23,March 2023
Introduction
In recent years, many have chosen to pursue a legal career in India due to its longstanding reputation for social impact and regard. Competition for law school admissions has intensified over the years, and there are now more law degree programmes to pick from. The legal education system in India provides students with numerous opportunities to pursue their interests and advance their careers, ranging from integrated undergraduate degrees such as BA LLB and BBA LLB to specialised postgraduate degrees in Cyber law, Criminal law, Business law, Taxation law, and Intellectual Property Rights, among others.
This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the types of law degree programmes offered in India, the entrance exams required for admission, and the lucrative career opportunities that await law graduates.
Pursuing Law in India
It is a favourable spell to be a law aspirant in today’s day and age, given the abundance of prospects in numerous legal professions. As a law graduate, you have numerous job opportunities, including working in courts, corporate firms, government departments, ministries, becoming a judge or public prosecutor, and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (B.L.S.) projects a faster-than-average 10% increase in legal employment from 2021 to 2031, indicating a bright future for law students in India.
Law students can come from any academic background. Students who wish to pursue a career in law post their high school often enrol in the Humanities or Commerce streams. Subjects like Political Science, Legal Studies, Economics, History, and Psychology can give a solid basis for the subjects taught at law schools and provide vital insight into India’s legal system. Nevertheless, other streams, such as Science, are also acceptable.
To excel in this field, one must possess good communication skills, strong logical and analytical abilities, attention to detail, and self-confidence.
In India, law schools provide a range of courses at various levels, allowing students to select the programme that best meets their interests and future goals. The eligibility requirements for these courses may vary, with a minimum aggregate score of 45% necessary for entrance to undergraduate courses and a law P.G. degree with a minimum aggregate score of 55% for PhD courses.
Law Degree Programmes in India
If you are considering pursuing a career in law, it is important to be aware of the different types of law degrees and specialisations available. In India, students willing to embark upon a career in law have two options for pursuing a degree in law- the five-year integrated law degree and the three-year L.L.B.
Five-Year Integrated Law Degree
The five-year integrated law degree is a comprehensive undergraduate law degree program that is usually offered in conjunction with a bachelor’s degree in various streams, including Arts, Humanities, Commerce, Science, or Engineering.
Different Courses offered in the Five-Year Integrated Undergraduate Program
| Law Degree | Description |
| BA LLB | BA LLB combines law education with B.A. subjects, including humanities, social sciences, languages, and literature. |
| BBA LLB | BBA LLB integrates L.L.B. with business and corporate administration. Students learn about legal issues in the corporate world. |
| BCA LLB | BCA LLB combines law education with studying computer applications and information technology. Students get a grasp of cyber law and other technologically related legal issues in this course. |
| B.Com L.L.B. | B.Com L.L.B. is designed for students who want to pursue both commerce and law education. Commercial studies like Accounting are covered in the B.Com L.L.B. programme. All the law courses (Intellectual Property Law, Environmental Law, Tort Law, Company Law, Legal Writing, etc.) are included, as well as Business Law, Economics, and Taxation. |
| B.Tech L.L.B. | B.Tech L.L.B. combines technical education with the study of law subjects. This degree program is ideal for intellectual property and patent law students. |
| B.Sc L.L.B. | B.Sc L.L.B. combines science education with law subjects, emphasizing legal aspects of Science and technology, including environmental law and patent law. |
Three-Year L.L.B.
Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) is a three-year undergraduate degree program. After finishing an undergraduate degree in another discipline, students interested in pursuing legal education may enrol in a simple three-year L.L.B. or L.L.B. (Honors). In the L.L.B. degree programme, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of law. On the other hand, an L.L.B. (Honors) degree provides extensive and thorough knowledge of each subject. It allows one to specialise in and gain expertise in a particular subject area.
Lloyd Law College and Lloyd School of Law, Greater Noida, offer BA LLB, B.Com L.L.B., and L.L.B. courses that produce industry-ready professionals. With excellent faculty, international exposure, a strong alum base, reputed internships, and rich mooting culture, Lloyd provides a comprehensive education. Furthermore, the colleges’ innovative and skill-based certificate programs, designed in partnership with industry experts from across the globe, provide students with a unique opportunity to develop specialised knowledge and skill sets highly sought-after by employers.
Basic Requirements
The following table distinguishes between the basic requirements to pursue a five-year integrated law degree and a three-year L.L.B. degree in India. Criteria may vary from college to college or state to state from time to time.
| Requirements | 5-year Integrated L.L.B. | Three-year L.L.B. |
| Educational Qualification | Class 12th pass from a recognised board with minimum 45-50% marks | Bachelor’s degree in any stream with minimum 45-50% marks |
| Age Limit | Any prospective candidate must be at least 17 years old as of the application deadline to be considered. | Eligible after completing graduation form a recognised university or equivalent. |
| Admission Exam | CLAT, AILET, LSAT-India, S.E.T. or other state-level law entrance exams | Law entrance exams conducted by respective colleges/universities or state-level law entrance exams. |
| Course Curriculum | Combination of law subjects and other disciplines like Arts, Commerce, Science, etc. | Only law subjects |
Popular Law Entrance Exams
Most colleges in India require the aspirants to sit for national, state, or institutional entrance examinations. Some of the most important and popular law entrance exams (national, state, and institution level) for law admission in India are:
- Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
- All India Law Entrance Test (AILET)
- Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
- Symbiosis Entrance Test (S.E.T.) Law
- Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (M.H. C.E.T.) Law
- Andhra Pradesh Common Law Entrance Test (AP LAWCET)
- Telangana State Law Common Entrance Test (TS LAWCET)
- Banaras Hindu University Undergraduate Entrance Test (BHU UET) for L.L.B.
