LLB Course is a popular undergraduate degree which can be pursued after class 12th as an integrated 5 year LLB course or within 3 years after getting a UG degree. CLAT is the most widely taken LLB entrance exam which offers admission to several NLUs. Some top state-level entrance exams for LLB include MH CET Law, TS LAWCET, AP LAWCET, etc.
LLB, also known as the Bachelor of Legislative Law, is an undergraduate degree course that equips students for a profession in law. The course typically spans three or five years and LLB Syllabus covers important legal subjects like jurisprudence, criminal law, civil law, constitutional law, etc. The time period for the course lasts three years if it's an independent LLB and five years if it's an integrated law course like BA LLB, BCA LLB, BCom LLB or BBA LLB.
For a three-year LLB course, the main requirement is a bachelor's degree in any field with marks ranging from 45-50% or higher. To join a five-year integrated LLB course, students must have finished their 10+2 schooling and obtained marks of at least 45-50%. The way to get admitted includes taking exams like CLAT, LSAT and AILET. Although, there are institutes that provide admission to 3-year and 5-year LLB based on merit in the qualifying exam.
Some of the best colleges for Bachelor of Law are NLU Delhi, NLSIU, University of Delhi, Government Law College in Mumbai and Indian Law Society Law College in Pune. LLB jobs you can do after finishing the course include corporate lawyer, legal advisor, family lawyer, civil lawyer and criminal lawyer. The average LLB salary range is from INR 3 LPA to INR 20 LPA with top recruiters such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, KPMG, and other reputed law firms.
A quick overview of the Bachelor of Law (LLB) course, including the course outline, duration, required entrance tests, course fees, and top employers, is shown in the table below:
Particulars | Description |
---|---|
Course Name | Bachelor of Laws or LLB |
Duration | 3 or 5 years |
Eligibility Criteria | 5 year LLB - 10+2 with at least 50% marks 3 year LLB - Graduation with 50% marks |
Course Fee | INR 1,00,000 - INR 15,00,000 |
Average Annual Salary | INR 3,00,000 - INR 12,00,000 |
Admission Process | Entrance exam or merit-based |
Curriculum | Legal system, contract law, tort law, legal research, legal writing, and more |
Teaching Methodology | Classroom lectures, case studies, moot courts, seminars, and internships |
Skills Gained | Analytical thinking, problem-solving, legal writing, research, communication, negotiation, and more |
Career Options | Advocate, legal advisor, public prosecutor, solicitor, corporate lawyer, and more |
Higher Education | LLM, PhD, and other postgraduate courses in law |
Top LLB Colleges | NLSIU, NALSAR, Delhi University, Symbiosis Law School, Jindal Global Law School, etc. |
Top Bachelor of Law Recruiters | Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB & Partners, Tata Group, Reliance Industries, Wipro, National Human Rights Commission, Supreme Court of India, High Courts, District Courts, Pangea3, CPA Global, etc. |
The eligibility criteria for 3 year LLB and 5 year LLB is explained below:
Education Qualification: A 3-year graduation degree in any faculty with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
Age Limit: No age limit is prescribed.
Education Pattern: 10+2+3 education pattern.
Other Conditions: Graduates from open universities with preparatory exams are also eligible to apply.
Education Qualification: 10th and 12th standard examination.
Age Limit: No age limit is prescribed.
Education Pattern: 10+2 education pattern.
Other Conditions: Candidates must have passed 10+2 with an aggregate of 50% marks (general category), 40% (SC/ ST category) from a recognized board or university
The admission process for 3-year and 5-year LLB is a bit different and is as follows:
Here's how to apply for 3-year LLB course:
Eligibility: Bachelor's degree with 45% - 50% minimum marks.
Application: Apply for 3-year LLB entry exams like MH CET Law, TS LAWCET, etc. OR apply on merit basis (bachelor’s degree aggregate scores taken into consideration for admission and no entrance test is conducted.)
Result: Obtain required scores in the entrance test OR get shortlisted based on merit in your previous examination.
Counseling: Attend counseling based on entrance test rank or merit based ranking.
Confirm Seat: Get your seat confirmed by paying the admission fee.
Here's how to apply for five-year integrated LLB course:
Eligibility: 10+2 with minimum marks of 50%.
