islamia based on their university entrance examination performance. The Outlook has ranked JMI's law school as one of the nation's top.
3. Faculty of Law, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU): NIRF 2022 Ranking- 12
To enrol students in law school, AMU conducts its own AMU Law Entrance Exam. The AMU Faculty of Law now several members who hold Ph.D.’s in a variety of legal fields. At AMU, students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Laws (Integrated), a Juris Doctor, or a Postgraduate Diploma in a variety of legal areas.
4. National Law Institute University, Bhopal: NIRF 2022 Ranking- 15
In 1997, the National Law Institute University (NLIU) in Bhopal welcomed its first students. Each year, 100 new students are admitted to NLIU based on their CLAT scores. In 2009, the Ministry of Human Resource Development created the Rajiv Gandhi National Cyber Law Center at the law school.
5. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya University of Law, Lucknow: NIRF 2022 Ranking-17
RMLNLU was established in 2005, and classes began the following year, in 2006. The university’s campus encompasses 42 acres. There are 1,500+ students and 150+ faculty and staff members at this university. It admits students who qualify the Common Law Admissions Test (CLAT) and offers B.A. LL.B. (Hons), LL.M., and PhD in Law programmes.
6. Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University: NIRF 2022 Ranking- 20
Established in 1921, the Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is renowned for its legal scholarship. The BHU UET is the separate test set aside for admission to the B.A. LL.B. and LL.M. programmes. At BHU, prospective law students have access to services and resources of the highest calibre.
7. School of Law, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun: NIRF 2022 Ranking- 21
The UPES School of Law is a private UPES constituent school. It is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)l and is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The Week ranked it 21st for Law in 2020. The School currently offers BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), B.Com LLB (Hons), BTech LLB (Hons), LLM, and PhD degrees in a range of legal fields. The School also organises a student exchange programme, online modules, collaborative lectures, and research activities in collaboration with The University of Law, UK.
8. University School of Law & Legal Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi: NIRF 2022 Ranking- 23
In 2001, the University School of Law and Legal Studies in New Delhi was established. It is connected with Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and is approved by the University Grants Commission to offer academic programmes. It currently provides BA-LLB, BBA-LLB, LLM, and Ph.D. programmes, all of which are supervised by knowledgeable academics. These programmes have competitive admissions standards. USLLS New Delhi provides job and internship opportunities with major domestic legal firms.
9. Army Institute of Law, Mohali: NIRF 2022 Ranking- 26
Under the aegis of the Army Welfare Education Society (AWES), the Army Institute of Law, Mohali, Punjab, first opened its doors in 1999. Admission to the Army Institute of Law requires the Army Legal Education Test (AIL LET). Panjab University has provided affiliation status to the institution, and the BCI has validated the college as authentic (Bar Council of India). The Army Institute of Law offers degree programmes such as the Bachelor of Arts in Law and the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.).
10. Indian Law Institute, New Delhi: NIRF 2022 Ranking- 29
In 1956, the Indian Law Center was founded as a Deemed University and socio-legal research center. ILI is a renowned government law institute in India. The Bar Council of India (BCI) has approved it, and it has received NAAC ‘A’ accreditation status. The most popular courses at Indian Law Institute are LLM and Post Graduate Diploma (ILI). The ILI CAT/IPU CET and merit are the admittance criteria for these programmes. In addition to offering a Ph.D. in Law, the university takes UGC NET/ JRF scores into account for admission.
Conclusion
Generally, one must seek the credibility and strength of faculty in an institution. First of all, one must be clear about the reputation of the law college/university. This needs to be done keeping in mind the college's goodwill and its ranking in the placement sector. For instance, even though the prestigious and coveted tag of a National Law University is not attached to Lloyd Law College, Greater Noida, it can be a constructive choice in the Delhi/NCR region of North India, because of the following factor:
- The highly experienced and accomplished faculty;
- Noteworthy accolades garnered by the students in mooting competitions of national and international repute under their able mentorship;
- Dedicated research work undertaken by the Commonwealth Institute of Justice Education and Research (CIJER) wing facilitated by the college.
All the above points stand testimony to the fact that with a reputed faculty, excellent mentorship, and active mooting culture, as well as continuous research endeavors, an institution can add not only theoretical value to the degree but fortify it with the development of much needed clinical and intensive research aptitude in the students.
References:
- https://www.careerindia.com/colleges/top-law-colleges-in-india-tc12.html
- https://www.shiksha.com/law/articles/top-10-law-colleges-in-north-india-blogId-11367
- https://law.careers360.com/colleges/ranking
- https://collegedunia.com/law/delhi-ncr-colleges
- https://www.collegedekho.com/articles/top-law-colleges-north-india/
- https://www.rnbglobal.edu.in/blog/choose-good-law-college-in-north-india/11052022
- https://www.quora.com/Which-are-the-best-universities-for-law-in-North-India
- https://manavrachna.edu.in/blog/choose-right-law-school/
- https://blog.ipleaders.in/choosing-law-school-india/