Which is Better to Pursue Law? DU or NLU?

A common dilemma faced by students who aspire to pursue law is the choice between DU and NLU. The National Law Universities (NLUs) have set a benchmark in higher education in law. They have established superiority throughout the country with respect to law admissions in India. On the other hand, the Campus Law Centre (CLC) of the University of Delhi (DU) is also among the leading law colleges of the country. The position of both of these institutions is the same and that adds to the confusion of the students who wish to make a career in the field of law after obtaining a degree from any of these law institutes.

This article gives a crisp yet informative insight into these two institutions and some of their basic details. It covers each aspect of these universities so that students can go through every minute detail and make an informed decision.

Law from DU vs Law from NLU: An Overview

The table provided below encompasses the major areas of difference between DU and NLU in terms of pursuing law. The basic parameters of both the options have been put up alongside each other so that the candidate can get a better idea. Small details often turn out to be quite significant while making such important decisions.

Eligibility Criteria for Law from DU

The Campus Law Centre (CLC) of Delhi University has established a set of eligibility criteria that candidates have to meet in order to get admission to any of its courses. It is of extreme importance that candidates go through the eligibility criteria of CLC, DU before proceeding with the application process. The institute is strict when it comes to its admission policy and rejects the application form of any student who fails to produce proof of meeting all the requirements for the programme. The detailed eligibility criteria for law courses at DU have been given below.

DU LL.B. Eligibility Criteria 2020

• The candidates seeking admission to the programme of LLB at DU must be graduates in any stream or discipline.
• The applicant should have completed his/ her undergraduate degree from a university that is established by a State Legislature or by an Act of Parliament. An equivalent national institution which is recognised as a deemed to be university or any foreign university considered to be equivalent in status to an Indian university by the concerned authority is also acceptable.
• Candidates have to ensure that they receive passing marks in all the subjects that they have at the undergraduate level.
• Students who have completed their postgraduate degree are also eligible to apply for LLB admissions at DU.
• The aggregate marks scored by the applicant in graduation should not be less than 50 per cent (or an equivalent grade or CGPA) if they belong to the general category.
• A relaxation of 5 per cent is given to the students who come under the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category and to those general candidates who are wards ex-servicemen, wards of serving personnel, widows, and physically handicapped (PH) students. These students are required to have a minimum of 45 per cent marks in aggregate.
• Students belonging to the SC (Scheduled Caste) or ST (Scheduled Tribe) category should have scored at least 40 per cent marks in their qualifying graduate or postgraduate degree.
• Some seats are reserved for students who have pursued their bachelor’s or master’s degree from the University of Delhi.
• Only after fulfilling these educational requirements will the candidates be allowed to sit for the DU LLB Entrance Exam.

DU LL.M. Eligibility Criteria 2020

• Students who wish to get admission to the LLM programme offered at Delhi University must have an undergraduate degree in law. This could be a three year LLB degree done after a graduate degree or any integrated Bachelor of Law course that is of a duration of five years.
• The applicant should have completed his/ her undergraduate degree from a recognised university or any foreign university that is considered to be equivalent in status to an Indian university by the concerned authority.
• The aggregate marks scored by candidates belonging to the general or OBC category in their qualifying degree should be a minimum of 50 per cent.
• The OBC candidates who belong to the non-creamy layer will be given a relaxation in the minimum eligibility to take the entrance test as well as in the minimum eligibility in the qualifying examination. This benefit is available only to those castes which are mentioned in the Central List of the OBC.
• Students hailing to the categories of SC (Scheduled Caste) or ST (Scheduled Tribe) are given a relaxation of 5 per cent. Therefore, their aggregate score should not be less than 45 per cent.
• A relaxation of 5 per cent is also given to the general candidates who are wards ex-servicemen, wards of serving personnel, widows, and physically handicapped (PH) students. These students are required to have a minimum of 45 per cent marks in aggregate.
• The applicants who meet these requirements will be permitted to appear for the DU LLM Entrance Examination.

Also Read: Law Admission Without National-Level Entrance Exam Score

Eligibility Criteria for law from NLUs

Admission to the National Law Universities (NLUs) is done through the CLAT exam. Candidates aspiring to get admission to one of the 23 NLUs must first go through the eligibility criteria of NLUs. It is imperative for all students to fulfil the eligibility conditions so as to be fit for selection to the course. Each NLU verifies the documents of selected candidates to ensure that they have substantial proof to state their eligibility. Any student who does not meet the law eligibility criteria at NLUs is disqualified and some action might also be taken against him/ her. The NLU eligibility criteria for its undergraduate and postgraduate courses have been given below. All candidates are advised to go through them before filling the application form.