Application: Apply online for various law entrance tests through respective official websites.
Entrance Exam: Appear for entrance tests like CLAT, AILET, LSAT India, etc.
Result: Achieve the required scores to get selected for further admission process.
Counseling: Attend counseling based on entrance test rank.
Seat Confirmation: Lock your seat during the seat allotment process, and pay the required admission fee.
There are two main types of law entrance tests in India for LLB courses: 3-year LLB and 5-year LLB.
The 3-year law entrance tests are conducted by various universities and law colleges across India. Some of the popular 3-year LLB entrance tests include:
LSAT India
MH Law CET
AP LAWCET
TS LAWCET
CUET for 3-year LLB
KLEE, etc.
The 5-year law entrance tests are conducted for admission to integrated law programs that combine undergraduate and postgraduate law studies. Some of the popular 5-year LLB entrance tests include:
Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
All India Law Entrance Test (AILET)
National Law Aptitude Test (NLAT)
Symbiosis Law Admission Test (SLAT)
Law School Admission Test for India (LSAT India)
SLAT
AMU Law Entrance test
LFAT, etc.
The eligibility criteria and exam patterns for 3-year LLB and 5-year LLB entrance tests vary depending on the conducting body. However, all exams typically assess the candidate's knowledge of English language, legal aptitude, reasoning ability, and general knowledge.
Here’s the schedule for all the important 3-year and 5-year law entrance exams that will be conducted in 2024:
Entrance Exam | Registration Date | Exam Date |
---|---|---|
CLAT 2024 | Closed | December 1, 2024 |
AILET 2024 | August 1, 2024 (Start) | December 8, 2024 |
LSAT India 2024 (for May 2024 session) | Closed | May 16 - 19, 2024 |
MH CET Law | Closed | March 12 - 13, 2024 - for 3 year LLB
May 30, 2024 0 for 5 year LLB |
CUET | Closed | For 3-year LLBs: March 11 - 28, 2024 For 5-year LLBs: May 15 - 31, 2024 |
TS LAWCET | Closed | June 3, 2024 |
AP LAWCET | Closed | June 9, 2024 |
KLEE | Closed | March 30 and 31, 2024 (Phase 3 exam) |
SLAT | Closed | May 5 & 11, 2024 |
A generalised LLB syllabus and subjects for 3-year and 5-year LLB are mentioned below:
Securing the top position among private law colleges, SLS Pune has experienced a shift from third to sixth place in this year's rankings. According to the NIRF 2023 rankings, Siksha O Anusandhan is the second-best private law college, improving by one position to now hold the eighth spot nationally. Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Christ University, and Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy also feature among the top 15 private law colleges.
Name of Law College | City | State | NIRF Ranking 2023 |
---|---|---|---|
Symbiosis Law School, Pune | Pune | Maharashtra | 6 |
Siksha `O` Anusandhan | Bhubaneswar | Odisha | 8 |
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 11 |
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology | Bhubaneswar | Odisha | 12 |
Christ University | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 13 |
Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy | Thanjavur | Tamil Nadu | 15 |
Lovely Professional University | Phagwara | Punjab | 16 |
Indian Law Institute | New Delhi | Delhi | 17 |
Amity University Haryana, Gurgaon | Gurugram | Haryana | 23 |
Alliance University | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 25 |
Army Institute of Law, Sector-68 | Mohali | Punjab | 26 |
Nirma University | Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 27 |
Manipal University Jaipur | Jaipur | Rajasthan | 29 |
In the NIRF law colleges ranking 2023, NLSIU Bangalore and NLU Delhi maintain their top positions, with NALSAR Hyderabad reclaiming the third spot. WBNUJS Kolkata secures the fourth position, while JMI University Delhi and GNLU Gujarat attain the fifth and seventh positions, respectively. IIT Kharagpur, previously the sixth best law college, now holds the ninth position. Notably, NLU Jodhpur, a consistent top 10 performer, did not participate in this year's ranking. A few of the top government law colleges in India are as follows:
Name of Law College | City | State | NIRF Ranking 2023 |
---|---|---|---|
National Law School of India University | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 1 |
National Law University | New Delhi | Delhi | 2 |
NALSAR University of Law | Hyderabad | Telangana | 3 |
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences | Kolkata | West Bengal | 4 |
Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi | New Delhi | Delhi | 5 |
Gujarat National Law University | Gandhinagar | Gujarat | 7 |
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | Kharagpur | West Bengal | 9 |
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University | Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 10 |
Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh | Uttar Pradesh | 14 |
National Law Institute University, Bhopal | Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | 18 |
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University | New Delhi | Delhi | 19 |
The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala | Patiala | Punjab | 20 |
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow | Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 21 |
Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | 22 |
National University of Study & Research in Law | Ranchi | Jharkhand | 24 |
National Law University and Judicial Academy | Kamrup | Assam | 28 |
National Law University | Cuttack | Odisha | 30 |
Students have alternative pathways to gain entry into undergraduate law programs, bypassing national entrance exams like CLAT. Options include admission based on merit, where private colleges consider 10+2 exam scores. University-level entrance exams provide a direct entry route into specific colleges. Additionally, students can secure admission through the management quota in private and autonomous colleges, which allocate a percentage of seats through a unique process that may involve a separate 'donation' amount in addition to regular college fees.