Higher Education Options in Law
After completing a Bachelor’s degree in law, candidates can pursue a postgraduate law degree, such as L.L.M. (Master of Laws). L.L.M. offers specialisations in fields such as Business Law, Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Duties Education, Intellectual Property Law, and more.
Here is a table providing the list of certain specialisation options available for law graduates willing to pursue an L.L.M. degree program:
| L.L.M. Specialization | Description |
| Business Law | It focuses on the legal aspects of the business environment and covers areas such as contract law, taxation, and commercial transactions. |
| Human Rights | Includes laws relating to human rights and aims to promote awareness and protection of human rights. |
| Constitutional Law | It focuses on the Indian constitution, laws relating to protecting human rights, and the duties of citizens. |
| Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Administration | Covers laws relating to crime, criminal procedures, and the administration of criminal justice. |
| Labour Law and Administrative Law | Teaches laws relating to labour, employment, and industrial relations, as well as administrative law and procedures. |
| Intellectual Property Law | Deals with copyright laws, patents, trademarks, and other forms of intellectual property. |
| Environmental Law | Includes laws relating to the environment, including conservation, pollution control, and sustainable development. |
| Taxation Law | Focuses on laws relating to taxation, including direct and indirect taxes and tax planning. |
| International Law | It covers laws that govern relations between different countries and international organisations. |
Apart from L.L.M., candidates can also pursue a Master of Business Law (M.B.L.), which focuses on commercial legal elements and essential business skills.
Another higher studies option open to law graduates is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law, a three-year doctoral research to specialise in law.
Additionally, there are integrated courses like Master of Business Laws/Master of Business Administration L.L.M. (MBL-LLM/MBA-LLM), which are three-year double degree courses specialising in business law. Since 1994, the Master of Business Law (M.B.L.) has been the flagship distance education programme at NLSIU, Bangalore. Graduates of these courses can pursue various careers, such as law officers, legal advisors, chief financial officers, corporate lawyers, taxation lawyers, legal researchers, etc.
Career Options after a Degree in Law
The legal profession is vast and diverse, offering a multitude of career options for law graduates. The field of law is not just limited to the traditional courtroom battles but extends to several areas, including corporate law, public policy, government, academia and more.
After completing a degree in law, candidates can opt for various job profiles based on their interests and career goals, such as:
- Legal Counsel: The primary function of an in-house Legal Counsel is to assist high-ranking company leaders on legal concerns. Legal counsels provide legal safeguards and protections to ensure that the corporation works ethically. This position is in high demand because it provides good access to company leadership and a comprehensive understanding of all facets of business operations.
- Government Lawyer: Government lawyers represents government bodies such as regulatory agencies and policy committees as a government attorney. The possibility for growth and participation in public service organisations make this a highly desirable profession.
- Legal Advisor: Legal advisors work with individuals and companies and help them navigate the complex legal landscape. This job profile requires excellent communication skills and a strong understanding of legal concepts.
- Corporate Lawyer: Corporate lawyers work with businesses to ensure they comply with the defined rules and regulations, ensuring that negotiations and transactions run smoothly and the company’s interests are protected. This job profile is highly in demanding and requires a thorough understanding of corporate law. Some of the top recruiters in India are Trilegal, Amarchand and Mangaldas and Suresh A Shroff Co., S & R Associates, Khaitan and Co., Desai and Diwanji, A.Z.B. and Partners, Talwar Thakore and Associates, Luthra and Luthra Law Offices, among others.
- Academic Teaching: Individuals with an LLM frequently find employment in higher education institutions, lecturing students on legal matters. They also conduct research and publish articles for legal journals. Academic teaching in India requires qualifying the National Eligibility Test (NET) after completing LLM and acquiring a PhD degree post that.
- Compliance Officer: Compliance officers help ensure that organizations operate within legal and ethical boundaries and are responsible for developing policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
- Mediation and Arbitration: Mediators and arbitrators help individuals and businesses resolve disputes outside of court. They facilitate negotiations between parties and help them reach a mutually acceptable solution.
- Legal Journalism: Journalists in the legal field report on developments in the law, as well as issues and developments in the field, for newspapers, magazines, and online legal portals. They are responsible for conducting research, publishing articles, conducting interviews with legal experts, and analysing legal developments. For those with a passion for research, writing, and analysis of complex legal matters, a career as a legal content writer can also be highly satisfying. Legal writers may work for law firms, legal publishing houses, or universities.
- Policy Analyst: The government, think tanks, and other organisations hire policy analysts to evaluate existing policies and propose new ones. The areas of criminal justice reform, immigration, and environmental regulation are just a few instances in which legal expertise can be particularly valuable in influencing public policy.
Conclusion
Graduates with a law degree are free to pursue any number of legal specializations that spark their interest. Whether it is a five-year integrated law degree, a three-year L.L.B., or the various postgraduate programmes in law, the Indian legal education system offers a comprehensive learning experience to aspiring law professionals. From practising law in a courtroom and providing legal counsel to corporations to working in the government sector, a degree in law provides a solid foundation for a successful and rewarding career.
References
- https://collegedunia.com/courses/law
- https://www.mindler.com/blog/law-career-in-india/
- https://law.careers360.com/articles/10-best- colleges-in-india-study-law-fsa
- https://www.careers360.com/courses/law-course
- https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/ career-development/how-to-become-lawyer
- https://law.careers360.com/articles/ different-types-of-law-degrees#toc_0
- https://www.collegedekho.com/articles/ 3-year-llb-or-5-year-llb-integrated- which-is-a-better-course/