NLU UG Eligibility Criteria 2020

• In order to be eligible for the integrated undergraduate law courses offered at NLUs, students have to complete their higher secondary education.
• The school from which the student obtains his/ her senior secondary education must be affiliated to a central or state board of education.
• The candidate must have compulsorily scored passing marks in all the subjects that he/ she has at the 10 + 2 level.
• Those students who belong to the general, OBC, or physically challenged categories should have scored at least 45 per cent marks in class 12th when taken in aggregate.
• A relaxation of 5 per cent is given in the minimum requirement of marks for the candidates of the SC and ST categories. Hence, they must have no less than 40 per cent marks in class 12th.
• There is no upper age limit for admission to the UG programme offered at NLUs.
• Candidates who are appearing in their final qualifying examinations can also apply. However, they will have to produce evidence of their qualifying the eligibility criteria and passing the examination at the time of admission. If they fail at doing so, they will lose their right to be considered for admission to the course.
• For admission to the course of B.Com LL.B, candidates who cleared their 10 + 2 in the commerce or science stream are eligible.
• Similarly, admission to the B.Sc LL.B programme is open to only those students who completed their class 12th in the science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/ Biology as compulsory subjects.
• There are no specifications regarding the stream of class 12th for B.A. LL.B and BBA LL.B programmes at NLUs.
• Additionally, all applicants have to appear for the CLAT - UG entrance examination.

NLU PG Eligibility Criteria 2020

• Candidates who are interested in pursuing an LLM course from any NLU is required to have an LLB degree or an integrated undergraduate degree in law.
• The aggregate marks scored by the applicants who belong to the category of general, OBC, or physically challenged in their undergraduate degree should not be less than 50 per cent.
• Students who come under the reserved category of SC or ST are given a relaxation of 5 per cent in aggregate marks and thus, they must have at least 45 per cent marks in graduation.
• There is no limit of a candidate’s upper age for applying to CLAT PG.
• Students who are awaiting their final results of the qualifying degree are also eligible to apply. 

Law from DU vs Law from NLU: Key Difference

The primary areas in which the Campus Law Centre, Delhi University and the National Law Universities differ from each other have been listed in the points given below.

• The fee structure of both colleges varies significantly. Pursuing law from DU will cost much less than pursuing law from an NLU.
• In order to get admission to CLC, DU, candidates have to complete their graduation degree first. NLUs allow students to apply right after they have completed their schooling.
• No integrated undergraduate degree is offered at DU and the only UG course provided is LLB. On the other hand, NLUs have a vast range of integrated UG programmes for its students.
• The time taken by a student to complete a bachelor's degree in law from CLC, Delhi University will be six years (three years graduation + three years LLB at DU) while a candidate who enrols in an undergraduate programme at any NLU will complete his/ her degree in just five years.
• The curriculum of law at Delhi University is directed more towards litigation. Therefore, students who wish to go into corporate law should give preference to NLUs.
• The Campus Law Centre has the advantage of being located in the national capital. Students of CLC have easy access to courts and law firms for their internships. Among NLUs, only NLU Delhi can provide a benefit of this kind and students of some NLUs that are not situated in cities that offer good internship opportunities will have to struggle to manage their internships.
• Due to the variety of courses offered at NLUs, the number of companies visiting them for campus placements outruns the total companies that CLC, DU hosts for its placement drive.

Also Read:Top Law Colleges in North India

Both Campus Law Centre, Delhi University and National Law Universities comprise the most premier institutes of law in the country. Students must check every detail and then make a decision after evaluating all the prospects.

Other Popular Law Colleges in India

There are many other private law colleges in India that are known for their quality education and good placement record. Some of them have been listed in the table given below.

While DU Law Faculty and NLUs are widely popular among law aspirants in India, a number of other top law colleges also offer both integrated/undergraduate and postgraduate law courses. These institutes are not only BCI or UGC-approved but are also widely acclaimed for their innovative law curricula. CollegeDekho ensures an effortless registration process by allowing candidates to apply to multiple institutes through a Common Application Form. In case any further help or guidance is required for admission to law colleges in India, one can call the student helpline number 1800-572-9877 or reach out to us on our QnA zone. 

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