Several colleges admit students to their law programs based on merit and class 12/ graduation performance. Admission to courses like LLB, Integrated LLB, etc., in these institutions relies on class 12/ graduation marks. For students who choose not to take an entrance exam or did not qualify and wish to avoid a gap year, admission opportunities are available in the following colleges:
Institute Name | Course | Location |
---|---|---|
Teerthanker Mahaveer University |
| Uttar Pradesh
|
Sandip University |
| Maharashtra |
Sage University |
| Madhya Pradesh |
KL University (KLU), Guntur |
| Andhra Pradesh |
JECRC University |
| Rajasthan |
Dr. K.N Modi University |
| Rajasthan |
Bhai Gurdas Group Of Institutions |
| Punjab |
Amity University |
| West Bengal, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh |
Alliance University |
| Karnataka |
Aspiring students aiming for direct entry into law colleges without undergoing entrance exams can explore institutions featuring a management quota system. Private and autonomous colleges allocate a percentage of seats through this quota. To secure admission via the management quota, students are required to contribute a 'donation' amount in addition to standard college fees. The specific donation amount varies among colleges, with higher-ranking institutions typically having a higher management quota fee. Admission decisions under the management quota are entirely at the discretion of the college based on their selection criteria.
Institute Name | Location |
---|---|
Symbiosis Law School | Maharashtra |
Manikchand Law College | Maharashtra |
M.S. Ramaiah College of Law | Karnataka |
Lovely Professional University | Punjab |
KIIT School of Law | Bhubaneswar |
Jindal Global Law School | Haryana |
IMS Law College | Delhi |
ICFAI Law School | Hyderabad |
DY Patil College | Maharashtra |
Christ University | Karnataka |
Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, New Law College | Maharashtra |
Army Institute of Law | Punjab |
Amity Law College | Delhi |
In India, there are primarily two types of LLB courses as mentioned below:
Duration: 3 years
Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline
Common choice for those seeking a foundational legal education after completing their bachelor's degree.
Duration: 5 years
Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent
Designed for students right after their senior secondary education, combining undergraduate and legal studies.
Check out the table below that outlines key differences between a 3 year LLB and a 5 year Integrated LLB course:
Parameters | 3-Year LLB Course | 5-Year LLB Course |
---|---|---|
Duration | 3 years | 5 years |
Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor's degree in any discipline | 10+2 or equivalent with an aggregate marks of 50% or above |
Curriculum | Focuses on core law subjects | Includes core law subjects as well as subjects from other disciplines like BA, B.Com, BBA, B.Sc, etc. |
Entrance Exam | Merit based as well as Entrance Exam based | Entrance exam based. A few of the Entrance exams conducted are CLAT, AILET, LSAT, CUET DU LLB, MH CET Law, etc. |
Internships | Limited opportunities for internships due to the short duration | More opportunities for internships as the course is longer |
Course Orientation | Suitable for individuals who want to switch careers or gain legal knowledge | Suitable for individuals who want to pursue a career in law |
Scope | Offers limited scope for specialization. Specializations can only be done in LLM after a 3-year LLB course. | Offers the opportunity to specialize in specific areas of law like Cyber law, International Trade law, etc. |
Age Limit | No maximum age limit | Minimum age limit is 18 years and there is no maximum age limit to pursue the course. |
Some of the most in-demand law specialisations in 2024 and beyond are listed below for your knowledge and better understanding:
IPR Laws (Intellectual Property Rights): This is a high demand area, with more requirement for lawyers in trademark registration, copyright cases and patent grants. It also offers scope for academics and research purposes.
Corporate Law: This area of expertise is quite lucrative, and it presents job openings in law firms - especially those dealing with merger and acquisition, competition law as well as the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Academically, this field also provides chances for teaching jobs while enabling a person to have their own practice too.
Criminal Law: There is a high demand for this specialisation because it deals with lawyers in litigation and public prosecution. It also provides chances for academics and legal consulting.
Cyber Law: This area of focus is pertinent in our current technology-oriented society and provides chances for work in cybercrime and associated legal matters.
Law of Intellectual Property: This focus is useful because India increasingly recognizes the significance of intellectual property rights, especially in technology and business areas.
Human Rights: This field has a growing demand for lawyers involved in human rights activism, research and policy analysis.
Environmental Law: A specialty that's becoming more crucial as people become more aware of environmental matters and the requirement for lawyers who comprehend this area.
Law of Taxation: This specific field of law is becoming more popular because tax laws are getting complex and there are requirements for lawyers in taxation as well as financial services.
Civil Law: This specialisation is a basic and foundational domain of law. It presents chances in many legal areas, such as business law, family law, property law, contract disputes and more.
Here’s a list of some of the most pursued courses after completion of LLB in India:
Here's the list of some of the best diploma courses in law:
Upon completing LLB in India, graduates can pursue diverse career paths. Traditional roles include advocacy, solicitation, and legal advisory positions. Opportunities extend to the public sector, with roles in government legal departments, the judiciary, and public prosecution. Corporate positions as legal counsels, specializing in areas like criminal or intellectual property law, are common.
Alternatives include legal research, academia, policy advocacy, and entrepreneurship. Further education, such as an LLM or judicial service exams, allows for specialization and career advancement. Law in India offers graduates a multitude of impactful and fulfilling professional avenues.
Listed below are some of the best jobs after LLB that graduates can pursue in various sectors along with good pay:
Job Title | Description | Average Salary (INR) |
---|---|---|
1. Advocate | Represents clients in courts, drafts legal documents, and advises on legal matters. | 3.5 Lakhs |
2. Government Services | Works in various government departments, including legislative counsel, legal advisors, and public prosecutors. | 14 Lakhs |
3. Lawyer | Practices law in courts, advises clients, and drafts legal documents. | 5.2 Lakhs |
4. Legal Advisor | Provides legal advice to companies, governments, or individuals. | 3.86 Lakhs |
5. Judge | Presides over court proceedings, interprets laws, and makes judgments. | 11 Lakhs |
6. Lecturer | Teaches law at colleges, universities, or law schools. | 1.5 Lakhs |
7. Private Companies | Works as legal advisors, compliance officers, or in-house counsel for private companies. | 5.9 Lakhs |
8. Higher Education | Pursues higher studies in law, such as LLM, PhD, or research work. | INR 5 - 9 Lakhs |
9. Writer Of Law Books/Reports/Journalist | Writes law books, reports, or articles for publications. | 6.9 Lakhs |
10. Legal Analyst | Conducts legal analysis for law firms, corporate firms, or government agencies. | 5.2 Lakhs |
11. Real Estate Lawyer | Specialises in real estate law, advising on property transactions and disputes. | 5.0 Lakhs |
12. Civil Lawyer | Handles civil cases, including property disputes, contracts, and torts. | 4.0 Lakhs |
13. Intellectual Property Lawyer | Specialises in intellectual property law, advising on patents, trademarks, and copyrights. | 4.0 Lakhs |
14. Litigator | Represents clients in court, conducting legal research and drafting legal documents. | 3.5 Lakhs |
15. Notary Public | Authenticates documents, takes oaths, and performs other notarial duties. | 4.0 Lakhs |
Some of the popular LLB recruiters are listed below for your knowledge and consideration:
The 3-year LLB course in India is an undergraduate law program offered by various universities and colleges. The program is designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of Indian law and legal systems, including constitutional law, and civil law. Students who have completed a bachelor's degree in any field can pursue this course. The curriculum consists of classroom lectures, seminars, and practical training in moot courts, legal aid clinics, and internships. After graduation, students can pursue careers in legal practice, government service, public policy, and other related fields.
No, candidates cannot complete an LLB degree in one year. The Bar Council of India recognizes only the three-year and five-year LLB degree programmes in India. The BCI does not approve either one-year or two-year LLB programmes in India.
If you are certain that you want to pursue a profession in law directly after your class 12th, the 5-year LLB degree is your best option. In addition to providing you with academic legal information, a five-year LLB programme will guide you through practical work such as moot courts, clinical internships, industry visits, etc. that will improve your experiential learning.
LLB, or Bachelor of Legislative Law, is a 3- or 5-year undergraduate law programme that can be pursued after graduation or class 12, respectively. The Bachelor of Legislative Law is a core legal course that instructs students on the techniques that are used in the legal field.
The starting salary for LLB graduates vary depending on various factors like whether they have completed a three-year or five-year LLB programme, their legal skills and know-how, nature of the job profile, company reputation, etc. The starting salary for five-year LLB graduates is comparatively higher than three-year LLB graduates due to the fact that the five-year integrated LLB programme is more advanced and it teaches law candidates about two different streams combined into one curriculum along with crucial practical works like clinical internships, moot court sessions, industrial visits, among others. All these factors make a five-year LLB course superior to a 3-year LLB course which is based more on the theoretical aspect of legal knowledge.
The average annual starting salary after completing an LLB degree (three-year or five-year) ranges from INR 3 LPA to INR 13 LPA.
LLB is not a particularly challenging course to take compared to other professional programmes like BTech and MBBS, whether it is a three or five year programme, however, the curriculum for the five-year integrated LLB programme is vast along with a lot of practical work which requires dedication, commitment and hard work on candidate’s part in order for them to score well in their graduation.
The LLB degree has a larger range of job options than it first looks because it also covers a wide range of legal fields, including labor law, constitutional law, corporate law, tort law, human rights and international law, and international trade law. Following an LLB or integrated LLB (such a BA LLB, BBA LLB, etc.), candidates can pursue job options in the public and private sectors. Additionally, students have the option to launch their own independent law practice after earning the necessary experience working as an intern for a reputable law company or legal consultant.
Moreover, candidates can also move towards pursuing an LLM degree to further their legal skills and legal know-how. Pursuing an LLM degree will allow them to work as professors, researchers while increasing their annual pay with gain in work experience.
There are a plethora of top institutes both public and private that offer three-year as well as five-year integrated LLB degrees. A few of them are mentioned below:
Each university has its own requirements for admission to a bachelor of law programme. The following are the requirements for eligibility to enroll in the Bachelor of Law Program; nevertheless, the general standard or prerequisite does not change.
Some popular private colleges to pursue LLB are Shobhit University, Meerut, Sri Sukhmani Group of Institutions, Mohali, SAGE University, Indore, Sanskriti University, Mathura, Lloyd Law College, Greater Noida, Amity University, Noida, Kalinga University, Chattisgarh etc.
Yes, after completing either a 3-year or a 5-year integrated LLB course, a candidate is allowed to practice as a lawyer in India.
No, it's not necessary to pursue an LLM postgraduate degree after completing LLB course. However, if you are willing to extend your law career with a particular specialization then you should definitely go with an LLM degree. The LLM degree programme not only enhances your legal skills but also provides you with better career opportunities and a decent starting salary in the field of law.
1. Public Prosecutor 2. Standing Counsel 3. Legal experts 4. Judge and many more.
Yes, there is a lateral entry point and it is known as JAG (Judge Advocate General).
BL is short for Bachelor of Laws degree. This short form is more prevalent in Southern regions of India.
Yes, as per BCI recommendation, it is compulsory.
Yes, some universities offer a bundled course work but it is advisable that the student gets some professional training and experience before choosing LLM.
LL.B is an entitlement degree by nature the very possession of LL.B degree entitles you to practise as a lawyer. However, every country conforms to different legal systems and that is where the difference in legal education in India and abroad differs the most. Usually, you would not be allowed to practise if your degree is from a foreign legal system but some countries share their basic structure of legal administration and therefore allow students to cross jurisdictions for legal practise.